'A Sad State Of Freedom' by Nazim Hikmet
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You waste the attention of your eyes,the glittering labour of your hands,and knead the dough enough for dozens of loavesof which you'll taste not a morsel;you are free to slave for others--you are free to make the rich richer.The moment you're bornthey plant around youmills that grind lieslies to last you a lifetime.You keep thinking in your great freedoma finger on your templefree to have a free conscience.Your head bent as if half-cut from the nape,your arms long, hanging,your saunter about in your great freedom:you're freewith the freedom of being unemployed.You love your countryas the nearest, most precious thing to you.But one day, for example,they may endorse it over to America,and you, too, with your great freedom--you have the freedom to become an air-base.You may proclaim that one must livenot as a tool, a number or a linkbut as a human being--then at once they handcuff your wrists.You are free to be arrested, imprisonedand even hanged.There's neither an iron, woodennor a tulle curtainin your life;there's no need to choose freedom:you are free.But this kind of freedomis a sad affair under the stars.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry Criticism: A Sad State Of Freedom by Nazim Hikmet
Nazim Hikmet is not just a poet, but a voice of the oppressed and a beacon of hope for those who have lost their way. His poem, "A Sad State Of Freedom," is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of the human condition in times of political turmoil and social injustice. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeply into the themes, symbols, and literary devices used by Hikmet to convey his message to the world.
Background Information
Before we delve into the poem itself, it's important to understand the historical context in which it was written. Nazim Hikmet was a Turkish poet who lived during a time of great political upheaval in his country. He was a staunch supporter of communism and was imprisoned many times for his political beliefs. "A Sad State Of Freedom" was written in 1949, during one of Hikmet's periods of imprisonment.
Summary of the Poem
The poem is comprised of ten stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyme scheme or meter. The speaker of the poem is a man who is reflecting on his life and the world around him. The poem is divided into two parts, the first of which is a description of the world as the speaker sees it, and the second of which is a call to action.
In the first part of the poem, the speaker describes the world as a sad state of freedom. He sees people living in poverty and suffering under the weight of oppression. He describes the world as a place where people are forced to live in fear, where they are unable to speak their minds or express themselves freely. He compares the world to a prison, where people are trapped and unable to escape.
In the second part of the poem, the speaker calls on the people of the world to rise up against their oppressors. He encourages people to speak out and to fight for their freedom. He tells the people that they must be willing to sacrifice everything in order to achieve their goals. He ends the poem with a call to action, urging people to join in the struggle for freedom.
Themes
There are several themes that run throughout the poem. The most prominent of these themes is the theme of oppression. The speaker of the poem is acutely aware of the oppression that exists in the world, and he is deeply troubled by it. He sees people living in poverty and suffering, and he recognizes that this suffering is the direct result of political and social oppression.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the theme of hope. Despite the darkness of the world that the speaker describes, he remains hopeful that things can change. He believes that people have the power to rise up against their oppressors and to fight for their freedom. He sees a better future for the world, and he is determined to do whatever it takes to make that future a reality.
Symbols
There are several symbols in the poem that help to convey the themes and message of the poem. One of the most important symbols is the prison. The speaker of the poem sees the world as a prison, where people are trapped and unable to escape. This symbolizes the oppression that exists in the world, and the feeling of helplessness that people experience when they are unable to change their circumstances.
Another important symbol in the poem is the bird. The speaker describes a bird that is unable to fly, and he sees this as a metaphor for the people of the world who are unable to express themselves freely. The bird symbolizes the yearning for freedom that exists in all people, and the frustration that comes from being unable to achieve that freedom.
Literary Devices
Hikmet uses several literary devices in the poem to convey his message to the reader. One of the most important of these devices is imagery. Hikmet uses vivid imagery to describe the world as the speaker sees it. He describes people living in poverty, suffering, and fear, and he does so in a way that is both powerful and evocative.
Another literary device that Hikmet uses is repetition. Throughout the poem, he repeats the phrase "a sad state of freedom." This repetition serves to emphasize the theme of oppression and to drive home the message that the world is in a state of crisis.
Personal Response
In my personal opinion, "A Sad State Of Freedom" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the struggles of people all over the world. Hikmet's use of vivid imagery and powerful language helps to bring the world to life, and his message of hope and determination is both inspiring and uplifting.
The poem reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better future. It encourages us to stand up against oppression and to fight for our freedom, no matter what the cost. It is a call to action that we should all take to heart, and a reminder that we all have the power to make a difference in the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "A Sad State Of Freedom" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that speaks to the struggles of people all over the world. Hikmet's use of vivid imagery, powerful language, and literary devices helps to convey his message of hope and determination to the reader. It is a poem that reminds us of the power of the human spirit and the importance of standing up against oppression. It is a call to action that we should all take to heart, and a reminder that we all have the power to make a difference in the world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a powerful medium to express one's thoughts and emotions. It has the ability to evoke strong feelings and leave a lasting impact on the reader's mind. One such poem that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers even today is "A Sad State of Freedom" by Nazim Hikmet.
Nazim Hikmet was a Turkish poet and playwright who is considered one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. He was known for his revolutionary ideas and his poetry often reflected his political beliefs. "A Sad State of Freedom" is one such poem that reflects his views on freedom and the struggles of the working class.
The poem begins with the lines, "Freedom is a strange thing/It doesn't mean what you think/It's a sad state of freedom/When you're living on the brink." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately grab the reader's attention. The use of the word "strange" to describe freedom is interesting as it suggests that freedom is not what it appears to be. The next line, "It doesn't mean what you think," reinforces this idea and suggests that freedom is often misunderstood.
The poem then goes on to describe the struggles of the working class. The lines, "When you're working every day/And you're barely getting by/When you're living paycheck to paycheck/And you don't know why," paint a vivid picture of the hardships faced by the working class. The use of the phrase "barely getting by" highlights the fact that even though they are working hard, they are still struggling to make ends meet. The line "And you don't know why" suggests that the working class is often left wondering why they are in this situation despite their hard work.
The next few lines of the poem describe the impact of poverty on the working class. The lines, "When you can't afford to eat/And you can't afford to sleep/When you're living in a world/That's designed to make you weep," highlight the fact that poverty is not just about lack of money, but also about lack of basic necessities like food and shelter. The phrase "designed to make you weep" suggests that the system is rigged against the working class and that they are constantly struggling to survive.
The poem then takes a turn and talks about the idea of freedom. The lines, "Freedom is a word they use/To keep you in your place/They tell you that you're free/But they won't let you escape," suggest that the idea of freedom is often used as a tool to control the working class. The phrase "keep you in your place" suggests that the working class is not meant to rise above their station and that the idea of freedom is used to keep them in check. The line "But they won't let you escape" suggests that even though they are told they are free, they are still trapped in their situation.
The poem then goes on to describe the impact of this on the working class. The lines, "And you're trapped inside a system/That's designed to keep you down/And you're living in a world/Where freedom can't be found," highlight the fact that the working class is trapped in a system that is designed to keep them down. The phrase "where freedom can't be found" suggests that even though they are told they are free, they are still living in a world where they are not truly free.
The poem then ends with the lines, "So you struggle every day/Just to make it through the night/And you dream of a world/Where freedom is a right." These lines suggest that even though the working class is struggling, they still have hope for a better future. The phrase "where freedom is a right" suggests that the working class believes that they deserve to be free and that they will continue to fight for their rights.
In conclusion, "A Sad State of Freedom" is a powerful poem that highlights the struggles of the working class and their fight for freedom. The poem is a reflection of Nazim Hikmet's political beliefs and his desire for a more just society. The use of vivid imagery and powerful language makes the poem a compelling read and leaves a lasting impact on the reader's mind. Even though the poem was written in the 20th century, its message is still relevant today and serves as a reminder of the importance of fighting for freedom and justice.
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