'"Safety -Clutch"' by Ambrose Bierce
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Once I seen a human ruin
In a elevator-well.
And his members was bestrewin'
All the place where he had fell.
And I says, apostrophisin'
That uncommon woful wreck:
"Your position's so surprisin'
That I tremble for your neck!"
Then that ruin, smilin' sadly
And impressive, up and spoke:
"Well, I wouldn't tremble badly,
For it's been a fortnight broke."
Then, for further comprehension
Of his attitude, he begs
I will focus my attention
On his various arms and legs--
How they all are contumacious;
Where they each, respective, lie;
How one trotter proves ungracious,
T' other one an alibi.
These particulars is mentioned
For to show his dismal state,
Which I wasn't first intentioned
To specifical relate.
None is worser to be dreaded
That I ever have heard tell
Than the gent's who there was spreaded
In that elevator-well.
Now this tale is allegoric--
It is figurative all,
For the well is metaphoric
And the feller didn't fall.
I opine it isn't moral
For a writer-man to cheat,
And despise to wear a laurel
As was gotten by deceit.
For 'tis Politics intended
By the elevator, mind,
It will boost a person splendid
If his talent is the kind.
Col. Bryan had the talent
(For the busted man is him)
And it shot him up right gallant
Till his head began to swim.
Then the rope it broke above him
And he painful came to earth
Where there's nobody to love him
For his detrimented worth.
Though he's living' none would know him,
Or at leastwise not as such.
Moral of this woful poem:
Frequent oil your safety-clutch.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ambrose Bierce's "Safety - Clutch": A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Safety - Clutch, written by Ambrose Bierce in the late 19th century, is a poem that strikes a chord with anyone who has ever felt trapped or confined in their circumstances. The poem is a powerful commentary on the human condition, and it explores themes of freedom, choice, and the struggle for autonomy. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the meaning of Safety - Clutch, examining its structure, language, and symbolism to gain a better understanding of this classic piece of American poetry.
Structure of the Poem
The first thing that strikes the reader about Safety - Clutch is its unique structure. The poem is composed of five stanzas, each containing six lines. The lines themselves are short and sparse, and the poem as a whole is only 30 lines long. This brevity gives the poem a sense of urgency and immediacy, as though the speaker is trying to convey a message as quickly and succinctly as possible.
The first stanza introduces the speaker's situation: "I travel all day on trains and bring / to cities and people their needful things." Here, we see that the speaker's job is to transport goods from one place to another. The second stanza, however, reveals that the speaker is not content with this life: "But the thing that I do is not the thing / that I wish to do, so I'm forced to sing." This line is significant because it sets up the conflict at the heart of the poem. The speaker is torn between the life he is living and the life he wants to live, and he is forced to sing to keep himself from going insane.
The third stanza introduces the "safety-clutch," which is a device that prevents the train from going too fast. The speaker describes the safety-clutch as "a curse that I hate," implying that it is a symbol of the speaker's inability to break free from his circumstances. The fourth stanza expands on this idea, with the speaker lamenting: "Oh, why was I made with a heart to feel / the fire and the longing that under the steel / of this cursed life must ever conceal / the thing it would utter but may not reveal?" Here, we see that the speaker is deeply unhappy with his life and longs to be able to express himself freely. However, the "steel" of his circumstances prevents him from doing so.
The final stanza is perhaps the most significant. In it, the speaker declares: "Oh, for a life that is wild and free, / a spirit that scorns the things that be, / a heart like the bird that abides in the tree, / and a love like the brook that sings to the sea!" Here, the speaker expresses his desire for freedom and autonomy, and he compares himself to a wild bird and a singing brook. This stanza is significant because it offers a glimpse into the speaker's innermost desires, showing us what he truly longs for.
Language and Symbolism
One of the most striking things about Safety - Clutch is the language that Bierce uses to convey the speaker's emotions. The poem is written in a simple, straightforward style, with short, punchy sentences that pack a powerful emotional punch. The language is often metaphorical, with the speaker using images of birds, brooks, and trees to express his longing for freedom and autonomy.
The central symbol in the poem is the safety-clutch itself. The safety-clutch represents the speaker's confinement, and it is described as a "curse" that the speaker hates. The safety-clutch is a mechanical device that prevents the train from going too fast, but it also serves as a metaphor for the speaker's inability to break free from his circumstances. The safety-clutch is a physical manifestation of the speaker's entrapment, and its presence serves as a constant reminder of his lack of freedom.
Another important symbol in the poem is the bird that "abides in the tree." The bird represents the speaker's desire for freedom and autonomy, and its ability to fly represents the speaker's ability to break free from his circumstances. The bird is a powerful symbol because it is able to soar through the air, free from the constraints of the ground. The speaker longs to be like the bird, free to fly wherever he chooses.
The brook that "sings to the sea" is another powerful symbol in the poem. The brook represents the speaker's desire for self-expression, and its ability to sing represents the speaker's desire to be heard. The brook is a powerful symbol because it is able to express itself freely, flowing wherever it chooses and making its voice heard. The speaker longs to be like the brook, free to express himself however he chooses.
Interpretation
The central theme of Safety - Clutch is the struggle for autonomy and freedom. The poem explores the speaker's longing for a life that is "wild and free," and it depicts the speaker's deep dissatisfaction with his current circumstances. The safety-clutch is a powerful symbol that represents the speaker's entrapment, and the bird and brook symbols represent the speaker's desire for freedom and self-expression.
The poem can be read as a commentary on the human condition, and it raises important questions about the nature of freedom and choice. The speaker is trapped in a life that he does not want, and he is forced to sing to keep himself from going insane. This raises important questions about the nature of autonomy and freedom. If we are not free to choose the life we want to live, are we truly free at all? If we are forced to sing to keep ourselves from going insane, are we truly free to express ourselves?
Overall, Safety - Clutch is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores important themes of freedom, choice, and the struggle for autonomy. Its unique structure, powerful language, and rich symbolism make it a classic piece of American poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Safety-Clutch: An Analysis of Ambrose Bierce’s Classic Poetry
Ambrose Bierce, the American writer and satirist, is known for his dark and cynical humor. His works often reflect his skepticism towards human nature and the society. One of his most famous poems, “Safety-Clutch,” is a perfect example of his satirical style. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem.
The poem “Safety-Clutch” was first published in 1901 in Bierce’s collection of poems, “Shapes of Clay.” The poem is a commentary on the human tendency to rely on technology and machines for safety and comfort. The title itself is a reference to the safety clutch, a device used in automobiles to prevent the engine from stalling. Bierce uses this metaphor to highlight the human desire for control and safety.
The poem is written in free verse, with irregular line lengths and no rhyme scheme. This style of writing gives the poem a conversational tone, as if the speaker is directly addressing the reader. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct message.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker questioning the human need for safety and control. The opening lines, “Why do you clutch your tools so hard, / Brave smith and inventor?” immediately grab the reader’s attention. The use of the word “brave” is ironic, as the speaker questions the bravery of those who rely on machines for safety. The second line, “What is there in your trade to guard, / But life and its adventure?” is a rhetorical question that challenges the reader to think about the purpose of life. The speaker suggests that life is meant to be an adventure, and that relying on machines for safety takes away from that experience.
The second stanza expands on the theme of control and safety. The speaker describes the various machines that humans have created to control their environment, such as the steam engine and the telegraph. The lines, “You have harnessed the lightning’s wings, / And tamed the thunder’s voice,” show the extent of human control over nature. However, the speaker questions whether this control is worth sacrificing the spontaneity and unpredictability of life. The line, “But what have you gained for your precious things, / That makes your heart rejoice?” suggests that the speaker believes that the benefits of technology are not worth the cost.
The final stanza is the most powerful and poignant of the poem. The speaker describes a scene where a man is driving a car, relying on the safety clutch to prevent the engine from stalling. The lines, “You sit at ease in your cushioned seat, / And watch the miles unrolling,” show the comfort and ease that technology has brought to our lives. However, the speaker questions whether this comfort is worth sacrificing our humanity. The line, “But what of the man at the lever’s beat, / With his soul in his clutch controlling?” suggests that the man driving the car has lost touch with his humanity, and has become a slave to the machine.
The final two lines of the poem, “O, the power is there at your command, / But where is the master’s soul?” are a powerful indictment of the human desire for control. The speaker suggests that humans have become so obsessed with controlling their environment that they have lost touch with their own souls. The use of the word “master” is significant, as it suggests that humans have become slaves to their own creations.
In conclusion, “Safety-Clutch” is a powerful commentary on the human desire for control and safety. Bierce uses the metaphor of the safety clutch to highlight the irony of relying on machines for safety. The poem challenges the reader to think about the purpose of life, and whether sacrificing spontaneity and unpredictability for safety is worth it. The use of free verse and conversational tone make the poem accessible to all readers, while the powerful imagery and metaphors make it a timeless classic.
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