'Troths' by Carl Sandburg


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Yellow dust on a bumble
bee's wing,
Grey lights in a woman's
asking eyes,
Red ruins in the changing
sunset embers:
I take you and pile high
the memories.
Death will break her claws
on some I keep.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Troths" by Carl Sandburg: An Interpretation of Love and Loyalty

Carl Sandburg is a renowned American poet, known for his poignant yet simple poems that capture the essence of the American experience. One of his most notable works is "Troths," a poem that explores the notions of love and loyalty in a relationship. The poem is a beautiful ode to the human capacity for faithfulness and devotion, and its message resonates with readers even after almost a century since its first publication. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the themes, style, and symbolism of "Troths" and delve into its meaning and significance.

Themes

"Troths" is a poem that deals with two main themes: love and loyalty. The poem describes a relationship between two people who have made a solemn promise to each other, a promise that goes beyond the conventional vows of marriage. It is a promise of love and fidelity, a vow to stand by each other through thick and thin, to weather the storms of life together, and to remain faithful to each other till death do them part. The poem celebrates this bond of trust and loyalty, and portrays it as a rare and precious thing that is worth cherishing and preserving. Sandburg's use of the word "troth," which means "a solemn pledge or promise to marry," emphasizes the gravity and solemnity of this promise, elevating it to the status of a sacred bond.

Style

Sandburg's style in "Troths" is simple and straightforward, yet it is also poetic and evocative. The poem is written in free verse, with no strict meter or rhyme scheme, allowing Sandburg to express his thoughts and emotions freely. He uses simple, everyday language that is accessible to everyone, yet he also employs vivid imagery and powerful metaphors that enrich the poem and give it depth and meaning. For example, the image of a ship that is "tossed on the waves and winds" is a metaphor for the trials and tribulations of life, and the vow of love and loyalty is portrayed as the anchor that keeps the ship steady and safe. Sandburg's use of repetition, such as the repeated use of the word "troth" and the phrase "I take you," adds emphasis and emphasis and reinforces the poem's central message.

Symbolism

Sandburg employs several symbols in "Troths" that add layers of meaning to the poem. One of the most prominent symbols is the ship, which represents the relationship between the two people in the poem. The ship is a metaphor for the journey of life, with its ups and downs, its storms and calms. The vow of love and loyalty is the anchor that keeps the ship steady and safe, preventing it from being tossed about by the waves and winds of life. Another symbol is the ring, which represents the physical manifestation of the promise of love and loyalty. The ring is a symbol of infinity, with no beginning or end, symbolizing the eternal nature of the promise.

Interpretation

"Troths" is a poem that celebrates the human capacity for love and loyalty, and portrays these qualities as rare and precious things that are worth preserving. The poem suggests that in a world that is often chaotic and uncertain, the promise of love and fidelity can be a source of stability and comfort. The vow of love and loyalty is portrayed as a sacred bond that is not to be taken lightly, and the poem suggests that those who make such a promise are indeed blessed. Sandburg's use of everyday language and vivid imagery makes the poem accessible to everyone, and his message resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

Conclusion

"Troths" is a timeless poem that celebrates the human capacity for love and loyalty. The poem's central message, that the promise of love and fidelity is a rare and precious thing that is worth preserving, is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written almost a century ago. Sandburg's style is simple yet poetic, and his use of symbolism and repetition adds depth and meaning to the poem. "Troths" is a beautiful ode to the human spirit and its capacity for faithfulness and devotion, and its message will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Troths: A Poem of Love and Loyalty

Carl Sandburg’s poem “Troths” is a beautiful and powerful piece of literature that explores the themes of love, loyalty, and commitment. Written in free verse, the poem is a celebration of the enduring bonds that exist between two people who have made a promise to each other. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning and significance of “Troths” and examine the techniques that Sandburg uses to convey his message.

The Poem

Before we dive into the analysis, let’s take a moment to read the poem in its entirety:

I WAS born lucky and I have lived lucky. What I had was never enough but it was good while it lasted. You and I have been together since the first morning when I saw you coming down the street and you saw me coming up. Our tracks have been parallel and close together, but we haven’t touched. We have troths that nobody knows about. We have made them with each other and have kept them ourselves. Troths are sacred. Troths are more binding than any other kind of promise. Troths are what we live by and build by. If we break our troths we break ourselves and each other. So we must keep them. We have never spoken of them. We have never written them down. We have never sworn to them. But they are there. They are there like the roots of a tree that go deep and hold the tree up in the wind and the rain. They are there like the bones of our bodies, like the blood that beats in our hearts. They are there like the air we breathe. They are there like the sun and the moon and the stars. They are there like the earth we stand on. They are there like the sky above us. They are there like the universe. They are there like God.

Analysis

Structure

The poem is structured in a way that reflects the idea of parallel tracks that run close together without touching. The first and last stanzas both begin with the phrase “I was born lucky” and end with the phrase “They are there like God.” This creates a sense of symmetry and balance that mirrors the idea of two people who are connected but separate. The middle stanzas are longer and more detailed, describing the troths that the speaker and their partner have made with each other. The repetition of the word “troths” throughout the poem reinforces the importance of these promises and the commitment that they represent.

Imagery

Sandburg uses a variety of vivid and evocative images to convey the idea of the troths. The comparison to the roots of a tree, the bones of our bodies, and the air we breathe all suggest something fundamental and essential. The use of celestial imagery – the sun, moon, stars, and universe – reinforces the idea of something vast and eternal. The repeated use of the word “there” creates a sense of solidity and permanence, as if the troths are a tangible and unchanging part of the world.

Theme

At its core, “Troths” is a poem about love and loyalty. The speaker and their partner have made promises to each other that are more binding than any other kind of promise. These troths are sacred and essential to their relationship. The poem suggests that these promises are not something that can be easily put into words or written down – they are a deeply personal and private part of the relationship. The idea of troths as something that “nobody knows about” reinforces the idea of a bond that is unique and special to the two people involved.

Tone

The tone of the poem is one of reverence and awe. The speaker is clearly deeply committed to their partner and the troths that they have made. The repeated use of the word “sacred” suggests a sense of reverence and respect for the promises that they have made. The final line of the poem – “They are there like God” – reinforces the idea of something that is holy and divine.

Conclusion

“Troths” is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the themes of love, loyalty, and commitment. Sandburg’s use of vivid imagery and repetition creates a sense of solidity and permanence that reinforces the importance of the troths. The poem suggests that these promises are not something that can be easily put into words or written down – they are a deeply personal and private part of the relationship. The tone of the poem is one of reverence and awe, reflecting the deep commitment and love that the speaker feels for their partner. Overall, “Troths” is a celebration of the enduring bonds that exist between two people who have made a promise to each other.

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