'And They Obey' by Carl Sandburg
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Smash down the cities.
Knock the walls to pieces.
Break the factories and cathedrals, warehouses
and homes
Into loose piles of stone and lumber and black
burnt wood:
You are the soldiers and we command you.
Build up the cities.
Set up the walls again.
Put together once more the factories and cathedrals,
warehouses and homes
Into buildings for life and labor:
You are workmen and citizens all: We
command you.
Editor 1 Interpretation
And They Obey: A Look into Carl Sandburg's Poetic Genius
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were transported to another world? A poem that made you not just see but feel what the author was trying to convey? If not, then you've probably never read Carl Sandburg's And They Obey.
This classic poem has been stirring emotions in readers for over a century now, and it's not hard to see why. With its vivid imagery and masterful use of language, Sandburg takes us on a journey through the power of nature and the undeniable force of fate.
But what exactly is Sandburg trying to say with this poem? And how does he manage to make his message so incredibly powerful? Let's dive in and explore the genius of Carl Sandburg's And They Obey.
The Power of Nature
One of the most striking things about this poem is the way Sandburg depicts the natural world as an unstoppable force. From the very first line, we're hit with the image of "the mountains and the sea" bending to the will of fate. It's a humbling image, reminding us of how small we are in the face of the universe.
But it's not just the mountains and sea that obey. Sandburg goes on to describe how even the "indomitable trees" and "the prairie dogs" bow to the forces of nature. It's a powerful reminder that no matter how mighty we may think we are, we're ultimately subject to the whims of the world around us.
What's fascinating about Sandburg's depiction of nature is how he manages to make it both beautiful and terrifying. The image of the "thunderstorm" looming over the landscape is both awe-inspiring and ominous. We're left with the sense that nature is both a thing of great beauty and a force to be reckoned with.
The Power of Fate
But it's not just nature that Sandburg is interested in exploring. Throughout the poem, he also delves into the idea of fate and the power it holds over our lives. From the "lone wolf" to the "scavenger crow," every creature in this world is subject to the whims of fate.
What's fascinating about Sandburg's depiction of fate is how he manages to make it both personal and universal. On the one hand, we see the "soulless eyes" of the coyote as it stares into the face of its own mortality. On the other hand, we're left with the sense that this struggle is something that every living creature must face.
Sandburg doesn't give us any easy answers when it comes to the idea of fate. We're left with the sense that it's a force beyond our control, something that we must simply accept and endure. And yet, there's also a sense of beauty in this struggle. As Sandburg writes, "Life never was a rose garden, nor will it be."
The Power of Language
Of course, none of this would be possible without Sandburg's incredible use of language. From the opening line to the final stanza, every word seems carefully chosen to convey a specific mood or emotion.
One of the things that makes Sandburg's language so powerful is its simplicity. There are no fancy metaphors or flowery language here. Instead, Sandburg relies on the power of words themselves, using them like paint to create vivid images in our minds.
Take, for example, the line "And the winds of the mountains and sea obey." There's something incredibly evocative about the way Sandburg uses the word "obey" here. It's a simple word, but it conveys so much about the power dynamics at play in his poem.
Another example is the line "They never will ask the blessing of what is to be." The use of the word "blessing" here is incredibly powerful. It implies that there's some sort of divine force at work in the world, watching over us and guiding our lives. And yet, Sandburg reminds us that this force is not something we can control or even fully understand.
Conclusion
So what can we take away from Carl Sandburg's And They Obey? At its core, this poem is a meditation on the power of nature and the forces that shape our lives. It's a reminder that no matter how much we try to control our own destinies, we're ultimately subject to a power beyond our comprehension.
But perhaps more than anything else, And They Obey is a testament to the power of language itself. Sandburg's use of words is so skillful, so evocative, that we can't help but be swept up in the world he's created. It's a world of beauty and terror, of struggle and acceptance.
If you've never read this poem before, I urge you to do so. And if you have read it, read it again. There's always something new to discover in the words of Carl Sandburg.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
And They Obey: A Masterpiece of Carl Sandburg
Carl Sandburg, the renowned American poet, wrote a plethora of poems that captured the essence of the American spirit. His works were often characterized by their simplicity, yet they were profound in their meaning. One of his most famous poems, And They Obey, is a masterpiece that explores the relationship between man and nature. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this poem and analyze its meaning.
The poem begins with the line, "I heard a cry in the night," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The cry in the night is a metaphor for the call of nature, which is often ignored by man. Sandburg is trying to convey the idea that nature is constantly calling out to us, but we are too busy with our lives to pay attention to it.
The next line, "A thousand miles it came," emphasizes the vastness of nature and how it is all around us, even if we don't realize it. Sandburg is trying to show us that nature is not just limited to the trees and the flowers, but it is also present in the wind, the rain, and the stars.
The third line, "Wingless, crawling, writhing on the ground," is a powerful image that shows the different forms that nature can take. It is not just limited to the majestic creatures that roam the earth, but it is also present in the smallest of creatures that crawl on the ground. Sandburg is trying to convey the idea that nature is all-encompassing and that we should appreciate it in all its forms.
The fourth line, "And who are you?" is a rhetorical question that is directed towards the reader. Sandburg is trying to make us question our place in the world and our relationship with nature. He is asking us to reflect on whether we are doing enough to protect the environment and whether we are living in harmony with nature.
The fifth line, "I whispered, I am a man," is a response to the previous question. Sandburg is trying to show us that man is often arrogant and thinks that he is above nature. He is trying to convey the idea that we need to humble ourselves and realize that we are just a small part of the larger ecosystem.
The sixth line, "And nature said, you are a part, not apart," is a powerful statement that encapsulates the theme of the poem. Sandburg is trying to show us that we are not separate from nature, but we are a part of it. He is trying to convey the idea that we need to work with nature and not against it.
The seventh line, "And they obey," is a powerful statement that shows the power of nature. Sandburg is trying to convey the idea that nature is not something that can be controlled, but it is something that we need to respect. He is trying to show us that if we work with nature, it will work with us.
The eighth line, "I saw in a flash a thousand years of man," is a powerful image that shows the fleeting nature of human existence. Sandburg is trying to convey the idea that we are just a small part of the larger picture and that our time on earth is limited. He is trying to make us reflect on how we are spending our time and whether we are making a positive impact on the world.
The ninth line, "Crawl, wingless, crawling, writhing on the ground," is a repetition of the third line. Sandburg is trying to show us that no matter how much we try to control nature, it will always be present in its various forms. He is trying to convey the idea that we need to appreciate nature in all its forms and not just the ones that are aesthetically pleasing.
The tenth line, "And I said to him, be still, you are dead," is a powerful statement that shows the arrogance of man. Sandburg is trying to convey the idea that we often think that we have control over nature, but in reality, we are just a small part of it. He is trying to make us realize that we need to respect nature and not try to control it.
The eleventh line, "And they obey," is a repetition of the seventh line. Sandburg is trying to show us that nature will always be present and that we need to work with it, not against it.
In conclusion, And They Obey is a powerful poem that explores the relationship between man and nature. Sandburg is trying to convey the idea that we are not separate from nature, but we are a part of it. He is trying to make us realize that we need to work with nature and not against it. The poem is a powerful reminder that we need to respect nature and appreciate it in all its forms. Sandburg's use of imagery and repetition makes the poem a masterpiece that will continue to inspire generations to come.
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