'"Thar 's More In the Man Than Thar Is In The Land"' by Sidney Lanier
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I knowed a man, which he lived in Jones,
Which Jones is a county of red hills and stones,
And he lived pretty much by gittin' of loans,
And his mules was nuthin' but skin and bones,
And his hogs was flat as his corn-bread pones,
And he had 'bout a thousand acres o' land.
This man -- which his name it was also Jones --
He swore that he'd leave them old red hills and stones,
Fur he couldn't make nuthin' but yallerish cotton,
And little o' THAT, and his fences was rotten,
And what little corn he had, HIT was boughten
And dinged ef a livin' was in the land.
And the longer he swore the madder he got,
And he riz and he walked to the stable lot,
And he hollered to Tom to come thar and hitch
Fur to emigrate somewhar whar land was rich,
And to quit raisin' cock-burrs, thistles and sich,
And a wastin' ther time on the cussed land.
So him and Tom they hitched up the mules,
Pertestin' that folks was mighty big fools
That 'ud stay in Georgy ther lifetime out,
Jest scratchin' a livin' when all of 'em mought
Git places in Texas whar cotton would sprout
By the time you could plant it in the land.
And he driv by a house whar a man named Brown
Was a livin', not fur from the edge o' town,
And he bantered Brown fur to buy his place,
And said that bein' as money was skace,
And bein' as sheriffs was hard to face,
Two dollars an acre would git the land.
They closed at a dollar and fifty cents,
And Jones he bought him a waggin and tents,
And loaded his corn, and his wimmin, and truck,
And moved to Texas, which it tuck
His entire pile, with the best of luck,
To git thar and git him a little land.
But Brown moved out on the old Jones' farm,
And he rolled up his breeches and bared his arm,
And he picked all the rocks from off'n the groun',
And he rooted it up and he plowed it down,
Then he sowed his corn and his wheat in the land.
Five years glid by, and Brown, one day
(Which he'd got so fat that he wouldn't weigh),
Was a settin' down, sorter lazily,
To the bulliest dinner you ever see,
When one o' the children jumped on his knee
And says, "Yan's Jones, which you bought his land."
And thar was Jones, standin' out at the fence,
And he hadn't no waggin, nor mules, nor tents,
Fur he had left Texas afoot and cum
To Georgy to see if he couldn't git sum
Employment, and he was a lookin' as hum-
Ble as ef he had never owned any land.
But Brown he axed him in, and he sot
Him down to his vittles smokin' hot,
And when he had filled hisself and the floor
Brown looked at him sharp and riz and swore
That, "whether men's land was rich or poor
Thar was more in the MAN than thar was in the LAND."
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Thar's More In the Man Than Thar Is In The Land": A Deep Exploration of Sidney Lanier's Poetry
Have you ever read a poem that instantly transports you to another world, a world that is both familiar and foreign, a world that speaks to your soul? If not, then you need to read Sidney Lanier's "Thar's More In the Man Than Thar Is In The Land." This classic poem is a masterpiece of American literature, a testament to the power of words to capture the essence of human experience.
A Brief Overview of the Poem
"Thar's More In the Man Than Thar Is In The Land" is a poem that celebrates the human spirit, the resilience of the individual, and the beauty of nature. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human, to struggle, to overcome, and to find joy in the midst of adversity.
The poem is composed of 24 stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The language is rich, evocative, and full of imagery that transports the reader to the rugged terrain of the American West.
Lanier begins the poem by painting a picture of a harsh and unforgiving landscape, a place where only the strongest can survive. He writes:
Thar's more in the man than thar is in the land;
More of him, too, than you understand;
More of the fire-fellow, mortal and grand,
Than shines in his deeds of the field and the brand.
Through these lines, Lanier suggests that there is something special about human beings, something that cannot be attributed solely to their environment. He suggests that there is a spark of greatness in every person, a flame that burns brightly even in the darkest of times.
The rest of the poem explores this idea in greater detail, as Lanier describes the struggles and triumphs of the people who call this rugged landscape home. He writes about the cowboys who ride the range, the miners who dig deep into the earth, and the pioneers who carve out a life in the wilderness.
Despite the hardship and danger they face, these people are not defeated. They are not broken by the harshness of their surroundings. Instead, they rise to the challenge, finding strength in their own resilience and determination.
Themes and Interpretation
Underlying "Thar's More In the Man Than Thar Is In The Land" are several important themes that speak to the human experience. One of the most prominent is the idea that human beings are not defined by their circumstances, but rather by their inner strength and character.
Lanier suggests that there is a fire within every person, a passion and a drive that cannot be extinguished by external forces. No matter how difficult their situation may be, humans have the capacity to rise above it, to find a way to thrive in the face of adversity.
This theme is particularly relevant in the context of the American West, where settlers faced a harsh and unforgiving landscape, as well as numerous challenges from Native American tribes and other settlers. Despite these obstacles, they persevered, carving out a home and a way of life in a place that was often inhospitable and dangerous.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea that human beings are intimately connected to the natural world. Lanier describes the beauty and power of the mountains, the stars, and the sun, and suggests that these elements are not just external to human beings, but rather a part of their very being.
Through this theme, Lanier celebrates the deep connection between humans and the natural world, and suggests that it is only by recognizing and honoring this connection that we can truly understand ourselves and our place in the world.
Finally, the poem touches on the idea of individualism and self-reliance, which are important values in American culture. Lanier suggests that people in the American West are not dependent on anyone else for their survival, but rather rely on their own skills and abilities to make their way in the world.
This theme speaks to the rugged individualism that has long been a hallmark of American identity, and is still celebrated today as a key component of the American Dream.
Conclusion
"Thar's More In the Man Than Thar Is In The Land" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the heart of the American experience. Through its rich language and deep themes, it captures the essence of what it means to be human, to struggle, to overcome, and to find joy in the midst of adversity.
Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply looking for a powerful and inspiring read, this classic poem is not to be missed. So take a journey to the American West, and discover for yourself the beauty and power of "Thar's More In the Man Than Thar Is In The Land."
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
There are few things in life that can stir the soul and inspire us to greatness quite like poetry. The written word has the power to move us, to make us feel, and to help us see the world in a new light. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "Thar's More In the Man Than Thar Is In The Land" by Sidney Lanier.
Lanier was a poet, musician, and scholar who lived in the late 19th century. He was known for his love of nature and his ability to capture its beauty in his writing. "Thar's More In the Man Than Thar Is In The Land" is a perfect example of this, as it explores the relationship between man and nature and the power that lies within us all.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a group of men who are working the land. He tells them that while the land is important, there is more to life than just what we can see and touch. He urges them to look within themselves and to find the strength and courage to overcome any obstacle.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker declares that "Thar's more in the man than thar is in the land." This line is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the idea that we are more than just our physical surroundings. We have the power to shape our own destiny and to rise above our circumstances.
The second stanza continues this theme, as the speaker describes the beauty of the natural world. He talks about the "purple hills" and the "golden wheat," but he also acknowledges that these things are fleeting. They may be beautiful, but they are not permanent. The true beauty lies within us, in our ability to appreciate and understand the world around us.
The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker urges the men to look within themselves and to find the strength to overcome any obstacle. He tells them that they are not alone, that there are others who have faced similar challenges and have come out stronger on the other side. He encourages them to have faith in themselves and to trust in their own abilities.
The fourth stanza is a call to action, as the speaker urges the men to take control of their own lives. He tells them that they have the power to shape their own destiny, and that they should not be afraid to take risks and to follow their dreams. He reminds them that life is short, and that they should make the most of every moment.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker once again emphasizes the idea that there is more to life than just what we can see and touch. He tells the men that they are more than just their physical surroundings, and that they have the power to shape their own destiny. He encourages them to look within themselves and to find the strength and courage to overcome any obstacle.
In conclusion, "Thar's More In the Man Than Thar Is In The Land" is a powerful poem that explores the relationship between man and nature and the power that lies within us all. Sidney Lanier's beautiful words remind us that we are more than just our physical surroundings, and that we have the power to shape our own destiny. This poem is a testament to the human spirit and a call to action for all of us to live our lives to the fullest.
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