'Style' by Carl Sandburg
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Style--go ahead talking about style.
You can tell where a man gets his style just
as you can tell where Pavlowa got her legs
or Ty Cobb his batting eye.
Go on talking.
Only don't take my style away.
It's my face.
Maybe no good
but anyway, my face.
I talk with it, I sing with it, I see, taste and feel with it,
I know why I want to keep it.
Kill my style
and you break Pavlowa's legs,
and you blind Ty Cobb's batting eye.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Style: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Carl Sandburg's poem, Style, is a beautiful piece of literary work that captures the essence of a writer's style. The poem is a commentary on how a writer's style is not just about the words and sentences they use but also about their personality, their experiences, and their unique way of looking at the world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem to understand its meaning, its themes, and its relevance today.
Context
Carl Sandburg was an American poet and writer who lived from 1878 to 1967. He was known for his simple yet powerful poetry that celebrated working-class people, their struggles, and their achievements. Sandburg was also a journalist, a folk singer, and a collector of American folklore. Style was first published in his 1920 collection, Smoke and Steel, which was a reflection of the industrialization and modernization of America.
Summary
Style is a short poem of only six lines. It is a free verse poem, meaning it doesn't follow a regular rhyme or meter. Here is the poem in its entirety:
Style is the way men think they ought to be, Because they think women want them to be that way. Women think they ought to be that way, Because men think they want them to be that way. The result is that nobody is the way he thinks he is, Or even ought to be.
The poem is a commentary on the social norms and expectations that shape our behavior and our sense of self. Sandburg suggests that our style, or the way we present ourselves to the world, is not an authentic expression of who we are but rather a reflection of what we think others want us to be. This creates a disconnect between our true selves and the persona we project to the world.
Literary Devices
To understand the poem's meaning and themes, we need to first analyze the literary devices that Sandburg employs. Here are a few examples:
Metaphor
The poem uses a metaphor to describe style. Sandburg compares style to the way men and women think they ought to be. This metaphor invites us to think about style not just as a superficial aspect of our lives but as a reflection of our inner selves.
Irony
The poem is also ironic in its tone. Sandburg suggests that the result of trying to be what others want us to be is that nobody is who they think they are or who they ought to be. This irony highlights the absurdity of social norms and expectations that force us to conform to a certain standard.
Repetition
The repetition of the phrase "think they ought to be" emphasizes the pressure that society places on us to conform to a certain ideal. It also emphasizes the disconnect between our true selves and the persona we project to the world.
Paradox
The final line of the poem, "Or even ought to be," is a paradox. It suggests that the ideal of who we ought to be is itself flawed and that we should strive to be true to ourselves rather than trying to meet society's expectations.
Themes
Now that we have analyzed the literary devices in the poem, let's explore the themes it addresses.
Conformity
Style is a poem about conformity and the pressure we feel to conform to social norms and expectations. Sandburg suggests that style is not an authentic expression of our true selves but rather a reflection of what we think others want us to be. This creates a sense of disconnection between our true selves and the persona we project to the world.
Authenticity
The poem also addresses the theme of authenticity. Sandburg suggests that we should strive to be true to ourselves rather than trying to meet society's expectations. This theme is central to Sandburg's philosophy, which celebrates the working-class people and their authenticity.
Gender Roles
The poem also touches on the theme of gender roles. Sandburg suggests that men and women are pressured to conform to certain gender roles that are imposed by society. This theme is particularly relevant today as society continues to grapple with issues of gender equality.
Interpretation
So what does Carl Sandburg's Style mean? At its core, the poem is a commentary on the pressure we feel to conform to social norms and expectations. Sandburg suggests that our style, or the way we present ourselves to the world, is not an authentic expression of who we are but rather a reflection of what we think others want us to be. This creates a sense of disconnection between our true selves and the persona we project to the world.
Sandburg's message is clear: we should strive to be true to ourselves rather than trying to meet society's expectations. This theme of authenticity is central to Sandburg's philosophy, which celebrates the working-class people and their authenticity. Sandburg was a champion of the common man, and he believed that the working-class people were the true heroes of America.
The poem also touches on issues of gender roles and the pressure that men and women feel to conform to certain ideals that are imposed by society. This theme is particularly relevant today as society continues to grapple with issues of gender equality. Sandburg suggests that we should reject these gender roles and strive to be true to ourselves, regardless of our gender.
Conclusion
Carl Sandburg's Style is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of a writer's style. It is a commentary on the pressure we feel to conform to social norms and expectations and the disconnection between our true selves and the persona we project to the world. Sandburg's message is clear: we should strive to be true to ourselves rather than trying to meet society's expectations. This theme of authenticity is central to Sandburg's philosophy, which celebrates the working-class people and their authenticity.
Style is a poem that is still relevant today, as we continue to grapple with issues of conformity and authenticity. It is a reminder that we should reject the pressure to conform and strive to be true to ourselves, regardless of what society expects of us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Style: An Analysis of Carl Sandburg’s Classic Poem
Carl Sandburg’s poem “Style” is a classic piece of literature that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and enthusiasts alike. The poem is a reflection on the nature of style and its importance in our lives. In this article, we will delve into the poem’s meaning, structure, and literary devices to understand its significance.
The poem begins with the line, “Style is the way of doing things.” This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the central theme of style. Sandburg is suggesting that style is not just a matter of aesthetics, but a way of life. It is the way we approach everything we do, from the way we dress to the way we speak.
Sandburg goes on to describe the different types of style that exist in the world. He writes, “Style is the way of saying things, and the way one says things.” Here, he is suggesting that style is not just about what we say, but how we say it. The way we communicate our thoughts and ideas is just as important as the thoughts and ideas themselves.
Sandburg then moves on to describe the different styles of dress that exist in the world. He writes, “Style is the way of wearing a hat, of smoking a cigar, of wearing a vest.” Here, he is suggesting that style is not just about what we wear, but how we wear it. The way we carry ourselves and present ourselves to the world is just as important as the clothes we wear.
Sandburg then goes on to describe the different styles of music that exist in the world. He writes, “Style is the way of playing the fiddle, of singing a song, of dancing a jig.” Here, he is suggesting that style is not just about the notes we play or the words we sing, but how we play them and sing them. The way we express ourselves through music is just as important as the music itself.
The poem then takes a turn, as Sandburg begins to suggest that style is not just a matter of personal preference, but a reflection of our culture and society. He writes, “Style is the way of putting things together, of making a pattern, of building a structure.” Here, he is suggesting that style is not just about individual expression, but about the way we create and organize our world.
Sandburg then goes on to describe the different styles of architecture that exist in the world. He writes, “Style is the way of building a house, of designing a bridge, of laying out a city.” Here, he is suggesting that style is not just about the way we decorate our homes, but about the way we shape our environment.
The poem then takes another turn, as Sandburg suggests that style is not just a reflection of our culture and society, but a reflection of our values and beliefs. He writes, “Style is the way of thinking, of feeling, of believing.” Here, he is suggesting that style is not just about what we do or how we do it, but about why we do it.
Sandburg then goes on to describe the different styles of literature that exist in the world. He writes, “Style is the way of writing a poem, of telling a story, of painting a picture.” Here, he is suggesting that style is not just about the words we use or the images we create, but about the ideas and emotions we express through them.
The poem then ends with the line, “Style is the difference, a way of doing, a way of being done.” Here, Sandburg is suggesting that style is what sets us apart from one another. It is what makes us unique and individual. It is what defines us as human beings.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This allows Sandburg to explore the theme of style in a more fluid and organic way. The poem is also divided into stanzas, with each stanza exploring a different aspect of style.
In terms of literary devices, Sandburg uses repetition throughout the poem to emphasize the importance of style. He repeats the phrase “Style is” several times, each time exploring a different aspect of style. He also uses imagery to describe the different styles that exist in the world, from the way we dress to the way we build our cities.
In conclusion, Carl Sandburg’s poem “Style” is a powerful reflection on the nature of style and its importance in our lives. Through his exploration of different types of style, Sandburg suggests that style is not just a matter of personal preference, but a reflection of our culture, society, values, and beliefs. The poem’s structure and literary devices allow Sandburg to explore this theme in a fluid and organic way, making it a classic piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
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