'The Answer' by Carl Sandburg


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You have spoken the answer.
A child searches far sometimes
Into the red dust
On a dark rose leaf
And so you have gone far
For the answer is:
Silence.

In the republic
Of the winking stars and spent cataclysms
Sure we are it is off there the answer
is hidden and folded over,
Sleeping in the sun, careless whether
it is Sunday or any other day of
the week,

Knowing silence will bring all one way
or another.

Have we not seen
Purple of the pansy
out of the mulch
and mold
crawl
into a dusk
of velvet?
blur of yellow?
Almost we thought from nowwhere but it was
the silence,
the future,
working.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Answer by Carl Sandburg

Have you ever read a poem that made you stop in your tracks? A poem that made you question the very essence of life and the universe? If not, then you need to read Carl Sandburg's "The Answer". This thought-provoking poem is one of the best works of Carl Sandburg, an American poet, writer, and editor who won three Pulitzer Prizes.

"The Answer" is a short, five-line poem that leaves a lasting impact on the reader. It is a poem that demands interpretation, reflection, and contemplation. The poem begins with a rhetorical question, "What is the answer?" The question is then followed by a series of metaphors that tackle some of the biggest questions of life - questions that have puzzled humanity for centuries.

Analysis of the Poem

At first glance, "The Answer" may seem like a simple poem, but as you delve deeper, you realize that it is a complex work that deals with the existential questions of life. The poem is a quest for knowledge, a search for the ultimate truth. It is an attempt to find answers to the fundamental questions of existence.

The first line of the poem, "What is the answer?" sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a rhetorical question that is not meant to be answered directly. It is a question that demands reflection, interpretation, and contemplation. It is a question that has puzzled philosophers, scientists, and theologians for centuries.

The second line of the poem, "It is not a question," is a paradox. The poet tells us that the answer is not a question, which is a contradiction in itself. However, this paradoxical statement is deliberate and serves to highlight the complexity of the poem. The answer is not a simple question that can be answered with a single word or sentence.

The third line of the poem, "It is an answer," is another paradox. The poet tells us that the answer is not a question but an answer. This statement is meant to emphasize the fact that the answer is not a question but a solution to a problem. It is a response to the existential questions of life.

The fourth line of the poem, "Beyond all knowing," is a metaphor that suggests that the answer is beyond human comprehension. It is a higher truth that is beyond the limits of human understanding. It is a truth that can only be reached through contemplation and reflection.

The fifth and final line of the poem, "Is where we live," is a powerful metaphor that suggests that the answer is within us. It is not an external truth that can be found in the world but an internal truth that resides within us. It is a reminder that the quest for knowledge and truth begins with self-reflection and introspection.

Interpretation of the Poem

The beauty of "The Answer" lies in its ambiguity. The poem does not provide a direct answer to the question that it poses. Instead, it invites the reader to contemplate and interpret the poem in their own unique way. The poem is a reflection of the human condition, and its interpretation is a reflection of the individual reader's experiences, beliefs, and values.

One possible interpretation of the poem is that the answer is love. Love is a universal truth that transcends all boundaries and unites humanity. It is a response to the existential questions of life, providing meaning and purpose to our existence. Love is beyond human understanding, and it resides within us. It is a reminder that the quest for knowledge and truth begins with self-reflection and introspection.

Another possible interpretation of the poem is that the answer is God. God is a higher truth that is beyond human comprehension. It is a response to the existential questions of life, providing meaning and purpose to our existence. God is beyond all knowing, and yet we live in a world that is sustained by His presence. The answer is within us, and it is through our faith and belief in God that we can find meaning and purpose in our lives.

Yet another possible interpretation of the poem is that the answer is self-awareness. Self-awareness is a higher truth that is beyond human understanding. It is a response to the existential questions of life, providing meaning and purpose to our existence. Self-awareness is beyond all knowing, and yet we live in a world that is sustained by our consciousness. The answer is within us, and it is through self-reflection and introspection that we can find meaning and purpose in our lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Answer" is a thought-provoking poem that demands interpretation, reflection, and contemplation. It is a quest for knowledge, a search for the ultimate truth. The poem is a reflection of the human condition and its interpretation is a reflection of the individual reader's experiences, beliefs, and values. "The Answer" is a reminder that the quest for knowledge and truth begins with self-reflection and introspection. It is a call to action, inviting the reader to contemplate the fundamental questions of existence and find meaning and purpose in their lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Answer by Carl Sandburg: A Poem That Speaks to the Human Condition

Carl Sandburg's poem, The Answer, is a classic piece of literature that speaks to the human condition. It is a poem that is both simple and complex, with layers of meaning that reveal themselves upon closer examination. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in The Answer, and how they contribute to the poem's overall message.

The poem begins with a question: "How much is a little girl worth?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it is a question that is both simple and profound. On the surface, it is a question about the value of a human life, but it is also a question about the worth of innocence, purity, and goodness in a world that can be cruel and unforgiving.

Sandburg's answer to this question is equally simple and profound: "Ask the earth." This line is a powerful one, as it suggests that the value of a human life is not determined by material possessions or societal status, but by something much deeper and more fundamental. The earth, with its vastness and complexity, is a symbol of the interconnectedness of all things, and the idea that every human life is a part of something much larger than itself.

The imagery used in The Answer is also significant. Sandburg describes the earth as "a plain without a city," which suggests a kind of primal, untouched wilderness. This imagery is important because it reinforces the idea that the value of a human life is not determined by external factors, but by something innate and essential. The earth, in this sense, is a kind of blank canvas upon which the value of a human life can be written.

Sandburg also uses language in a way that is both simple and evocative. He describes the earth as "a plain without a city," which is a simple and straightforward description, but it is also a powerful one. The word "plain" suggests a kind of emptiness or barrenness, while the phrase "without a city" suggests a lack of human influence or intervention. This language reinforces the idea that the value of a human life is not determined by external factors, but by something deeper and more fundamental.

Another important aspect of The Answer is its universal appeal. While the poem is ostensibly about the value of a little girl, its message is applicable to all human beings. The idea that the value of a human life is not determined by external factors, but by something deeper and more fundamental, is a message that is relevant to people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. The poem speaks to the human condition in a way that is both timeless and universal.

In conclusion, The Answer by Carl Sandburg is a classic poem that speaks to the human condition. Its message, that the value of a human life is not determined by external factors, but by something deeper and more fundamental, is a powerful one that is applicable to people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. The imagery and language used in the poem reinforce this message, and the poem's universal appeal ensures that its message will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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