'One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This' by Gwendolyn Brooks
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One wants a teller in a time like thisOne's not a man, one's not a woman grown
To bear enormous business all alone.One cannot walk this winding street with pride
Straight-shouldered, tranquil-eyed,
Knowing one knows for sure the way back home.
One wonders if one has a home.One is not certain if or why or how.
One wants a Teller now:
Editor 1 Interpretation
One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This: A Literary Criticism
Introduction
Gwendolyn Brooks' poem "One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This" is a masterful and thought-provoking work that deals with the themes of war, death, and the responsibility of the artist in times of crisis. This poem, written during the Second World War, explores the ways in which poetry can act as a means of communication and understanding in times of great upheaval and uncertainty. Through her use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and poignant language, Brooks creates a work of art that is both hauntingly beautiful and deeply impactful.
Analysis
The poem begins with the lines "One wants a teller in a time like this / One's not a man, one's not a woman grown". These lines immediately establish the speaker's desire for a storyteller, someone who can make sense of the chaos and confusion of war. The use of the phrase "one's not a man, one's not a woman grown" highlights the fact that in times of war, everyone is vulnerable, regardless of their gender or social status. The speaker is calling out for someone who can speak to the human experience in a time of crisis, someone who can offer comfort and guidance to those who are struggling.
The second stanza of the poem begins with the lines "A poem like a nightstick / To break open the frivolous, the foolish / Or tell us what will happen for sure". Here, Brooks uses powerful metaphors to describe the role of poetry in times of crisis. The line "a poem like a nightstick" suggests that poetry can be a tool for breaking through the superficialities and distractions of everyday life, allowing us to confront the harsh realities of war. The word "frivolous" suggests a sense of superficiality and triviality, while the word "foolish" implies a lack of wisdom or insight. By contrasting these qualities with the seriousness and weight of war, Brooks emphasizes the importance of poetry in helping us to understand and come to terms with the world around us.
The third stanza of the poem continues this theme, beginning with the lines "But ever since this mortal house / Held fire and echoes and ashes and men / And the occasional women / Since then, poetry / Exerts no moral duty". Here, Brooks is acknowledging the fact that poetry is not a panacea for the problems of the world. She suggests that poetry cannot solve the problems of war, nor can it offer a clear blueprint for how to navigate the complexities of life. Instead, she argues that poetry has a more subtle and nuanced role to play in times of crisis. It can offer comfort, insight, and understanding, but it cannot solve everything.
The final stanza of the poem concludes with the lines "Poetry is the report of a failure / To locate in time / Love or truth or a beloved community / Poetry is loyalty to that which one loves / A refusal to compromise". Here, Brooks is suggesting that poetry is a reflection of the human experience, and that it is rooted in a fundamental sense of loyalty and commitment to the things that we love. She argues that the role of the poet is not to offer easy answers or clear solutions, but to bear witness to the struggle and complexity of life. This involves a refusal to compromise on the things that matter, even in the face of great adversity.
Interpretation
At its core, "One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This" is a powerful statement about the role of art and the responsibility of the artist in times of crisis. Brooks argues that poetry cannot solve everything, but it can offer comfort, insight, and understanding. She suggests that the role of the poet is to bear witness to the struggles and complexities of life, and to remain loyal to the things that matter, even in the face of great adversity.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors. Brooks uses language to create a sense of urgency and immediacy, conveying the emotion and intensity of the human experience in times of crisis. The use of the phrase "fire and echoes and ashes and men / And the occasional women" is particularly evocative, conjuring up images of destruction and chaos.
Another important aspect of this poem is its exploration of the relationship between poetry and truth. Brooks suggests that poetry is not a source of absolute truth, but rather a reflection of the human experience. She argues that poetry is rooted in a fundamental sense of loyalty and commitment to the things that we love, and that it is this sense of loyalty that gives poetry its power and relevance.
Finally, "One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This" is a deeply humanistic work that speaks to the universal experiences of love, loss, and struggle. It is a testament to the power of art to transcend the limitations of language and to connect us with the deeper, more profound aspects of our shared humanity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This" is a masterful work of poetry that explores the themes of war, death, and the responsibility of the artist in times of crisis. Through her use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and poignant language, Brooks creates a work of art that is both hauntingly beautiful and deeply impactful. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to help us make sense of the world around us, to offer comfort and guidance in times of great uncertainty, and to connect us with the deeper, more profound aspects of our shared humanity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This: A Masterpiece by Gwendolyn Brooks
Poetry has always been a medium of expression for the human soul. It is a way to convey emotions, thoughts, and ideas in a way that is both beautiful and meaningful. Gwendolyn Brooks, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, understood this better than most. Her poem, "Poetry One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its importance in our lives.
The poem begins with the line, "In a time like this, one wants to be told a story." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It speaks to the human need for connection and understanding. In times of uncertainty and chaos, we turn to stories to make sense of the world around us. We want someone to tell us a story that will help us make sense of our lives and the world we live in.
Brooks goes on to say, "Of love and honor and hope and glory and maybe a touch of despair." This line speaks to the range of emotions that we experience as human beings. We want stories that will make us feel love, honor, and hope, but we also want stories that acknowledge the reality of despair. We want stories that reflect the complexity of our lives and the world we live in.
The next line of the poem is, "Of a soldier's tale, of a woman's tale, of a man's, of a confidante." This line speaks to the diversity of human experience. We want stories that reflect the experiences of soldiers, women, men, and confidantes. We want stories that speak to our individual experiences and help us understand the experiences of others.
The poem then goes on to say, "One wants to hear of what it is like up there, ahead, on the top, beyond, yes, maybe, the golden gate." This line speaks to our desire for something more. We want stories that speak to our aspirations and our dreams. We want stories that inspire us to reach for something beyond ourselves.
The final line of the poem is, "One wants a little dancing, a little music, a little joy." This line speaks to our need for joy and celebration. We want stories that make us feel alive and remind us of the beauty of life.
Overall, "Poetry One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its importance in our lives. It speaks to our need for connection, understanding, and inspiration. It reminds us of the diversity of human experience and the complexity of our lives. It speaks to our aspirations and our dreams. It reminds us of the beauty of life and the importance of joy and celebration. Gwendolyn Brooks was a master of her craft, and this poem is a testament to her talent and her understanding of the human soul.
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