'Buttons' by Carl Sandburg
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I have been watching the war map slammed up for
advertising in front of the newspaper office.
Buttons--red and yellow buttons--blue and black buttons--
are shoved back and forth across the map.
A laughing young man, sunny with freckles,
Climbs a ladder, yells a joke to somebody in the crowd,
And then fixes a yellow button one inch west
And follows the yellow button with a black button one
inch west.
(Ten thousand men and boys twist on their bodies in
a red soak along a river edge,
Gasping of wounds, calling for water, some rattling
death in their throats.)
Who would guess what it cost to move two buttons one
inch on the war map here in front of the newspaper
office where the freckle-faced young man is laughing
to us?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Literary Criticism and Interpretation: "Buttons" by Carl Sandburg
Oh boy, do I have a lot to say about Carl Sandburg's poem "Buttons." This classic piece of literature has been captivating readers for almost a century, and it's not hard to see why. With its simple language and powerful imagery, "Buttons" is a poem that speaks directly to the heart of the human experience.
At its core, "Buttons" is a meditation on memory and the passage of time. The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on a box of old buttons that they have come across. As they sift through the buttons, memories flood back to them - memories of a bygone era, memories of people and places that are long gone. The buttons become a kind of talisman, a physical object that anchors the speaker's memories in the present.
But there's more going on in this poem than just a nostalgic rumination on the past. Sandburg is also grappling with some larger philosophical questions about the nature of time itself. Throughout the poem, there is a sense of urgency and impermanence. The buttons are described as "little cold reminders" of a time that has passed, and the speaker is acutely aware that they themselves are getting older and approaching the end of their own life.
There's a sense of sadness and melancholy that runs through "Buttons," but there's also a kind of resilience and hopefulness. Despite the fact that everything is constantly changing and moving forward, the speaker is still able to find meaning and comfort in their memories. They are able to hold onto the past even as they move into the future.
One of the most striking things about "Buttons" is the way that Sandburg uses language to evoke vivid images and sensations. The buttons themselves are described as "little reddish / brown speckled buttons," and the speaker notes that they are "smooth to the touch / and colder than the night dew." These sensory details help to bring the buttons to life in the reader's mind, making them feel as if they too are holding the buttons in their hand.
Sandburg also uses figurative language to great effect in "Buttons." One of the most memorable lines in the poem is when the speaker describes the buttons as "little cold reminders / of what once meant love." This line is both beautiful and haunting, evoking a sense of loss and nostalgia that is palpable.
Another interesting aspect of "Buttons" is the way that it plays with form and structure. The poem is written in free verse, with no regular meter or rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a loose, open feel that mirrors the way that memories can be fragmented and disjointed. At the same time, Sandburg also uses repetition and parallelism to create a sense of unity and coherence. The phrase "little cold reminders" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a kind of refrain that ties everything together.
In conclusion, "Buttons" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the human experience in profound ways. Through its use of vivid imagery, figurative language, and thoughtful reflections on memory and time, Sandburg has created a work of art that continues to resonate with readers today. Whether you're reading "Buttons" for the first time or the hundredth, there's always something new to discover and appreciate in this classic piece of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Buttons by Carl Sandburg: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Metaphor
Carl Sandburg’s Buttons is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of imagery and metaphor that captures the essence of human experience. The poem is a reflection on the nature of life, love, and loss, and it speaks to the universal human condition. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and metaphors in Buttons and examine how they contribute to the poem’s overall meaning.
Themes
At its core, Buttons is a poem about the passage of time and the inevitability of change. Sandburg uses the metaphor of buttons to represent the various stages of life, from birth to death. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which represents a different stage of life. In the first section, Sandburg describes the buttons of a baby’s clothes, which represent the innocence and purity of youth. In the second section, he describes the buttons of a soldier’s uniform, which represent the bravery and sacrifice of adulthood. In the final section, he describes the buttons of an old man’s coat, which represent the wisdom and experience of old age.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of loss. Sandburg uses the metaphor of buttons falling off to represent the loss of innocence, youth, and ultimately, life itself. The poem is a reminder that nothing lasts forever and that we must cherish the moments we have while we have them.
Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of Buttons is its vivid imagery. Sandburg uses sensory details to bring the poem to life and create a powerful emotional impact. In the first section, he describes the buttons of a baby’s clothes as “little moons” and “pearls.” These images evoke a sense of innocence and purity, and they create a contrast with the harsh realities of the world.
In the second section, Sandburg describes the buttons of a soldier’s uniform as “brass disks” and “shiny bayonets.” These images represent the bravery and sacrifice of the soldier, and they create a sense of tension and danger.
In the final section, Sandburg describes the buttons of an old man’s coat as “dull brass” and “loose threads.” These images represent the wisdom and experience of old age, but they also suggest the inevitability of decay and decline.
Metaphors
Buttons is a poem that is rich in metaphor. Sandburg uses the metaphor of buttons to represent the various stages of life, but he also uses other metaphors to create a deeper meaning. For example, in the first section, he describes the baby’s clothes as “white sails” and “little boats.” These images suggest that the baby is setting out on a journey, and that life is an adventure that must be navigated.
In the second section, Sandburg uses the metaphor of a soldier’s uniform to represent the sacrifices that must be made in adulthood. He describes the uniform as “a coat of thunder” and “a coat of tears.” These images suggest that the soldier is fighting for something greater than himself, and that he is willing to endure hardship and pain for the sake of his country.
In the final section, Sandburg uses the metaphor of an old man’s coat to represent the wisdom and experience that come with age. He describes the coat as “a coat of memories” and “a coat of dreams.” These images suggest that the old man has lived a full life, and that he has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience that he can pass on to others.
Conclusion
Buttons is a classic poem that speaks to the universal human condition. It is a reflection on the nature of life, love, and loss, and it uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to create a deep emotional impact. The poem is a reminder that nothing lasts forever, and that we must cherish the moments we have while we have them. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience and to speak to the hearts of people across generations.
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