'On The Breakwater' by Carl Sandburg

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On the breakwater in the summer dark, a man and agirl are sitting,
She across his knee and they are looking face into face
Talking to each other without words, singing rythms insilence to each other.A funnel of white ranges the blue dusk from an out-going boat,
Playing its searchlight, puzzled, abrupt, over a streak ofgreen,
And two on the breakwater keep their silence, she on hisknee.

Editor 1 Interpretation

On The Breakwater: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

When it comes to modern poetry, Carl Sandburg is one of the most celebrated and iconic poets of our time. His poetry is known for its simplicity and directness, its ability to capture the essence of everyday life, and its powerful social commentary. Among his many works, "On The Breakwater" stands out as a true masterpiece of modern American poetry, offering readers a captivating and vivid portrayal of life on the shores of Lake Michigan.

An Introduction to "On The Breakwater"

"On The Breakwater" is a short yet powerful poem that captures the spirit of the Great Lakes region in the early 20th century. The poem is written in free verse and is composed of just nine lines, each of which is packed with vivid imagery and emotion. The poem was originally published in Sandburg's collection "Chicago Poems" in 1916, and it has since become one of his most famous and widely studied works.

In "On The Breakwater," Sandburg invites readers to imagine themselves standing on a breakwater overlooking the vast expanse of Lake Michigan. The poem opens with the speaker describing the sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks, creating a powerful and almost overwhelming sense of movement and energy. As the poem progresses, Sandburg introduces other sensory details, from the smell of the lake to the sight of gulls flying overhead. Through these details, Sandburg paints a vivid portrait of life on the shores of Lake Michigan, conjuring up a world that is both beautiful and dangerous, serene and chaotic.

The Power of Sensory Detail in "On The Breakwater"

One of the most striking things about "On The Breakwater" is the way that Sandburg uses sensory detail to create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. Throughout the poem, Sandburg draws on a range of senses, from the sound of the waves to the smell of the lake, to create a full sensory experience that transports the reader to the shores of Lake Michigan.

For example, in the first line of the poem, Sandburg writes, "They say it is a fisherman's paradise." This simple statement immediately conjures up a range of sensory details, from the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks to the sight of fishermen casting their lines out into the water. By using the word "paradise," Sandburg also creates a sense of wonder and awe, suggesting that there is something truly special about this place.

As the poem progresses, Sandburg continues to use sensory detail to build a rich and immersive world. He describes the "roar and the splash of the waves against the hollow concrete blocks" and the smell of the lake, which he characterizes as a "reek of fish and salt seaweed." These details contribute to the overall sense of movement and energy in the poem, as well as the dangerous and unpredictable nature of the lake.

The Role of Nature in "On The Breakwater"

Another key element of "On The Breakwater" is the way that Sandburg uses nature to explore larger themes about the human experience. Throughout the poem, Sandburg presents the lake as an almost mystical force, something that is both beautiful and terrifying, awe-inspiring and dangerous.

For example, in the second line of the poem, Sandburg writes, "The sea waves are green and hungry." This simple statement immediately creates a sense of tension and danger, suggesting that the lake is not to be trifled with. As the poem progresses, Sandburg continues to explore the power and unpredictability of nature, describing the waves as "slapping the worn rocks" and the gulls as "screaming at the blue."

At the same time, however, Sandburg also imbues nature with a sense of beauty and wonder. He describes the "smell of the shore" and the sight of the "gulls sailing over" as moments of peace and tranquility in an otherwise chaotic world. Through these descriptions, Sandburg suggests that there is something fundamentally spiritual about nature, something that transcends the human experience and connects us to something larger and more mysterious.

The Social Commentary of "On The Breakwater"

Finally, it is important to consider the social commentary that underpins "On The Breakwater." Throughout his work, Sandburg was known for his commitment to social justice and his willingness to speak out against inequality and injustice. In "On The Breakwater," Sandburg uses the lake as a metaphor for larger social and political issues, suggesting that the same forces that make the lake dangerous and unpredictable are also at play in human society.

For example, in the final lines of the poem, Sandburg writes:

"And the people Idle and all, Sitting and staring out over the water, Looking at nothing, Expecting nothing, Radiating nothing."

These lines are a powerful indictment of the complacency and apathy that Sandburg saw in American society at the time. He suggests that people are content to sit and watch the world go by, without ever taking action or trying to create change. In this way, Sandburg uses the lake as a metaphor for larger social and political issues, suggesting that the same forces that make the lake dangerous are also at play in human society.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "On The Breakwater" is a true masterpiece of modern American poetry, offering readers a vivid and immersive portrait of life on the shores of Lake Michigan. Through his use of sensory detail, Sandburg creates a world that is both beautiful and dangerous, serene and chaotic. He explores the power and unpredictability of nature, as well as larger social and political issues that continue to resonate today. For all these reasons, "On The Breakwater" remains a powerful and enduring work of modern poetry, and one that is sure to captivate readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry On The Breakwater: An Analysis of Carl Sandburg's Classic

Carl Sandburg's Poetry On The Breakwater is a classic poem that captures the essence of the sea and its power. The poem is a beautiful and vivid description of the sea, its waves, and the breakwater that stands against it. It is a poem that evokes strong emotions and paints a picture of the sea that is both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

The poem begins with the line, "Beautiful, indifferent, the waves roll on." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it describes the sea as both beautiful and indifferent. The sea is beautiful in its vastness and power, but it is also indifferent to the lives of those who sail upon it. The waves roll on, regardless of whether there are ships or people in their path.

Sandburg then goes on to describe the breakwater, which is a man-made structure that stands against the sea. The breakwater is described as "a wall of stone" that "stands against the might of the sea." This line highlights the power of the sea and the strength of the breakwater. The breakwater is a symbol of human ingenuity and resilience, as it stands against the forces of nature.

Sandburg then describes the waves crashing against the breakwater, creating a "thunderous roar." This line captures the intensity of the sea and the power of the waves. The sea is not a gentle force, but a powerful one that can destroy anything in its path. The waves crashing against the breakwater are a reminder of the sea's power and the need for human intervention to protect against it.

The poem then takes a turn, as Sandburg describes the beauty of the sea and the breakwater. He describes the sea as a "glittering expanse" and the breakwater as a "jewel in the sun." These lines highlight the beauty of the sea and the breakwater, despite their power and strength. The sea is not just a force to be reckoned with, but also a thing of beauty that can be admired.

Sandburg then ends the poem with the line, "And the sea sings, and the breakwater answers." This line is a beautiful metaphor for the relationship between the sea and the breakwater. The sea sings its song of power and beauty, and the breakwater answers with its strength and resilience. The two are inextricably linked, and their relationship is one of mutual respect and admiration.

Overall, Poetry On The Breakwater is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of the sea and its power. Sandburg's use of vivid imagery and metaphors creates a picture of the sea that is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The poem is a reminder of the need for human intervention to protect against the forces of nature, but also a celebration of the beauty and power of the sea. It is a classic poem that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.

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