'On The Move 'Man, You Gotta Go.'' by Thom Gunn

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The blue jay scuffling in the bushes followsSome hidden purpose, and the gush of birdsThat spurts across the field, the wheeling swallows,Have nested in the trees and undergrowth.Seeking their instinct, or their pose, or both,One moves with an uncertain violenceUnder the dust thrown by a baffled senseOr the dull thunder of approximate words.On motorcycles, up the road, they come:Small, black, as flies hanging in heat, the Boy,Until the distance throws them forth, their humBulges to thunder held by calf and thigh.In goggles, donned impersonality,In gleaming jackets trophied with the dust,They strap in doubt--by hiding it, robust--And almost hear a meaning in their noise.Exact conclusion of their hardinessHas no shape yet, but from known whereaboutsThey ride, directions where the tires press.They scare a flight of birds across the field:Much that is natural, to the will must yield.Men manufacture both machine and soul,And use what they imperfectly controlTo dare a future from the taken routes.It is part solution, after all.One is not necessarily discordOn Earth; or damned because, half animal,One lacks direct instinct, because one wakesAfloat on movement that divides and breaks.One joins the movement in a valueless world,Crossing it, till, both hurler and the hurled,One moves as well, always toward, toward.A minute holds them, who have come to go:The self-denied, astride the created will.They burst away; the towns they travel throughAre home for neither birds nor holiness,For birds and saints complete their purposes.At worse, one is in motion; and at best,Reaching no absolute, in which to rest,One is always nearer by not keeping still.

Editor 1 Interpretation

On The Move: A Literary Criticism

Introduction

Thom Gunn's "On the Move: Man, You Gotta Go" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Published in 1957, the poem has been widely studied and analyzed by literary scholars for its themes, structure, and language. In this literary criticism, we will delve into the nuances of this timeless piece of poetry and explore its meanings and interpretations.

Summary

The poem “On the Move: Man, You Gotta Go” consists of seven stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem presents a world of motorcyclists who ride through the streets with a sense of freedom and rebellion. The speaker of the poem is one of these motorcyclists and speaks to his fellow riders, urging them to continue their journey and embrace the thrill of the ride.

The poem opens with the line “A cool small evening shrunk to a dog bark and the clank of a bucket”. The imagery here is simple but effective; the evening has been reduced to the sound of a dog barking and the clank of a bucket. This opening sets the scene and prepares the reader for the sensory experience that is to follow.

The second stanza introduces the motorcyclists, who are described as “black buzzing flies”. The use of the word “flies” is significant as it conjures up images of freedom and movement. The motorcyclists are free to move wherever they please, just like flies.

The third stanza contains the famous line “Man, you gotta go.” This line is repeated throughout the poem and serves as a rallying cry for the motorcyclists. It emphasizes the sense of urgency and the need for movement that characterizes the poem.

The fourth stanza introduces the idea of risk and danger, with the line “Dangerous pavements, but I’m the speed freak.” This line shows that the speaker is aware of the risks involved in riding a motorcycle but is still drawn to the thrill of speed.

The fifth stanza contains the line “Tongue of Thai, with a stink of petrol.” The use of the word “Tongue” here is significant as it suggests the exoticism and excitement of the journey. The stink of petrol also adds to the sensory experience of the poem.

The sixth stanza contains the line “And the hills, the hills.” This line emphasizes the natural landscape that the motorcyclists are riding through. It also adds to the sense of freedom and adventure that characterizes the poem.

The final stanza contains the line “At least, that’s what I thought, venturing.” This line shows that the speaker is aware that his perceptions and interpretations of the world may be flawed. It also adds a sense of uncertainty to the poem, suggesting that the journey may not be as straightforward as it seems.

Language and Imagery

One of the most striking things about "On the Move: Man, You Gotta Go" is the use of language and imagery. The poem is filled with sensory images that help to create a vivid picture of the world of the motorcyclists. The use of sound is particularly effective, with lines such as “the clank of a bucket” and “the hum of the tires” adding to the sensory experience of the poem.

The use of metaphor is also significant in the poem. The motorcyclists are described as “black buzzing flies”, emphasizing their sense of freedom and movement. The use of the word “flies” also suggests that the motorcyclists are a part of the natural world, rather than being constrained by it.

The repetition of the line “Man, you gotta go” is also significant. It serves as a rallying cry for the motorcyclists and emphasizes the sense of urgency and movement that characterizes the poem.

Themes

The themes of "On the Move: Man, You Gotta Go" are freedom, rebellion, and risk. The motorcyclists represent a sense of freedom and rebellion against the constraints of society. They are free to move wherever they please, and the thrill of speed is a powerful draw for them. The poem also acknowledges the risks involved in riding a motorcycle, but suggests that the sense of adventure and freedom is worth the danger.

The theme of perception is also present in the poem. The final stanza suggests that the speaker's perceptions of the world may be flawed, adding a sense of uncertainty to the poem. This theme adds depth to the poem and suggests that the journey of the motorcyclists may not be as straightforward as it seems.

Interpretations

"On the Move: Man, You Gotta Go" has been interpreted in many different ways by literary scholars. Some have suggested that the poem is a celebration of freedom and rebellion, while others have seen it as a critique of the dangers of speed and risk-taking.

One interpretation of the poem is that it represents the countercultural movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The motorcyclists represent a sense of rebellion against the constraints of society and the idea of conforming to established norms. The repeated line “Man, you gotta go” can be seen as a rallying cry for the countercultural movement, urging people to break free from the constraints of society and embrace their individuality.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it represents a critique of the dangers of speed and risk-taking. The line “Dangerous pavements, but I’m the speed freak” suggests that the speaker is aware of the risks involved in riding a motorcycle but is still drawn to the thrill of speed. This interpretation suggests that the poem is a cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of recklessness and risk-taking.

Conclusion

Thom Gunn's "On the Move: Man, You Gotta Go" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. The poem's themes of freedom, rebellion, and risk-taking have made it an enduring favorite among readers and literary scholars. The use of language and imagery is particularly effective, creating a vivid picture of the world of the motorcyclists. The poem's interpretations are varied, with some seeing it as a celebration of individuality and rebellion and others seeing it as a cautionary tale. Whatever the interpretation, "On the Move: Man, You Gotta Go" is a powerful and evocative piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has the power to move us, to inspire us, and to make us feel things we never thought possible. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "Man, You Gotta Go" by Thom Gunn. This classic poem is a powerful exploration of the human experience, and it has resonated with readers for decades.

At its core, "Man, You Gotta Go" is a poem about change. It is about the inevitability of change, and the way that we must adapt and evolve in order to survive. The poem is written in the second person, which gives it a sense of urgency and immediacy. It feels like the speaker is talking directly to us, urging us to take action and embrace the changes that are coming.

The poem begins with the line "Man, you gotta go." This simple statement sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a call to action, a reminder that we cannot stay in one place forever. We must move forward, even if it is difficult or uncomfortable.

The next few lines of the poem describe the world around us. The speaker talks about the "dusty roads" and the "empty fields," painting a picture of a desolate landscape. This imagery is important because it sets the stage for the changes that are coming. The world is barren and lifeless, but it is about to be transformed.

The next stanza of the poem is where things really start to get interesting. The speaker talks about the "new roads" that are being built, and the "new cities" that are rising up. This is a clear indication that change is coming, and that we must be ready to embrace it.

The speaker then goes on to describe the people who are leading this change. They are "young men" and "women," full of energy and enthusiasm. They are the ones who are building the new roads and the new cities, and they are the ones who will shape the future.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker tells us that "you cannot stay," and that we must "go with them." This is a clear call to action, a reminder that we cannot resist change. We must embrace it, and we must move forward with the young people who are leading the way.

Overall, "Man, You Gotta Go" is a powerful and inspiring poem. It reminds us that change is inevitable, and that we must be ready to adapt and evolve in order to survive. The poem is written in a simple, direct style that makes it accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds. It is a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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