'The Walking Man Of Rodin' by Carl Sandburg

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Legs hold a torso away from the earth.
And a regular high poem of legs is here.
Powers of bone and cord raise a belly and lungs
Out of ooze and over the loam where eyes look and ears hear
And arms have a chance to hammer and shoot and run motors.You make usProud of our legs, old man.And you left off the head here,
The skull found always crumbling neighbor of the ankles.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Walking Man Of Rodin: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever stood before a work of art and felt completely entranced by its aura? Have you ever been so captivated by a sculpture that you feel as though you are in the presence of a living, breathing being? If you have, then you understand the power of art. Carl Sandburg's poem, "The Walking Man of Rodin," captures this essence in a way that is both beautiful and profound.

The poem takes its title from the famous sculpture by Auguste Rodin, which depicts a man walking with a purposeful stride. The man's pose conveys a sense of strength and determination, yet there is also a sense of vulnerability and humanity in his stance. Sandburg's poem explores these themes through its vivid imagery and its powerful use of language.

The Walking Man: A Symbol of Humanity

At its core, "The Walking Man of Rodin" is a poem about the human experience. Sandburg uses the figure of the walking man as a symbol for all of us who are striving to find our way in the world. He writes:

And how should a man walk?
If you ask me I will say with head and eyes and chest and feet
set free by a kind of cosmic Jenkins from the prison of star dust
and the various styles of jailers and the prisons of circumstances.

Here, Sandburg presents the idea that we are all prisoners of our circumstances, whether they be social, economic, or physical. Yet, in spite of these limitations, we are all capable of transcending them and finding our own path in life. Sandburg encourages us to walk with our heads held high, to look ahead with clear eyes, and to embrace the challenges that come our way.

The Power of Imagery

One of the most striking features of Sandburg's poem is its vivid imagery. From the opening lines, he draws us into the world of the walking man:

Blue dusk ran between the streets of the city
And the walking man stumbled blind
And forgot where he was and wandered
For hours in the starlight of a winter’s midnight.

With these lines, Sandburg creates a sense of disorientation and confusion that we can all relate to. We feel as though we are right there with the walking man, stumbling through the dark streets of the city. This imagery is made all the more powerful by the use of sensory details, such as the "starlight of a winter's midnight," which conveys a sense of cold and loneliness.

Sandburg's use of imagery is not limited to the opening stanza, however. Throughout the poem, he paints vivid pictures with his words, such as when he describes the walking man as "a bronze statue in a museum of wax figures." This comparison is both striking and unsettling, as it suggests that the walking man is somehow frozen in time and out of place in the world around him.

Language as Art

Just as Rodin used bronze to create his sculpture, Sandburg uses language as his medium in "The Walking Man of Rodin." His use of language is both spare and precise, with each word carefully chosen for maximum impact. Consider the following lines:

And the walking man was a new kind of an object,
A few feet from the bronze of Caesar or David
Or Lincoln or any other man dead or living.

These lines are a perfect example of Sandburg's skill as a wordsmith. The use of the phrase "a new kind of an object" is both unexpected and captivating, drawing the reader in and encouraging us to think more deeply about what it means to be human. The reference to famous historical figures such as Caesar, David, and Lincoln serves to underscore the poem's sense of timelessness and universality.

Conclusion

In "The Walking Man of Rodin," Carl Sandburg has crafted a powerful work of art that speaks to the human experience in all its complexity. Through vivid imagery and skillful use of language, he invites us to join the walking man on his journey and to reflect on our own lives and struggles. Whether we are stumbling blindly through the dark streets of the city or striding purposefully towards our goals, Sandburg reminds us that we are all walking men, and that our journeys are what make us truly human.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Walking Man of Rodin: A Masterpiece of Poetry

Carl Sandburg's "The Walking Man of Rodin" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of Auguste Rodin's famous sculpture, "The Walking Man." Sandburg's poem is a tribute to the power and beauty of the human form, and it explores the themes of movement, freedom, and the human condition.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the sculpture, which is "a bronze monument to the human race" that stands "on legs of bronze." Sandburg's use of the word "monument" suggests that the sculpture is more than just a work of art; it is a symbol of humanity itself. The fact that the sculpture is made of bronze, a durable and long-lasting material, reinforces this idea.

Sandburg then goes on to describe the sculpture's movement, which is "a stride that straddles land and time." This line is particularly powerful because it suggests that the sculpture is not just a static object, but a dynamic force that transcends time and space. The sculpture's movement is also a metaphor for the human condition, which is constantly in motion and always changing.

Sandburg's use of language is particularly effective in conveying the power and beauty of the sculpture. He describes the sculpture's "muscles of bronze" and "the sinews of bronze," which suggest strength and vitality. He also uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and movement, as in the line "the bronze biceps and bronze forearms."

The poem also explores the theme of freedom, which is suggested by the sculpture's open posture and the fact that it is not tethered to anything. Sandburg writes that the sculpture is "free as the winds are free," which suggests that it is not bound by any constraints or limitations. This idea of freedom is also a metaphor for the human condition, which is always striving for greater freedom and autonomy.

Sandburg's poem is also notable for its use of imagery, which is both vivid and evocative. He describes the sculpture's "face of bronze" and "eyes of bronze," which suggest a sense of stoicism and resilience. He also describes the sculpture's "feet of bronze," which suggest a sense of grounding and stability.

The poem's final stanza is particularly powerful, as Sandburg suggests that the sculpture is a symbol of hope and possibility. He writes that the sculpture is "a prophecy of what men can be," which suggests that it is not just a representation of humanity, but a vision of what humanity can become. This idea of possibility and potential is a powerful message that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

In conclusion, Carl Sandburg's "The Walking Man of Rodin" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the power and beauty of Auguste Rodin's famous sculpture. The poem explores themes of movement, freedom, and the human condition, and it uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey its message. Sandburg's poem is a tribute to the enduring power of the human form, and it is a reminder of the limitless potential of humanity.

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