'The House Of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death' by Conrad Aiken
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The House of Dust1917'Number four-the girl who died on the table-
The girl with golden hair-'
The purpling body lies on the polished marble.
We open the throat, and lay the thyroid bare . . .One, who held the ether-cone, remembers
Her dark blue frightened eyes.
He heard the sharp breath quiver, and saw her breast
More hurriedly fall and rise.
Her hands made futile gestures, she turned her head
Fighting for breath; her cheeks were flushed to scarlet,-
And, suddenly, she lay dead.And all the dreams that hurried along her veins
Came to the darkness of a sudden wall.
Confusion ran among them, they whirled and clamored,
They fell, they rose, they struck, they shouted,
Till at last a pallor of silence hushed them all.What was her name?Where had she walked that morning?
Through what dark forest came her feet?
Along what sunlit walls, what peopled street?Backward he dreamed along a chain of days,
He saw her go her strange and secret ways,
Waking and sleeping, noon and night.
She sat by a mirror, braiding her golden hair.
She read a story by candlelight.Her shadow ran before her along the street,
She walked with rhythmic feet,
Turned a corner, descended a stair.
She bought a paper, held it to scan the headlines,
Smiled for a moment at sea-gulls high in sunlight,
And drew deep breaths of air.Days passed, bright clouds of days.Nights passed. And music
Murmured within the walls of lighted windows.
She lifted her face to the light and danced.
The dancers wreathed and grouped in moving patterns,
Clustered, receded, streamed, advanced.Her dress was purple, her slippers were golden,
Her eyes were blue; and a purple orchid
Opened its golden heart on her breast . . .
She leaned to the surly languor of lazy music,
Leaned on her partner's arm to rest.
The violins were weaving a weft of silver,
The horns were weaving a lustrous brede of gold,
And time was caught in a glistening pattern,
Time, too elusive to hold . . .Shadows of leaves fell over her face,-and sunlight:
She turned her face away.
Nearer she moved to a crouching darkness
With every step and day.Death, who at first had thought of her only an instant,
At a great distance, across the night,
Smiled from a window upon her, and followed her slowly
From purple light to light.Once, in her dreams, he spoke out clearly, crying,
'I am the murderer, death.
I am the lover who keeps his appointment
At the doors of breath!'She rose and stared at her own reflection,
Half dreading there to find
The dark-eyed ghost, waiting beside her,
Or reaching from behind
To lay pale hands upon her shoulders . . .
Or was this in her mind? . . .She combed her hair.The sunlight glimmered
Along the tossing strands.
Was there a stillness in this hair,-
A quiet in these hands?Death was a dream.It could not change these eyes,
Blow out their light, or turn this mouth to dust.
She combed her hair and sang.She would live forever.
Leaves flew past her window along a gust . . .
And graves were dug in the earth, and coffins passed,
And music ebbed with the ebbing hours.
And dreams went along her veins, and scattering clouds
Threw streaming shadows on walls and towers.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Critical Analysis of Conrad Aiken's "The House of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death"
Conrad Aiken's "The House of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death" is a hauntingly poignant piece of poetry that explores the theme of death and its suddenness. The poem is part of a larger work, "The House of Dust," which is a collection of poems that explore the different facets of human life, ranging from love and loss to despair and death.
In this particular poem, Aiken paints a vivid picture of a sudden and unexpected death. The poem opens with the speaker describing the atmosphere of the room where the dead person lies. The room is described as being "dim and silent," and the only sound that can be heard is the ticking of the clock. This creates a sense of stillness and quietness that is almost palpable, making the reader feel as though they are standing in the room themselves.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to describe the deceased person in more detail. The person is described as being "still and cold," and the speaker notes that their face is "pale and drawn." The use of these descriptive words adds to the overall sense of melancholy that permeates the poem. The reader can almost feel the weight of the sadness that the speaker is experiencing as they describe the dead person.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the use of imagery. Aiken paints a vivid picture of the scene, using imagery to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. For example, the use of the word "cold" to describe the deceased person creates a sense of detachment and finality. Similarly, the use of the word "still" adds to the sense of stillness and quietness in the room.
Another key aspect of this poem is the use of repetition. The phrase "sudden death" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the suddenness of the event and driving home the sense of shock and disbelief that the speaker is feeling. This repetition also serves to highlight the theme of death and the inevitability of its arrival.
Overall, "The House of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the theme of death and its suddenness. Through the use of vivid imagery and repetition, Aiken creates a powerful and poignant work that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
An Interpretation of Conrad Aiken's "The House of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death"
In addition to its literary merits, "The House of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death" can also be interpreted in a number of different ways. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the fragility of human life and the inevitability of death.
Throughout the poem, Aiken emphasizes the suddenness of the death. The use of the phrase "sudden death" is repeated several times, driving home the idea that death can come at any moment, without warning or explanation. This can be seen as a commentary on the fragility of human life, and a reminder that we should cherish every moment that we have.
Similarly, the emphasis on the stillness and quietness of the room can be interpreted as a commentary on the finality of death. The fact that the dead person is described as being "still and cold" emphasizes the idea that death is a final and irreversible event. This can be seen as a reminder that we should make the most of our time on earth, and live our lives to the fullest.
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the human experience of grief. The speaker's description of the atmosphere in the room, and their own sense of shock and disbelief, can be seen as a reflection of the intense emotional pain that comes with the loss of a loved one. This interpretation emphasizes the human element of the poem, and underscores the fact that death is not just an abstract concept, but a deeply personal and emotional experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The House of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death" is a powerful and poignant work of poetry that explores the theme of death and its suddenness. Through the use of vivid imagery and repetition, Conrad Aiken creates a hauntingly beautiful work that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Whether interpreted as a commentary on the fragility of human life or the human experience of grief, this poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the complexity of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The House of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death - A Poetic Masterpiece
Conrad Aiken's "The House of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the themes of death, loss, and grief. The poem is part of Aiken's larger work, "The House of Dust," which is a collection of interconnected poems that tell the story of a house and its inhabitants. In this particular poem, Aiken takes us on a journey through the emotions of a person who has just experienced the sudden death of a loved one.
The poem begins with the line, "I woke, and you were lying dead." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of shock and disbelief. The speaker is unable to comprehend the suddenness of the death, and is left feeling lost and alone. The use of the word "you" in the opening line is particularly effective, as it immediately draws the reader into the speaker's world and creates a sense of intimacy.
As the poem progresses, we see the speaker struggling to come to terms with the death. They describe the feeling of being "numb" and "dazed," and the sense of being "lost in a mist." These descriptions are powerful in their simplicity, and convey the overwhelming nature of grief. The speaker is unable to think clearly or make sense of what has happened, and is left feeling adrift in a sea of emotions.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Aiken uses imagery to convey the speaker's emotions. For example, the line "The room was dark with something more than night" creates a sense of foreboding and unease. The darkness of the room is not just a physical darkness, but a darkness that is symbolic of the speaker's emotional state. Similarly, the line "The air was heavy, and the silence deep" creates a sense of suffocation and claustrophobia. The speaker is trapped in their grief, unable to escape the weight of their emotions.
Throughout the poem, Aiken also uses repetition to great effect. The line "I woke, and you were lying dead" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and building a sense of tension. The repetition of this line also serves to reinforce the suddenness of the death, and the shock that the speaker is feeling.
As the poem draws to a close, we see the speaker beginning to come to terms with the death. They describe the feeling of "slowly, slowly, slowly" coming back to life, and the sense of "gradual light" that begins to fill the room. These descriptions are powerful in their simplicity, and convey the slow and painful process of grieving. The speaker is not suddenly "cured" of their grief, but is instead slowly learning to live with it.
In conclusion, "The House of Dust: Part 02: 10: Sudden Death" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of death, loss, and grief. Through the use of imagery, repetition, and powerful language, Conrad Aiken creates a sense of intimacy with the reader and draws us into the speaker's world. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to convey complex emotions and to help us make sense of the world around us.
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