'A Man's a Man for A' That' by Robert Burns

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Is there for honesty poverty
That hings his head, an' a' that;
The coward slave - we pass him by,
We dare be poor for a' that!
For a' that, an' a' that,
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.

What though on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hoddin grey, an' a' that?
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine,
A man's a man for a' that.
For a' that, an' a' that,
Their tinsel show, an' a' that,
The honest man, tho' e'er sae poor,
Is king o' men for a' that.

Ye see yon birkie ca'd a lord,
Wha struts, an' stares, an' a' that;
Tho' hundreds worship at his word,
He's but a coof for a' that.
For a' that, an' a' that,
His ribband, star, an' a' that,
The man o' independent mind
He looks an' laughs at a' that.

A price can mak a belted knight,
A marquise, duke, an' a' that;
But an honest man's aboon his might,
Gude faith, he maunna fa' that!
For a' that, an' a' that,
Their dignities an' a' that,
The pith o' sense, an' pride o' worth,
Are higher rank than a' that.

Then let us pray that come it may,
(As come it will for a' that,)
That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth,
Shall bear the gree, an' a' that.
For a' that, an' a' that,
That man to man, the world o'er,
Shall brithers be for a' that.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"A Man's a Man for A' That" by Robert Burns: A Criticism and Interpretation

The Scottish poet Robert Burns is widely considered to be one of the greatest literary figures in history. His works are celebrated for their wit, their passion, and their deep understanding of the human condition. One of his most famous poems, "A Man's a Man for A' That," is a rallying cry for the idea that all people are equal, regardless of their social standing or wealth. In this essay, we will take a close look at the poem and examine its themes, its structure, and its significance.

Background

Before we delve into the poem itself, it's worth taking a moment to look at the historical context in which it was written. Burns was born in rural Scotland in 1759, and spent his early years working as a farmer. Despite his humble beginnings, he was an avid reader and had a deep love of literature. He began writing poetry as a young man, and quickly gained a reputation as a gifted wordsmith.

"A Man's a Man for A' That" was written in 1795, at a time when Scotland was undergoing significant social and economic changes. The Industrial Revolution was in full swing, and many people were leaving the countryside to work in factories and mills in the cities. This led to a growing divide between the haves and the have-nots, with the wealthy landowners becoming increasingly powerful and the working class struggling to make ends meet.

It was in this context that Burns wrote "A Man's a Man for A' That," which celebrates the idea that all people are equal, regardless of their social class or wealth. The poem was published in 1795 in a collection called "Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect," and quickly became one of Burns's most famous works.

Analysis

The poem is written in Burns's trademark Scottish dialect, which can be difficult to understand for those who are not accustomed to it. However, with a little effort, the meaning of the poem becomes clear. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the poem:

Is there for honest Poverty
That hings his head, an' a' that;
The coward slave-we pass him by,
We dare be poor for a' that!
For a' that, an' a' that,
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The Man's the gowd for a' that.

The first line introduces the theme of poverty, which will be a recurring motif throughout the poem. Burns is asking whether there is any dignity in being poor, and the answer he gives is a resounding yes. He contrasts the cowardice of the wealthy with the bravery of the poor, who are willing to work hard and struggle for their livelihoods.

The second verse further develops this theme:

What though on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hoddin grey, an' a' that;
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine;
A Man's a Man for a' that:
For a' that, and a' that,
Their tinsel show, an' a' that;
The honest man, tho' e'er sae poor,
Is king o' men for a' that.

Here, Burns is pointing out that material possessions do not make a person better or more worthy of respect. He uses the image of "hamely fare," or simple food, to contrast with the luxurious silks and wines of the wealthy. He asserts that an honest man, no matter how poor he may be, is more deserving of respect than a vain and pompous aristocrat.

The third verse takes a more political turn:

Ye see yon birkie, ca'd a lord,
Wha struts, an' stares, an' a' that;
Though hundreds worship at his word,
He's but a coof for a' that:
For a' that, an' a' that,
His ribband, star, an' a' that:
The man o' independent mind
He looks an' laughs at a' that.

Here, Burns is mocking the idea of inherited wealth and social status. He uses the image of a "birkie," or fop, to describe a lord who is vain and pompous. He points out that despite the fact that many people worship him, he is no better than a "coof," or fool. Burns suggests that true respect and admiration comes from being an independent thinker who is not swayed by the trappings of wealth and power.

The final verse is perhaps the most famous:

A prince can mak a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, an' a' that;
But an honest man's aboon his might,
Guid faith he mauna fa' that!
For a' that, an' a' that,
Their dignities, an' a' that;
The pith o' sense, an' pride o' worth,
Are higher rank than a' that.

Here, Burns makes his point crystal clear. He acknowledges that the wealthy and powerful can bestow titles and honors upon those they deem worthy, but he asserts that true worth and dignity come from within. He suggests that the qualities of "sense" and "pride of worth" are more important than any title or honor that can be bestowed by a prince or king.

Interpretation

So what do we make of "A Man's a Man for A' That"? At its core, the poem is a celebration of the human spirit. Burns is saying that no matter who we are or where we come from, we all deserve respect and dignity. He is lambasting the idea that social class or wealth should be the sole determinants of a person's worth, and is championing the idea of equality for all.

However, the poem is also a commentary on the political and economic landscape of Burns's time. He was writing at a time of great social upheaval, and was acutely aware of the injustices that were being perpetrated against the working class. "A Man's a Man for A' That" can be seen as a call to arms for those who were struggling to make ends meet, a reminder that they were just as deserving of respect and dignity as the wealthy and powerful.

Overall, "A Man's a Man for A' That" is a powerful and moving poem that still resonates today. It is a testament to the enduring power of Burns's writing, and a reminder that the fight for equality is one that we must continue to wage.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

A Man's a Man for A' That: A Timeless Classic by Robert Burns

Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, is known for his lyrical poetry that captures the essence of the Scottish culture and society. One of his most famous works, "A Man's a Man for A' That," is a timeless classic that celebrates the inherent worth and dignity of every human being, regardless of their social status or wealth.

The Poem

The poem is written in Scots dialect, which adds to its authenticity and charm. It consists of four stanzas, each with eight lines, and follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem begins with the lines:

Is there for honest poverty
That hings his head, an' a' that?
The coward slave, we pass him by,
We dare be poor for a' that!

These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a powerful critique of the social hierarchy that values wealth and status over character and integrity. Burns argues that true worth lies in one's character and actions, not in their possessions or social standing.

The second stanza continues this theme, with Burns declaring that "The rank is but the guinea's stamp," meaning that social status is merely a superficial label that does not reflect a person's true worth. He goes on to say that "The man's the gowd for a' that," meaning that a person's true value is in their character and actions, not in their wealth or status.

The third stanza is a call to action, urging people to recognize the inherent worth of every human being, regardless of their social status. Burns writes:

Then let us pray that come it may,
(As come it will for a' that,)
That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth,
Shall bear the gree, an' a' that.

He envisions a world where people are judged by their character and actions, not by their wealth or status. He believes that this is not only possible but inevitable, as people come to recognize the true value of human beings.

The final stanza is a celebration of the human spirit, which Burns believes is capable of overcoming any obstacle. He writes:

It's no in titles nor in rank;
It's no in wealth like Lon'on Bank;
But it's in the love o' man and woman;
That's the glory o' the human.

He believes that the true glory of humanity lies in our capacity for love and compassion, which transcends social barriers and unites us as human beings.

Analysis

"A Man's a Man for A' That" is a powerful critique of the social hierarchy that values wealth and status over character and integrity. Burns argues that true worth lies in one's character and actions, not in their possessions or social standing. He believes that every human being has inherent worth and dignity, regardless of their social status or wealth.

Burns uses the Scots dialect to add authenticity and charm to the poem. The use of dialect also reflects the Scottish culture and society, which valued independence and self-reliance. Burns was himself a product of this culture, and his poetry reflects his deep understanding of the Scottish people and their values.

The poem follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, which adds to its accessibility and memorability. The repetition of the phrase "for a' that" throughout the poem reinforces the central theme of the poem, which is the inherent worth of every human being.

The poem is also a call to action, urging people to recognize the inherent worth of every human being, regardless of their social status. Burns believes that this is not only possible but inevitable, as people come to recognize the true value of human beings. He envisions a world where people are judged by their character and actions, not by their wealth or status.

The final stanza is a celebration of the human spirit, which Burns believes is capable of overcoming any obstacle. He believes that the true glory of humanity lies in our capacity for love and compassion, which transcends social barriers and unites us as human beings.

Conclusion

"A Man's a Man for A' That" is a timeless classic that celebrates the inherent worth and dignity of every human being, regardless of their social status or wealth. Burns uses the Scots dialect to add authenticity and charm to the poem, and the simple ABAB rhyme scheme makes it accessible and memorable.

The poem is a powerful critique of the social hierarchy that values wealth and status over character and integrity. Burns believes that true worth lies in one's character and actions, not in their possessions or social standing. He envisions a world where people are judged by their character and actions, not by their wealth or status.

Overall, "A Man's a Man for A' That" is a timeless classic that speaks to the universal human desire for dignity and respect. It is a powerful reminder that every human being has inherent worth and dignity, regardless of their social status or wealth.

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