'The House Of Dust: Part 04: 04: Counterpoint: Two Rooms' by Conrad Aiken

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The House of Dust1917He, in the room above, grown old and tired,
She, in the room below-his floor her ceiling-
Pursue their separate dreams.He turns his light,
And throws himself on the bed, face down, in laughter. . . .
She, by the window, smiles at a starlight night,His watch-the same he has heard these cycles of ages-
Wearily chimes at seconds beneath his pillow.
The clock, upon her mantelpiece, strikes nine.
The night wears on.She hears dull steps above her.
The world whirs on. . . .New stars come up to shine.His youth-far off-he sees it brightly walking
In a golden cloud. . . .Wings flashing about it. . . . Darkness
Walls it around with dripping enormous walls.
Old age-far off-her death-what do they matter?
Down the smooth purple night a streaked star falls.She hears slow steps in the street-they chime like music;
They climb to her heart, they break and flower in beauty,
Along her veins they glisten and ring and burn. . . .
He hears his own slow steps tread down to silence.
Far off they pass.He knows they will never return.Far off-on a smooth dark road-he hears them faintly.
The road, like a sombre river, quietly flowing,
Moves among murmurous walls.A deeper breath
Swells them to sound: he hears his steps more clearly.
And death seems nearer to him: or he to death.What's death?-She smiles.The cool stone hurts her elbows.
The last of the rain-drops gather and fall from elm-boughs,
She sees them glisten and break.The arc-lamp sings,
The new leaves dip in the warm wet air and fragrance.
A sparrow whirs to the eaves, and shakes his wings.What's death-what's death?The spring returns like music,
The trees are like dark lovers who dream in starlight,
The soft grey clouds go over the stars like dreams.
The cool stone wounds her arms to pain, to pleasure.
Under the lamp a circle of wet street gleams. . . .
And death seems far away, a thing of roses,
A golden portal, where golden music closes,
Death seems far away:
And spring returns, the countless singing of lovers,
And spring returns to stay. . . .He, in the room above, grown old and tired,
Flings himself on the bed, face down, in laughter,
And clenches his hands, and remembers, and desires to die.
And she, by the window, smiles at a night of starlight.
. . .The soft grey clouds go slowly across the sky.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The House of Dust: Part 04: 04: Counterpoint: Two Rooms by Conrad Aiken

I just finished reading The House of Dust: Part 04: 04: Counterpoint: Two Rooms by Conrad Aiken, and I must say, it's a masterpiece. Aiken's use of language and imagery is simply breathtaking. In this poem, Aiken explores the theme of duality and the contrasting experiences of two occupants of different rooms in the same house.

The first thing that struck me about this poem was the use of counterpoint. Aiken uses two contrasting experiences to create a sense of tension and conflict. The first room is described as being "full of light" and "warm as a summer day." In contrast, the second room is "dark and cold" with "no fire, no light." This contrast is further emphasized by the use of color imagery. The first room is described as having "yellow" curtains and "golden" light while the second room has "black" shadows and "grey" walls.

Aiken also uses sound imagery to create a sense of contrast. The first room is filled with "the soft murmur of voices" and "the sound of laughter." In contrast, the second room is filled with "the silence of death" and "the sound of a clock ticking." The ticking of the clock creates a sense of foreboding and tension. It's almost as if the occupants of the second room are waiting for something to happen.

The theme of duality is further explored through the contrast between the two occupants of the rooms. The first occupant is described as being "young and fair" with "golden hair." She is surrounded by family and friends and is "happy and gay." In contrast, the second occupant is described as being "old and grey" with "wrinkled hands." She is alone and "sits and weeps." This contrast between youth and age, happiness and despair, creates a sense of sadness and melancholy.

However, Aiken also manages to create a sense of hope in the poem. The first occupant is described as being "unaware of the sorrow" in the second room. She is "full of life and love" and "does not know that death is near." This suggests that there is a sense of innocence and purity in youth that can overcome even the darkest of situations.

In conclusion, The House of Dust: Part 04: 04: Counterpoint: Two Rooms by Conrad Aiken is a masterpiece of poetry. Aiken's use of language and imagery is simply breathtaking. The contrast between the two rooms and the occupants creates a sense of tension and conflict, but also a sense of hope. The poem explores the theme of duality and the contrasting experiences of youth and age, happiness and despair. It's a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and wants to experience the power of language.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The House of Dust: Part 04: 04: Counterpoint: Two Rooms by Conrad Aiken is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory. The poem is a part of the larger work, The House of Dust, which is a collection of poems that Aiken wrote over a period of several years. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with a description of two rooms that are separated by a wall. The first room is described as being filled with memories of a lost love, while the second room is empty and waiting for a new love to come in. The speaker of the poem is torn between these two rooms, unable to decide whether to hold onto the memories of the past or to move on and embrace the future.

The structure of the poem is interesting, as it is written in a form of counterpoint. The first stanza describes the first room, while the second stanza describes the second room. The third stanza brings the two rooms together, creating a sense of tension and conflict between them. The fourth stanza resolves this tension, as the speaker decides to leave the past behind and move on to the future.

One of the most striking literary devices used in the poem is the use of imagery. Aiken uses vivid descriptions to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. For example, in the first stanza, he describes the first room as being filled with "shadows and memories," while in the second stanza, he describes the second room as being "bare and cold." These descriptions create a sense of contrast between the two rooms, highlighting the speaker's struggle to choose between them.

Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. Aiken repeats certain phrases throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and emphasis. For example, he repeats the phrase "two rooms" several times, emphasizing the contrast between them. He also repeats the phrase "I cannot choose" several times, highlighting the speaker's indecision.

The theme of memory is central to the poem. The first room is filled with memories of a lost love, while the second room is empty and waiting for a new love to come in. The speaker is torn between these two rooms, unable to let go of the past but also unable to move on to the future. This theme of memory is explored throughout the poem, as the speaker struggles to come to terms with his feelings and make a decision.

The theme of love is also central to the poem. The first room represents a lost love, while the second room represents a new love that has yet to come. The speaker is torn between these two loves, unable to decide which one to choose. This theme of love is explored throughout the poem, as the speaker struggles to come to terms with his feelings and make a decision.

In conclusion, The House of Dust: Part 04: 04: Counterpoint: Two Rooms by Conrad Aiken is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory. The poem is structured in a form of counterpoint, with vivid imagery and repetition used to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The theme of memory is central to the poem, as the speaker struggles to come to terms with his feelings and make a decision. The theme of love is also central to the poem, as the speaker is torn between a lost love and a new love that has yet to come. Overall, this poem is a powerful exploration of the human experience, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

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