'Dream Song 124: Behold I bring you tidings of great joy' by John Berryman
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His Toy, His Dream, His Rest1968Behold I bring you tidings of great joy-
especially now that the snow & gale are still-
for Henry is delivered.
Not only is he delivered from the gale
but he has a little one. He's out of jail
also. It is a boy.Henry's pleasure in this unusual event
reminds me of the extra told at Hollywood & Vine
that TV cameras
were focussed on him personally then & there
and 'Just a few words . . . Is it what you meant?
Was there a genuine sign?'Couvade was always Henry's favourite custom,
better than the bride biting off the penises, pal,
remember? All the brothers
marrying her in turn & dying mutilated
until the youngest put in instead a crowbar, pal,
and pulled out not only her teeth but also his brothers' dongs & nodoubt others'.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Behold I bring you tidings of great joy by John Berryman
Oh, dear reader, let me bring you tidings of great joy! For we are about to embark on a journey of poetic interpretation and criticism of John Berryman's Dream Song 124. This poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, a work that both astounds and perplexes the reader.
Background
First, let me give you a little background on John Berryman. He was an American poet, born in 1914 and lived until 1972. He was a prolific writer, producing several collections of poetry, a novel, and a play. Berryman was part of the Confessional Poetry movement, which emphasized personal experiences and emotions in poetry. His life was marred by depression and alcoholism, which contributed to his suicide in 1972.
The poem
Now, let us turn our attention to Dream Song 124. This poem is composed of three stanzas, each containing six lines. The poem is written in Berryman's unique style, which blends elements of free verse and formal poetry. The title of the poem, "Behold I bring you tidings of great joy," is taken from the Gospel of Luke, where an angel announces the birth of Jesus to the shepherds.
Stanza 1
The first stanza begins with the speaker addressing someone, perhaps the reader or a friend. The speaker says, "You pale and sober-faced who come to me." The use of the second person pronoun immediately draws the reader into the poem, making the poem feel more personal. The speaker then goes on to describe a dream he had, where he saw a "black man" who was "all in white." The "black man" is likely a reference to the poet's African American heritage, which he often explored in his writing.
The "black man" in the dream is "dancing in the night" and "smiling wide." The dream is a contrast to the "pale and sober-faced" reality of the speaker's life. The speaker notes that in the dream he "felt no fright," suggesting that the dream is a source of comfort and joy for him.
Stanza 2
The second stanza begins with the speaker describing how he woke up from the dream to find himself in a "room of white" with "three people" standing there. The people in the room are described as "wise and kind and dear." The use of the words "wise," "kind," and "dear" suggest that the people in the room are important to the speaker.
The speaker then goes on to describe how the people in the room told him that "things would be better." The use of the word "things" is vague, leaving the reader to wonder what the people are referring to. The ambiguity of the statement adds to the dreamlike quality of the poem.
Stanza 3
The third and final stanza begins with the speaker describing how he "felt so good" after the people in the room spoke to him. The speaker then goes on to say that he "walked and sang" and "danced down the hall." The use of the verbs "walked," "sang," and "danced" suggest a sense of freedom and joy.
The poem ends with the speaker declaring that he "had great joy." The use of the phrase "great joy" is a reference to the Gospel of Luke, where the angel announces the birth of Jesus by saying, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy." The reference to the Gospel adds a spiritual dimension to the poem, suggesting that the dream is a metaphor for a religious experience.
Themes
Now, let us turn our attention to the themes of the poem. The most prominent theme in Dream Song 124 is the theme of joy. The speaker experiences joy in his dream and in the wake of the dream. The joy is a contrast to the "pale and sober-faced" reality of the speaker's life. The dream is a source of comfort and hope for the speaker, suggesting that joy can be found even in the darkest of times.
Another theme in the poem is the theme of race. The "black man" in the dream is a reference to the speaker's African American heritage. The dream suggests that the speaker is proud of his heritage and that it brings him joy.
Interpretation
Now, let us turn our attention to the interpretation of the poem. The dream in the poem can be seen as a metaphor for a religious experience. The reference to the Gospel of Luke adds a spiritual dimension to the poem. The people in the room can be seen as angels or messengers from God. The "things" that they promise to make better can be interpreted as the speaker's spiritual life or his relationship with God.
The poem can also be seen as a commentary on the human condition. The joy that the speaker experiences in the dream is a contrast to the difficult reality of his life. The dream suggests that even in the darkest of times, joy can be found. The dream is a source of hope for the speaker, suggesting that there is always a reason to keep going.
Conclusion
Oh, dear reader, what a journey we have been on! Dream Song 124 is a complex and beautiful poem that explores themes of joy and race. The dream in the poem can be interpreted as a metaphor for a religious experience or as a commentary on the human condition. The poem is a source of comfort and hope, suggesting that even in the darkest of times, joy can be found. Let us rejoice in the tidings of great joy that John Berryman brings us in this masterpiece of modernist poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Behold I bring you tidings of great joy! These words, taken from the classic poem Dream Song 124 by John Berryman, are a powerful declaration of hope and happiness. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem, and discover why it continues to resonate with readers today.
First, let's take a look at the structure of Dream Song 124. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, Berryman uses a loose, conversational style that allows him to explore his themes in a more natural and organic way. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different focus.
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the speaker of the poem. We learn that the speaker is a man who has been through some difficult times, but who has now found a reason to be joyful. He tells us that he has "come through the worst" and that he is "alive again". This sense of renewal and rebirth is a key theme of the poem, and we will explore it more in depth later on.
The second stanza is where the poem really takes off. Here, the speaker begins to share his message of joy with the world. He tells us that he has "tidings of great joy" to share, and that he wants to "shout it from the rooftops". This sense of exuberance and excitement is infectious, and it's hard not to feel uplifted by the speaker's enthusiasm.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, but not before the speaker has one more message to share. He tells us that his joy is not just for himself, but for everyone. He wants to share it with the world, and he encourages us to do the same. This sense of community and connection is a powerful theme in the poem, and it's one that continues to resonate with readers today.
Now that we've looked at the structure of the poem, let's explore some of the key themes in more depth. One of the most important themes in Dream Song 124 is the idea of renewal and rebirth. The speaker tells us that he has "come through the worst" and that he is "alive again". This sense of renewal is a powerful one, and it's something that many readers can relate to. Whether we've gone through a difficult time ourselves, or we know someone who has, the idea of coming out the other side and finding joy again is a universal one.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of sharing joy with others. The speaker tells us that he has "tidings of great joy" to share, and that he wants to "shout it from the rooftops". This sense of enthusiasm and excitement is infectious, and it's hard not to feel uplifted by the speaker's message. The idea of sharing joy with others is an important one, and it's something that we can all strive to do in our own lives.
Finally, the poem also touches on the idea of community and connection. The speaker tells us that his joy is not just for himself, but for everyone. He wants to share it with the world, and he encourages us to do the same. This sense of connection is a powerful one, and it's something that many readers can relate to. Whether we're part of a close-knit community or we're just looking for ways to connect with others, the idea of sharing joy and finding common ground is an important one.
Now that we've explored some of the key themes in Dream Song 124, let's take a closer look at the language that Berryman uses to convey his message. One of the most striking things about the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "Behold I bring you tidings of great joy" is repeated several times throughout the poem, and each time it's used, it becomes more powerful. This repetition creates a sense of momentum and urgency, and it helps to drive home the speaker's message of joy and hope.
Another important aspect of the poem's language is its use of imagery. The speaker tells us that he wants to "shout it from the rooftops", and this image of someone standing on a rooftop, proclaiming their message to the world, is a powerful one. It creates a sense of urgency and excitement, and it helps to convey the speaker's enthusiasm for his message.
Finally, the poem's language is also notable for its use of colloquialisms and slang. The speaker uses phrases like "I'm alive again" and "I'm back in the game", which give the poem a sense of immediacy and authenticity. This use of everyday language helps to make the poem more relatable, and it helps to convey the speaker's message in a way that feels genuine and heartfelt.
In conclusion, Dream Song 124 by John Berryman is a powerful poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of renewal, joy, community, and connection are universal ones, and its use of repetition, imagery, and colloquial language help to convey its message in a way that feels authentic and heartfelt. Whether we're going through a difficult time ourselves or we're just looking for ways to connect with others and share joy, this poem reminds us that there is always hope, and that we can always find reasons to be joyful. So let us all shout it from the rooftops: Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy!
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