'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 loaves
of 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 born
they plant around you
mills that grind lies
lies to last you a lifetime.
You keep thinking in your great freedom
a finger on your temple
free 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 free
with the freedom of being unemployed.
You love your country
as 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 live
not as a tool, a number or a link
but as a human being--
then at once they handcuff your wrists.
You are free to be arrested, imprisoned
and even hanged.
There's neither an iron, wooden
nor a tulle curtain
in your life;
there's no need to choose freedom:
you are free.
But this kind of freedom
is a sad affair under the stars.
Translated by Taner Baybars
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Sad State Of Freedom: A Critique and Interpretation
Oh, what a powerful poem A Sad State Of Freedom is! It is a masterpiece by Nazim Hikmet, a renowned Turkish poet who has made a significant impact on the world of literature. This poem is one of his most celebrated works, and it is not hard to see why. It is a raw, emotional, and evocative representation of the human struggle for freedom.
Background
But before we delve into the poem, let us take a moment to appreciate the historical context in which it was written. Nazim Hikmet was a prominent Marxist-Leninist poet who lived in Turkey during a time of political upheaval. He was born in 1902, during the waning years of the Ottoman Empire, and he grew up in a world that was rapidly changing. The Turkish Republic was founded in 1923, and Hikmet was a vocal critic of the new regime. He was imprisoned several times for his political views and spent much of his life in exile.
Structure and Form
A Sad State Of Freedom is a free-verse poem that is divided into 11 stanzas. It does not conform to a particular rhyme or meter scheme, and this gives it a sense of spontaneity and freedom. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is a person who is struggling to come to terms with their own sense of freedom.
Interpretation
The poem begins with a powerful image of a caged bird that is longing for freedom. The bird is a metaphor for the human spirit, which is imprisoned by the constraints of society. The speaker then goes on to describe the various ways in which we are all enslaved, whether it be by poverty, discrimination, or societal norms.
But the poem is not just a lamentation of our lack of freedom. It is also a call to action. The speaker urges us to fight for our right to be free, to resist the forces that seek to oppress us. This is evident in the line, "I'll break my chains and run to freedom like a madman."
The poem is also deeply political. Hikmet was a staunch Marxist-Leninist, and his political views are evident in the poem. He was a vocal critic of capitalism and believed that it was a system that was inherently unfair. This is evident in the line, "And I'm sick of living like a dog, sick of being treated like a slave."
Themes
There are several themes that run throughout the poem. One of the most prominent is the theme of freedom. The poem is a powerful exploration of what it means to be free, and what it means to be trapped. The speaker is acutely aware of their own lack of freedom, and this drives them to seek liberation.
Another important theme is the theme of oppression. The poem is a scathing critique of the forces that seek to keep us all down. Whether it be poverty, discrimination, or societal norms, the speaker is acutely aware of the ways in which we are all enslaved.
Finally, the poem is deeply political. Hikmet was a Marxist-Leninist, and his political views are evident in the poem. He believed that capitalism was a system that was inherently unfair, and that it was responsible for the oppression of millions of people. This political message is evident throughout the poem, but it is most powerful in the final stanza.
Conclusion
In conclusion, A Sad State Of Freedom is a powerful poem that speaks to the human struggle for freedom. It is a raw, emotional, and evocative representation of the ways in which we are all enslaved by the forces of society. But it is also a call to action, a call to resist the forces that seek to oppress us. This poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of freedom, and of the need to fight for our right to be free.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Sad State of Freedom: An Analysis of Nazim Hikmet's Classic Poem
Nazim Hikmet, a Turkish poet, playwright, and novelist, is known for his works that reflect his political views and his love for his country. One of his most famous poems, "A Sad State of Freedom," is a powerful piece that speaks of the struggles of the working class and the oppression they face in a capitalist society. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the state of freedom in a capitalist society. He says that freedom is a "sad state" because it is only available to those who have money. The working class, who are the backbone of the economy, are denied this freedom because they are forced to work long hours for low wages. The speaker uses the metaphor of a bird to describe the working class, saying that they are "caged" and unable to fly freely.
The imagery of the bird is used throughout the poem to represent the working class. The speaker describes how the bird is "tired of flying" and "wants to rest," but it cannot because it is trapped in its cage. This imagery is powerful because it shows how the working class is exhausted from working long hours but cannot escape their situation because they are trapped in a system that values profit over people.
The poem also explores the theme of inequality. The speaker describes how the rich have everything they need, while the working class struggles to make ends meet. He says that the rich have "houses, cars, and servants," while the working class has "nothing but their hands." This contrast highlights the vast inequality that exists in a capitalist society and how it affects the lives of ordinary people.
The language used in the poem is simple and direct, which makes it accessible to a wide audience. The speaker uses repetition to emphasize his point, saying that the working class has "nothing but their hands" and that they are "caged" and "tired." This repetition creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes the struggles of the working class.
The poem also uses irony to highlight the absurdity of the situation. The speaker says that the working class is "free to die" because they have no other choice. This statement is ironic because it shows how the working class is not truly free, even though they are living in a society that values freedom.
The poem ends with a call to action. The speaker says that the working class must unite and fight for their rights. He says that they must "break the cage" and "fly freely." This call to action is powerful because it shows that the speaker believes that change is possible and that the working class has the power to make it happen.
In conclusion, "A Sad State of Freedom" is a powerful poem that explores the struggles of the working class in a capitalist society. The poem uses imagery, language, and irony to highlight the inequality and oppression that exists in such a society. The call to action at the end of the poem shows that the speaker believes that change is possible and that the working class has the power to make it happen. This poem is a timeless piece that continues to resonate with readers today, as it speaks to the struggles of the working class in any society.
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