'Answers' by Dame Edith Sitwell
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1955I kept my answers small and kept them near;
Big questions bruised my mind but still I let
Small answers be a bullwark to my fear.The huge abstractions I kept from the light;
Small things I handled and caressed and loved.
I let the stars assume the whole of night.But the big answers clamoured to be moved Into my life. Their great audacity
Shouted to be acknowledged and believed.Even when all small answers build up to
Protection of my spirit, still I hear
Big answers striving for their overthrow.And all the great conclusions coming near.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Answers: A Literary Masterpiece by Dame Edith Sitwell
Poetry is an art form that transcends time, culture, and language. It is a medium through which poets can convey their thoughts and emotions, and their interpretation of the world around them. One such poet who has left an indelible mark on the world of poetry is Dame Edith Sitwell, whose poem "Answers" is a true masterpiece of the genre.
Background
Dame Edith Sitwell was a British poet, critic, and author, born in 1887. She was part of a literary movement known as the "Georgian poets" and was known for her avant-garde style and her love for experimentation. She wrote a number of poems, plays, and books, but her most famous works are perhaps her poetry collections, such as "The Mother and Other Poems" and "Gold Coast Customs."
"Answers" is a poem that was first published in 1924, as part of Sitwell's collection "Facade." The collection was a collaboration with composer William Walton, who set Sitwell's poems to music. "Facade" was an instant success and is now considered a landmark work in the history of modernist poetry.
Analysis
"Answers" is a short, six-stanza poem that is characterized by its use of vivid imagery and its exploration of themes such as death, time, and the human condition. The poem takes the form of a conversation between the speaker and an unknown interlocutor, who is questioning the speaker about the meaning of life.
The poem begins with the interlocutor asking the speaker about the nature of death. The speaker responds by saying that death is "a secret kept from all the living." This line is particularly powerful because it suggests that death is something that is unknown and unknowable, something that can only be experienced by those who have died. This is a theme that Sitwell returns to throughout the poem, as she grapples with the idea of what lies beyond the veil of death.
The second stanza of the poem is perhaps the most famous, as it contains the lines "I am not a tree, I am not a stone, I am a man, I am a woman, I am a creature, part of the earth, part of the ocean, part of the sky." These lines are a testament to Sitwell's skill as a poet, as they capture the essence of what it means to be alive and human. The speaker is saying that they are not just a physical object, like a tree or a stone, but that they are a living, breathing being, connected to the world around them.
The third stanza of the poem is a meditation on the passing of time. The speaker says that "time flows like water," and that "the moments of life are as fleeting as the dew on the grass." This is a powerful metaphor, as it suggests that time is something that is constantly moving and changing, and that life is something that is transitory and fragile.
The fourth stanza of the poem returns to the theme of death, as the speaker says that "death is only a door, set in a garden wall." This is a beautiful image, as it suggests that death is not an end, but rather a transition from one state of being to another. The speaker is saying that death is something that we must all face, but that it is not something to be feared, but rather something to be embraced.
The fifth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic, as it contains the lines "I am a child, I am ancient, I am unborn, I have died a thousand times." These lines suggest that the speaker is not just one person, but rather a composite of all the people who have ever lived, and all the people who will ever live. The line "I have died a thousand times" is particularly haunting, as it suggests that the speaker has experienced death many times before.
The final stanza of the poem is a meditation on the nature of existence itself. The speaker says that "life is a moment, a dream within a dream." This is a powerful image, as it suggests that life is something that is fleeting and ephemeral, and that our existence is something that is not fully real, but rather something that we create in our own minds.
Interpretation
"Answers" is a poem that is open to a great deal of interpretation, as it touches on themes that are central to the human experience. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the nature of life, death, and the human condition. The speaker is grappling with the big questions of existence, trying to make sense of their place in the world.
One interpretation of the poem is that it is a celebration of life. The speaker is saying that despite the fact that death is always lurking in the background, life is something that is worth living. The poem is a tribute to the human spirit, to the resilience of the human race in the face of adversity.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the concept of reincarnation. The line "I have died a thousand times" suggests that the speaker has experienced death many times before, and that they will experience it many times in the future. This interpretation suggests that the poem is a celebration of the cyclical nature of life, and a recognition of the fact that we are all part of a greater whole.
Yet another interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the nature of reality itself. The line "life is a dream within a dream" suggests that the speaker believes that our existence is not fully real, but rather something that we create in our own minds. This interpretation suggests that the poem is a rumination on the nature of consciousness, and a recognition of the fact that our perception of reality is subjective and malleable.
Conclusion
"Answers" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores themes that are central to the human experience. Through its use of vivid imagery and profound insights, the poem speaks to readers on a deeply personal level, challenging them to grapple with the big questions of life, death, and the nature of existence itself. Sitwell's skill as a poet is on full display in this poem, as she crafts a work that is both beautiful and thought-provoking, and that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it has always been a way for people to express their emotions, thoughts, and ideas. Dame Edith Sitwell, a British poet, was one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. Her book, Poetry Answers, is a collection of poems that explores the beauty and complexity of poetry. In this article, we will analyze and explain the classic Poetry Answers written by Dame Edith Sitwell.
The book is divided into three parts, and each part explores a different aspect of poetry. The first part, "The Nature of Poetry," explores the essence of poetry and what makes it unique. Sitwell argues that poetry is not just a form of language, but it is also a form of music. She believes that poetry should be read aloud, and the sound of the words is just as important as the meaning. She writes, "Poetry is not a mere arrangement of words, but a living thing, with a life of its own, which can only be expressed through sound."
Sitwell also explores the idea that poetry is a form of magic. She believes that poetry has the power to transport us to different worlds and to evoke emotions that we never knew existed. She writes, "Poetry is a magic carpet that can take us to places we have never been before, and it can make us feel things we never thought possible."
The second part of the book, "The Forms of Poetry," explores the different forms that poetry can take. Sitwell discusses the sonnet, the ballad, the ode, and many other forms of poetry. She explains how each form has its own unique structure and how poets can use these structures to create different effects. She writes, "The form of a poem is like a frame, and the poet is the artist who fills it with color and meaning."
Sitwell also explores the idea of free verse, which is a form of poetry that does not follow any specific structure. She believes that free verse is a way for poets to break free from the constraints of traditional forms and to express themselves in a more personal way. She writes, "Free verse is like a river that flows freely, without any boundaries. It is a way for poets to express themselves in their own unique way."
The third part of the book, "The Poet's Craft," explores the techniques that poets use to create their work. Sitwell discusses the use of imagery, metaphor, and symbolism in poetry. She explains how these techniques can be used to create powerful and evocative images in the reader's mind. She writes, "The poet's craft is like a painter's brush, and the words are the colors that create the image."
Sitwell also explores the use of rhythm and rhyme in poetry. She believes that these techniques can be used to create a musical quality in poetry and to make it more memorable. She writes, "Rhythm and rhyme are like the heartbeat of poetry. They give it life and make it memorable."
In conclusion, Poetry Answers by Dame Edith Sitwell is a classic book that explores the beauty and complexity of poetry. Sitwell's writing is passionate and insightful, and she provides a deep understanding of the nature of poetry. She explores the different forms that poetry can take and the techniques that poets use to create their work. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry or wants to understand it better. It is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire and educate readers for generations to come.
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