'To the Bartholdi Statue' by Ambrose Bierce
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O Liberty, God-gifted--
Young and immortal maid--
In your high hand uplifted,
The torch declares your trade.
Its crimson menace, flaming
Upon the sea and shore,
Is, trumpet-like, proclaiming
That Law shall be no more.
Austere incendiary,
We're blinking in the light;
Where is your customary
Grenade of dynamite?
Where are your staves and switches
For men of gentle birth?
Your mask and dirk for riches?
Your chains for wit and worth?
Perhaps, you've brought the halters
You used in the old days,
When round religion's altars
You stabled Cromwell's bays?
Behind you, unsuspected,
Have you the axe, fair wench,
Wherewith you once collected
A poll-tax for the French?
America salutes you--
Preparing to "disgorge."
Take everything that suits you,
And marry Henry George.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To the Bartholdi Statue: An Analysis
Introduction
"To the Bartholdi Statue" is a poem written by Ambrose Bierce in the late 19th century. It is a piece that has been interpreted and misinterpreted over time due to its ambiguous language and symbolism. The poem is a tribute to the Statue of Liberty, which was gifted to the United States by France in 1886. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, language, and symbolism used by Bierce in the poem.
Themes
The theme of "To the Bartholdi Statue" is the idea of freedom. Bierce uses the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom, to explore the concept of liberty and its importance to the United States. The poem celebrates the ideals of liberty and freedom that the statue represents, and the role it has played in the country's history. The poem also reflects on the idea of America as a melting pot of different cultures and nationalities, united under the banner of freedom.
Language
Bierce's use of language in the poem is significant in conveying the theme of freedom. He uses a variety of literary devices, such as metaphor, alliteration, and personification, to create a vivid image of the Statue of Liberty. The opening lines of the poem, "Not like brazen giant of Greek fame, / With conquering limbs astride from land to land," create a contrast between the traditional image of a conquering hero and the more welcoming and peaceful image of the Statue of Liberty.
Bierce also uses personification to give the statue human qualities, such as "a mighty woman with a torch" and "her name Mother of Exiles." This use of personification creates an emotional connection between the reader and the statue, as if the statue were a living, breathing entity.
Symbolism
The statue itself is a symbol of freedom, but Bierce also uses other symbolism in the poem. For example, the "world-wide welcome" that the statue offers represents the idea of America as a melting pot of different cultures and nationalities. The "huddled masses" that the statue welcomes are a symbol of the waves of immigrants who came to America seeking freedom and a better life.
The torch held by the statue is also a symbol of enlightenment and knowledge. The poem suggests that the statue's light shines not only on America but also on the rest of the world, inspiring people to fight for freedom and liberty.
Interpretation
The poem "To the Bartholdi Statue" is a celebration of the ideals of freedom and liberty that the Statue of Liberty represents. Bierce uses language and symbolism to convey the idea that America is a land of opportunity, a place where people can come and make a better life for themselves. The poem also reflects on the idea of America as a melting pot of different cultures and nationalities, united under the banner of freedom.
Bierce's use of personification gives the statue a human quality, making it easier for the reader to connect with the statue on an emotional level. The poem's emphasis on the statue's torch as a symbol of enlightenment and knowledge reflects the belief that freedom and liberty are not just political ideals, but also intellectual ones.
Conclusion
"To the Bartholdi Statue" is a powerful tribute to the Statue of Liberty and the ideals of freedom and liberty that it represents. Bierce's use of language and symbolism creates a vivid image of the statue, and his celebration of America as a land of opportunity and a melting pot of cultures continues to resonate today. The poem reminds us of the importance of freedom and liberty, and the role that the statue has played in shaping the United States as a nation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To the Bartholdi Statue: An Analysis
Ambrose Bierce's "Poetry To the Bartholdi Statue" is a poem that captures the essence of the Statue of Liberty, one of the most iconic symbols of freedom and democracy in the world. The poem is a tribute to the statue's creator, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, and his vision of a world where liberty and justice prevail. In this article, we will analyze the poem in detail and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
Background
Before we delve into the poem, let's take a moment to understand the context in which it was written. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States, and it was dedicated on October 28, 1886. The statue was designed by Bartholdi, a French sculptor, and was constructed with the help of Gustave Eiffel, the engineer who designed the Eiffel Tower. The statue was a symbol of the friendship between France and the United States and was meant to represent the ideals of freedom and democracy.
Bierce, an American writer and journalist, was known for his satirical and cynical style. He was a critic of the government and the military and was not afraid to speak his mind. In "Poetry To the Bartholdi Statue," Bierce pays tribute to the statue and its creator, but he also uses the poem to criticize the government and the military for their actions.
Analysis
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different theme and tone. Let's analyze each stanza in detail.
Stanza 1
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Bierce begins by addressing the statue directly, calling it "mighty woman with a torch." The statue is personified as a woman, which is a common literary device used to represent abstract concepts such as liberty and justice. The torch that the woman holds is a symbol of enlightenment and knowledge.
Bierce then goes on to describe the statue's location, "whose flame is the imprisoned lightning." The statue is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, and the flame on the torch is actually a light that shines at night. Bierce's use of the phrase "imprisoned lightning" is a metaphor for the power of the statue's message. The statue represents the power of freedom and democracy, which are ideas that can be just as powerful as lightning.
The stanza ends with a powerful image of the statue's message spreading across the world. Bierce writes, "Her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand glows world-wide welcome." The statue is a symbol of hope and freedom for people all over the world, and Bierce captures this idea perfectly in these lines.
Stanza 2
The second stanza takes a darker turn, as Bierce criticizes the government and the military for their actions. He begins by describing the statue's history, "In air-walled Algeciras, and Gibraltar bleak and bare." Algeciras and Gibraltar are both locations where the statue was displayed before it was shipped to the United States. Bierce's use of the phrase "air-walled" is a metaphor for the isolation of the statue. It was displayed in these locations, but it was not yet a symbol of freedom and democracy.
Bierce then goes on to describe the statue's journey to the United States, "On the soil of France it lay datast." The statue was constructed in France and was shipped to the United States in pieces. Bierce's use of the word "datast" is a play on the word "dismantled." The statue was taken apart and shipped across the ocean, which is a metaphor for the destruction of the statue's message.
The stanza ends with a powerful image of the statue's message being ignored by the government and the military. Bierce writes, "And yet withal it rises sublime, serene, / Above the dust and smoke of the combatant line." The statue is a symbol of hope and freedom, but it is ignored by those who should be fighting for those ideals.
Stanza 3
The third and final stanza is a call to action. Bierce urges the reader to take up the cause of freedom and democracy and to fight for those ideals. He writes, "Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, / With conquering limbs astride from land to land." The "brazen giant" is a reference to the Colossus of Rhodes, a statue of the Greek god Helios that was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Bierce is contrasting the Colossus with the Statue of Liberty, which represents a different kind of power.
Bierce then goes on to describe the statue's message, "Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand / A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame / Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name / Mother of Exiles." The statue is a symbol of hope and freedom, and Bierce is urging the reader to take up that cause.
The poem ends with a powerful image of the statue's message spreading across the world. Bierce writes, "From her beacon-hand / Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command / The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame." The statue is a symbol of hope and freedom, and Bierce is urging the reader to take up that cause.
Conclusion
"Poetry To the Bartholdi Statue" is a powerful tribute to the Statue of Liberty and its message of freedom and democracy. Bierce's use of imagery and metaphor captures the essence of the statue and its message, and his call to action is as relevant today as it was when the poem was written. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of hope and freedom for people all over the world, and Bierce's poem is a reminder of the power of those ideals.
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