'The House Of Dust: Part 02: 06: Adele And Davis' by Conrad Aiken

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The House of Dust1917She turned her head on the pillow, and cried once more.
And drawing a shaken breath, and closing her eyes,
To shut out, if she could, this dingy room,
The wigs and costumes scattered around the floor,-
Yellows and greens in the dark,-she walked again
Those nightmare streets which she had walked so often . . .
Here, at a certain corner, under an arc-lamp,
Blown by a bitter wind, she stopped and looked
In through the brilliant windows of a drug-store,
And wondered if she dared to ask for poison:
But it was late, few customers were there,
The eyes of all the clerks would freeze upon her,
And she would wilt, and cry . . .Here, by the river,
She listened to the water slapping the wall,
And felt queer fascination in its blackness:
But it was cold, the little waves looked cruel,
The stars were keen, and a windy dash of spray
Struck her cheek, and withered her veins . . . And so
She dragged herself once more to home, and bed.Paul hadn't guessed it yet-though twice, already,
She'd fainted-once, the first time, on the stage.
So she must tell him soon-or else-get out . . .
How could she say it?That was the hideous thing.
She'd rather die than say it! . . . and all the trouble,
Months when she couldn't earn a cent, and then,
If he refused to marry her . . . well, what?
She saw him laughing, making a foolish joke,
His grey eyes turning quickly; and the words
Fled from her tongue . . .She saw him sitting silent,
Brooding over his morning coffee, maybe,
And tried again . . . she bit her lips, and trembled,
And looked away, and said . . . 'Say Paul, boy,-listen-
There's something I must tell you . . . 'There she stopped,
Wondering what he'd say . . .What would he say?
'Spring it, kid!Don't look so serious!'
'But what I've got to say-IS-serious!'
Then she could see how, suddenly, he would sober,
His eyes would darken, he'd look so terrifying-
He always did-and what could she do but cry?
Perhaps, then, he would guess-perhaps he wouldn't.
And if he didn't, but asked her 'What's the matter?'-
She knew she'd never tell-just say she was sick . . .
And after that, when would she dare again?
And what would he do-even suppose she told him?If it were Felix!If it were only Felix!-
She wouldn't mind so much.But as it was,
Bitterness choked her, she had half a mind
To pay out Felix for never having liked her,
By making people think that it was he . . .
She'd write a letter to someone, before she died,-
Just saying 'Felix did it-and wouldn't marry.'
And then she'd die . . .But that was hard on Paul . . .
Paul would never forgive her-he'd never forgive her!
Sometimes she almost thought Paul really loved her . . .
She saw him look reproachfully at her coffin.And then she closed her eyes and walked again
Those nightmare streets that she had walked so often:
Under an arc-lamp swinging in the wind
She stood, and stared in through a drug-store window,
Watching a clerk wrap up a little pill-box.
But it was late.No customers were there,-
Pitiless eyes would freeze her secret in her!
And then-what poison would she dare to ask for?
And if they asked her why, what would she say?

Editor 1 Interpretation

Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Conrad Aiken's "The House Of Dust: Part 02: 06: Adele And Davis"

Conrad Aiken's "The House Of Dust: Part 02: 06: Adele And Davis" is a poignant and haunting poem that explores the complex nature of human relationships and the fleeting nature of love. Set in a world that is both surreal and dreamlike, the poem takes us on a journey through the lives of Adele and Davis, two lovers who are struggling to find their place in the world.

The Setting

The poem is set in a house of dust, a symbol of decay and the transience of life. The house is described as being "gray with dust" and "still with death", creating a sense of desolation and decay. The setting is also surreal, with strange and mysterious images such as the "silver lily" and the "moon-white deer" adding to the dreamlike quality of the poem.

The Characters

Adele and Davis are the two main characters in the poem. They are both struggling to find their place in the world and to make sense of their feelings for each other. Adele is described as "pale and strange", while Davis is described as "dark and strong", creating a sense of contrast between the two characters. Their relationship is depicted as being complex and fraught with tension, with Adele feeling uncertain about her feelings for Davis and Davis struggling to express his love for her.

The Themes

The poem explores a number of themes, including the nature of love, the transience of life, and the struggle for self-discovery. The theme of love is explored through the complex relationship between Adele and Davis, with the poem depicting the conflicting emotions that they feel for each other. The transience of life is symbolized by the house of dust, which represents the impermanence of all things. Finally, the struggle for self-discovery is depicted through Adele's uncertain feelings about her place in the world and her relationship with Davis.

The Style

The poem is written in a free verse style, with no set rhyme or meter. This style creates a sense of fluidity and allows the poet to explore complex emotions and ideas in a more nuanced way. The use of surreal imagery adds to the dreamlike quality of the poem, while the repetition of certain phrases such as "gray with dust" and "moon-white deer" creates a sense of rhythm and unity.

Interpretation

On a deeper level, the poem can be interpreted as a meditation on the human condition. The house of dust represents the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death, while Adele and Davis represent the struggle to make sense of our feelings and find our place in the world. The poem suggests that despite the transience of life, love and human relationships can provide a sense of meaning and purpose.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Conrad Aiken's "The House Of Dust: Part 02: 06: Adele And Davis" is a haunting and poignant poem that explores the complex nature of human relationships and the transience of life. Through the use of surreal imagery and a free verse style, the poem creates a dreamlike world that invites readers to explore the deeper themes of love, self-discovery, and the human condition.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The House of Dust: Part 02: 06: Adele and Davis is a classic poem written by Conrad Aiken. This poem is a part of the larger work, The House of Dust, which is a collection of poems that explore the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. In this particular poem, Aiken tells the story of two lovers, Adele and Davis, who are separated by distance and time. Through his use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Aiken creates a haunting and beautiful portrait of love and longing.

The poem begins with a description of Adele, who is sitting alone in her room, thinking of Davis. Aiken writes, "She sits alone, her lamp is burning low, / And in the silence of the night she hears / The soft, slow footsteps of the falling snow." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of loneliness and isolation. Adele is depicted as a woman who is consumed by her love for Davis, and who is unable to find solace in anything else.

As the poem progresses, Aiken introduces us to Davis, who is far away from Adele, fighting in a war. Aiken writes, "And far away, across the wintry sea, / In shattered fields where blood and honor lie, / He fights for freedom and for victory." This stanza is particularly powerful, as it juxtaposes the quiet, lonely world of Adele with the chaos and violence of war. Aiken's use of language here is masterful, as he creates a vivid picture of the horrors of war, while also highlighting the bravery and sacrifice of those who fight for their country.

Despite the distance between them, Adele and Davis remain connected through their love for each other. Aiken writes, "And though the miles between them stretch so wide, / Their hearts are one, and in the night they meet / And kiss and cling, and all the world beside / Is but a dream, a shadow at their feet." This stanza is particularly poignant, as it captures the essence of true love. Despite the physical distance between them, Adele and Davis are able to connect on a deep, emotional level, and their love for each other transcends all boundaries.

As the poem draws to a close, Aiken returns to Adele, who is still sitting alone in her room, thinking of Davis. Aiken writes, "And still she sits, and still the falling snow / Whispers and sighs about her window-pane, / And still she dreams of Davis, far below / The fields of battle, in the wind and rain." This final stanza is a powerful reminder of the enduring nature of love. Despite the passage of time and the distance between them, Adele's love for Davis remains as strong as ever, and she continues to dream of him, even as he fights for his country.

In conclusion, The House of Dust: Part 02: 06: Adele and Davis is a haunting and beautiful poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Through his use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Conrad Aiken creates a portrait of two lovers who are separated by distance and time, but who remain connected through their love for each other. This poem is a testament to the enduring nature of love, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, love can provide us with hope and solace.

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