'The House Of Dust: Part 02: 03: Interlude' by Conrad Aiken

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The House of Dust1917The warm sun dreams in the dust, the warm sun falls
On bright red roofs and walls;
The trees in the park exhale a ghost of rain;
We go from door to door in the streets again,
Talking, laughing, dreaming, turning our faces,
Recalling other times and places . . .
We crowd, not knowing why, around a gate,
We crowd together and wait,
A stretcher is carried out, voices are stilled,
The ambulance drives away.
We watch its roof flash by, hear someone say
'A man fell off the building and was killed-
Fell right into a barrel . . .'We turn again
Among the frightened eyes of white-faced men,
And go our separate ways, each bearing with him
A thing he tries, but vainly, to forget,-
A sickened crowd, a stretcher red and wet.A hurdy-gurdy sings in the crowded street,
The golden notes skip over the sunlit stones,
Wings are upon our feet.
The sun seems warmer, the winding street more bright,
Sparrows come whirring down in a cloud of light.
We bear our dreams among us, bear them all,
Like hurdy-gurdy music they rise and fall,
Climb to beauty and die.
The wandering lover dreams of his lover's mouth,
And smiles at the hostile sky.
The broker smokes his pipe, and sees a fortune.
The murderer hears a cry.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The House of Dust: Part 02: 03: Interlude - A Literary Journey

The House of Dust: Part 02: 03: Interlude is a powerful and evocative poem written by Conrad Aiken. The poem explores the themes of love, loss, and memory in a haunting and profound way that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various facets of this poem and the ways in which Aiken uses language, imagery, and symbolism to create a rich and nuanced narrative.

The Setting

The poem is set in a deserted house, which is described as being filled with dust and decay. The house represents the past, and the memories that are contained within it. The speaker is looking back on his life, and the people who have touched him in some way. The house is a symbol of the memories that he carries with him, and the people who have left a mark on his soul.

The Themes

The themes of love, loss, and memory are central to this poem. The speaker is looking back on his life and reflecting on the people he has loved and lost. He is haunted by memories of the past, and the people who are no longer with him. This theme is beautifully captured in the following lines:

"Here, where the lonely hooting owl Sends forth his midnight moans, Fierce wolves shall fight their last red fight For these accursed bones."

The imagery of the hooting owl and the fierce wolves creates a sense of loneliness and isolation. The speaker feels as though he is alone in the world, with only his memories to keep him company.

The Imagery

Aiken uses powerful imagery throughout the poem to create a vivid and haunting picture of the deserted house. The following lines are particularly evocative:

"Here, in this haunted room, Where the dead footfalls echo, The lost love shall find its tomb, And the long sought bride shall sleep."

The imagery of the haunted room and the dead footfalls creates a sense of unease and discomfort. The reader can almost feel the presence of the dead, and the weight of the memories that linger in the air.

The Symbolism

Aiken uses symbolism to great effect in this poem. The house is a symbol of the past, and the memories that are contained within it. The following lines are particularly symbolic:

"Here, in this broken place, Is the place where I belong; Here, in this haunted space, Is the place where I am strong."

The broken place and the haunted space represent the speaker's past, and the memories that he carries with him. They are a part of him, and they make him strong.

The Language

Aiken's use of language is poetic and evocative. He uses words and phrases that paint a picture in the reader's mind. The following lines are particularly beautiful:

"Here, where the lonely hooting owl Sends forth his midnight moans, Fierce wolves shall fight their last red fight For these accursed bones."

The language creates a sense of despair and loneliness. The reader can feel the weight of the memories that the speaker is carrying with him.

The Structure

The poem is structured in a way that creates a sense of unease and discomfort. The lines are broken up in a way that creates a disjointed and haunting feeling. The following lines are particularly effective:

"Here, in this haunted room, Where the dead footfalls echo, The lost love shall find its tomb, And the long sought bride shall sleep."

The structure creates a sense of unease and discomfort. The reader can almost feel the weight of the memories that the speaker is carrying with him.

The Conclusion

The House of Dust: Part 02: 03: Interlude is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory in a haunting and profound way. Aiken's use of language, imagery, and symbolism creates a rich and nuanced narrative that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to convey complex emotions and ideas in a way that is both beautiful and meaningful.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The House of Dust: Part 02: 03: Interlude is a classic poem written by Conrad Aiken. This poem is a part of the House of Dust series, which is a collection of poems that explore the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The Interlude is a particularly interesting poem in this series, as it serves as a break between the two main sections of the House of Dust. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in this poem, and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the House of Dust series.

The poem begins with the lines, "The warm sun dreams in the dust, the warm sun falls / On bright red roofs and walls; / The trees in the park exhale a ghost of rain; / The wandering cat in the courtyard stops and dreams." These lines set the scene for the poem, and establish a sense of calm and tranquility. The warm sun and the bright red roofs and walls create a sense of warmth and comfort, while the trees and the wandering cat add a touch of nature to the scene. This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is contemplative and introspective.

The second stanza of the poem begins with the lines, "Men's voices rise in the dusk from the cobbled square, / Birds wheel and dip, and a faint wind blows / From the dim-lit gardens to the darkened street." These lines introduce the idea of human presence in the scene, and create a sense of movement and activity. The men's voices and the birds' movements create a sense of energy, while the faint wind adds a touch of mystery to the scene. This stanza also introduces the idea of darkness, which is a recurring theme in the House of Dust series.

The third stanza of the poem begins with the lines, "Two slanting lines of cobbled stones lead up / To the shining tower-gates, and there / By the marble steps a columned fountain plays." These lines introduce the idea of architecture and design, and create a sense of grandeur and elegance. The shining tower-gates and the marble steps create a sense of wealth and power, while the columned fountain adds a touch of beauty and artistry to the scene. This stanza also introduces the idea of water, which is another recurring theme in the House of Dust series.

The fourth stanza of the poem begins with the lines, "An old man leaves the crowd and turns alone / Down one street, where the shadows are; / And a young man leaves the crowd, and turns alone / Down another street, where the light is." These lines introduce the idea of choice and decision-making, and create a sense of individuality and independence. The old man and the young man represent different stages of life, and their choices reflect their different perspectives and experiences. This stanza also introduces the idea of loneliness, which is another recurring theme in the House of Dust series.

The fifth stanza of the poem begins with the lines, "And both have secret thoughts: he to himself, / And she to herself; / And both are right." These lines emphasize the idea of individuality and personal experience, and suggest that there is no one right way to live or think. The old man and the young man both have their own secrets and thoughts, and both are valid and important. This stanza also introduces the idea of ambiguity, which is another recurring theme in the House of Dust series.

The sixth stanza of the poem begins with the lines, "Men's voices rise and fall, / And the dust sings in the sunlight; / And the fountain leaps in the blue air / Reflected in the rose-red walls." These lines bring together the different elements of the scene, and create a sense of harmony and unity. The men's voices and the dust create a sense of movement and activity, while the fountain and the rose-red walls create a sense of beauty and elegance. This stanza also emphasizes the idea of reflection, which is another recurring theme in the House of Dust series.

The seventh and final stanza of the poem begins with the lines, "Slowly I climb the stairs, / The steps like stages of the soul; / The old man and the young man lingered there / A moment, and then went their separate ways." These lines bring the poem to a close, and emphasize the idea of personal growth and development. The stairs represent the journey of life, and the old man and the young man represent different stages of that journey. The fact that they both lingered there for a moment suggests that they both have something to learn from each other, and that their paths may cross again in the future.

In conclusion, The House of Dust: Part 02: 03: Interlude is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Through its use of literary devices such as imagery, symbolism, and repetition, this poem creates a sense of introspection and contemplation. The poem's emphasis on individuality, choice, and personal growth makes it a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.

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