Berryman's masks of truth in "the dream songs"

Abstract EN

This study explores Berryman's literary use of the mask technique in his "Dream Songs".

The book is, by far, seen as his most prominent poetic achievement.

Its success relies mainly on the peculiar manipulation of the mask technique which is considered as the most genuine innovation that affirmed Berryman's stature as poet.

Henry is both; the main mask, and is the main character that helps to unify the 'Dream Songs'.

Through this mask, Berryman tries to conceal his own character and give way to his thoughts, feelings and even actions to be noticed and expressed freely.

The study, in its first part, offers a brief overview of the mask as a literary technique by surveying its definitions and historical roots.

In the second part, the study attempts to identify the main masks the poet uses in the book and examine each of them by the virtue of selecting and analyzing poems that are representative of these masks.

The manifestation of Henry's real character will only be possible by combining all of these masks to one.

Thus, this part will be limited to shedding light on the three main masks which appear clearly through the book Henry, Henry Home, and Henry Pussy-cat in the light of the psychoanalysis concept of Id, Ego, and Super-ego.

Then it will explore the poet's own view towards social problems of his time represented by racial discrimination and social injustice through other secondary masks that will be discussed briefly only to give the reader a full view of the fragmentation of the character of Henry such as the Jew and Henry black face.

In sum these masks together stand for the poets own and real character.