'The Red Son' by Carl Sandburg

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I love your faces I saw the many years
I drank your milk and filled my mouth
With your home talk, slept in your house
And was one of you.But a fire burns in my heart.
Under the ribs where pulses thud
And flitting between bones of skull
Is the push, the endless mysterious command,Saying:
"I leave you behind--
You for the little hills and the years all alike,
You with your patient cows and old houses
Protected from the rain,
I am going away and I never come back to you;
Crags and high rough places call me,
Great places of death
Where men go empty handed
And pass over smiling
To the star-drift on the horizon rim.
My last whisper shall be alone, unknown;
I shall go to the city and fight against it,
And make it give me passwords
Of luck and love, women worth dying for,
And money.I go where you wist not ofNor I nor any man nor woman.I only know I go to stormsGrappling against things wet and naked."
There is no pity of it and no blame.
None of us is in the wrong.
After all it is only this:You for the little hills and I go away.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Exciting Literary Criticism of Carl Sandburg's "The Red Son"

Have you ever read a poem that captures the essence of revolution, rebellion, and the struggle of the working class? Carl Sandburg's "The Red Son" is one such poem that takes on the theme of communism and the fight against oppression. As I delve deeper into this classic piece, I cannot help but feel the passion and the energy that flows out of every verse. Let me take you on a journey of interpretation and literary criticism of this timeless poem.

Overview of the Poem

"The Red Son" is a long poem that is divided into several sections. It tells the story of the birth, growth, and eventual triumph of communism. The poem is written in free verse and has a conversational tone that makes it easy to read and understand. Carl Sandburg's use of simple language and imagery makes the poem accessible to a wide range of readers.

Structure and Form

The structure of "The Red Son" is a series of loosely connected vignettes that tell the story of the communist movement. The poem is divided into six sections that represent different stages in the development of communism. Each section is a separate poem in itself, but they all work together to create a cohesive narrative.

The form of the poem is free verse. There are no set rhymes or rhythms, but there is a consistent use of repetition and parallelism. For example, the phrase "the red son" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a unifying thread that ties the different sections together.

Themes and Symbolism

At its heart, "The Red Son" is a poem about revolution and the struggle for social justice. The poem celebrates the communist movement and its ideals of equality, solidarity, and liberation. Sandburg uses a variety of symbols and images to convey these themes.

One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the color red. Red is used to represent communism, but it also has broader connotations of passion, blood, and sacrifice. Sandburg writes:

Red! Red! Red! Red! Red! They were stepping stones to him, red stones in the path, Flags for him to follow with glad cries.

The repetition of "red" creates a sense of urgency and excitement, as if the movement is sweeping everything in its path. The image of the red stones also suggests that the communist movement is built on the sacrifices of those who came before.

Another important symbol in the poem is the figure of the "red son." The red son represents the communist movement as a whole, but he is also a specific person who embodies its ideals. Sandburg writes:

The red son, the great new day, He is stronger than the horse and the ox, He is stronger than the elephant and the crocodile, He is stronger than the shark and the whale.

The red son is depicted as a powerful, almost mythical figure who can overcome any obstacle. His strength comes from his connection to the working class, who are the true source of power in society.

Imagery and Language

Sandburg's poetry is known for its plainspoken language and vivid imagery, and "The Red Son" is no exception. The poem is full of concrete, sensory details that help to bring the communist movement to life.

One of the most striking images in the poem is the description of the "red banners" that the communist workers carry:

Red banners, woven by the fingers of women, Red banners, lifted by the heads of men, Red banners, drawn in the streets by the wheels of machines.

The use of the word "woven" suggests that the red banners are not just symbols of the communist movement, but also products of the labor of the working class. The image of the banners being "lifted" by the heads of men creates a sense of pride and determination, as if the workers are literally lifting themselves up through their struggle.

Sandburg also uses a lot of repetition and parallelism in the poem, which helps to reinforce the themes and create a sense of momentum. For example, in the second section of the poem, he writes:

They carried their heads high, They were tall in the sun And the wind blew a tune in their hair.

The use of the word "they" creates a sense of solidarity and collective action, while the repetition of "they were" emphasizes the workers' strength and resilience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Red Son" is a powerful and inspiring tribute to the communist movement. Through its use of vivid imagery, plainspoken language, and symbols, the poem captures the spirit of revolution and the struggle for social justice. Sandburg's poetic voice rings out like a clarion call, urging us to join the fight against oppression and injustice. As I read this poem, I cannot help but feel a sense of excitement and hope for a better world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Red Son: A Poetic Masterpiece by Carl Sandburg

Carl Sandburg, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his unique style of writing that captures the essence of American life and culture. His poem, The Red Son, is a masterpiece that reflects his deep understanding of the human condition and the struggles of the working class. In this article, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism of this iconic poem.

The Red Son is a long poem that tells the story of a young man who is born into poverty and struggles to make a living in a world that is dominated by the wealthy and powerful. The poem is divided into several sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the protagonist's life. The first section introduces the young man and his family, who are struggling to survive in a world that is hostile to their existence. The second section explores the protagonist's journey as he leaves his home and sets out to make a life for himself. The third section is a reflection on the struggles of the working class and the injustices they face in a capitalist society. The final section is a call to action, urging the working class to rise up and fight for their rights.

One of the most striking features of The Red Son is its use of imagery. Sandburg uses vivid and powerful images to convey the struggles of the working class and the harsh realities of life in a capitalist society. For example, in the first section of the poem, he describes the protagonist's home as a "shack of a house" that is "lean-to, clapboard, and sagging." This image immediately conveys the poverty and desperation of the protagonist's family. Similarly, in the second section, Sandburg describes the protagonist's journey as a "long road" that is "dusty and hard." This image captures the difficulty and hardship of the protagonist's journey.

Another powerful image in the poem is the color red. Sandburg uses the color red to symbolize the struggles of the working class and their fight for justice. In the third section of the poem, he describes the "red banners" of the workers' movement, which symbolize their solidarity and determination. He also describes the "red sun" rising over the city, which symbolizes the hope and optimism of the working class. The color red is a powerful symbol of the working class struggle, and Sandburg uses it to great effect in The Red Son.

In addition to its powerful imagery, The Red Son is also rich in symbolism. One of the most important symbols in the poem is the sun. Sandburg uses the sun to symbolize the power and influence of the ruling class. In the first section of the poem, he describes the sun as "a red ball of fire" that "burns and blisters the skin." This image conveys the oppressive nature of the ruling class and their control over the lives of the working class. In contrast, the red sun that rises over the city in the third section of the poem symbolizes the hope and optimism of the working class. This symbol represents the possibility of change and the potential for a better future.

Another important symbol in the poem is the hammer. Sandburg uses the hammer to symbolize the power of the working class and their ability to shape their own destiny. In the third section of the poem, he describes the workers as "men with hammers" who are "building a new world." This image conveys the strength and determination of the working class, and their willingness to fight for their rights.

The Red Son is a powerful and moving poem that captures the struggles of the working class and their fight for justice. Sandburg's use of imagery and symbolism is masterful, and his message is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written. The poem is a call to action, urging the working class to rise up and fight for their rights. It is a reminder that the struggle for justice is ongoing, and that we must continue to fight for a better world.

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