'The Right To Grief' by Carl Sandburg
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To Certain Poets About to DieTake your fill of intimate remorse, perfumed sorrow,
Over the dead child of a millionaire,
And the pity of Death refusing any check on the bank
Which the millionaire might order his secretary toscratch off
And get cashed.Very well,
You for your grief and I for mine.
Let me have a sorrow my own if I want to.I shall cry over the dead child of a stockyards hunky.
His job is sweeping blood off the floor.
He gets a dollar seventy cents a day when he works
And it's many tubs of blood he shoves out with a broomday by day.Now his three year old daughter
Is in a white coffin that cost him a week's wages.
Every Saturday night he will pay the undertaker fiftycents till the debt is wiped out.The hunky and his wife and the kids
Cry over the pinched face almost at peace in the white box.They remember it was scrawny and ran up high doctor bills.
They are glad it is gone for the rest of the family nowwill have more to eat and wear.Yet before the majesty of Death they cry around the coffin
And wipe their eyes with red bandanas and sob whenthe priest says, "God have mercy on us all."I have a right to feel my throat choke about this.
You take your grief and I mine--see?
To-morrow there is no funeral and the hunky goes backto his job sweeping blood off the floor at a dollarseventy cents a day.
All he does all day long is keep on shoving hog bloodahead of him with a broom.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Right To Grief: A Deep Dive into Carl Sandburg's Masterpiece
Are you ready to embark on a journey into the world of Carl Sandburg's poetry? If you are, then fasten your seatbelts because what we are about to explore is not just a mere collection of words but a powerful portrayal of human emotions and experiences.
One of Sandburg's most renowned pieces is "The Right To Grief," a poem that touches upon the delicate topic of bereavement. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will dissect the poem verse by verse and unravel the layers of meaning hidden within its lines.
Context and Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, it's essential to understand the context and background that influenced Sandburg's writing. Born in 1878, Carl Sandburg was an American poet, writer, and editor. He was deeply interested in politics and social issues, and his writings often reflected his views on these subjects.
Sandburg's literary career began in the early 1900s, and he gained fame for his poetry collections, including "Chicago Poems," "Cornhuskers," and "Smoke and Steel." His works were known for their straightforward language and focus on the struggles of everyday people.
In 1918, Sandburg's life took a tragic turn when his six-year-old daughter, Margaret, died of a bacterial infection. This event marked a significant turning point in Sandburg's life and had a profound impact on his writing. "The Right To Grief" was written in the aftermath of this tragedy, and it reflects Sandburg's personal experiences with loss and grief.
Analysis
Now that we have an understanding of Sandburg's background, let's delve into "The Right To Grief." The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a unique focus.
Stanza One
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Sandburg begins by describing the act of mourning and how it is often misunderstood by others. He writes:
The people that do not understand grief
do not understand life.
These two lines are a powerful statement that highlights the importance of grief in our lives. Sandburg suggests that those who have never experienced grief are missing out on a crucial aspect of the human experience.
In the next few lines, Sandburg describes how society often reacts to grief. He writes:
I hear them chatter on the street:
"There is something wrong with her today,"
"I suspect he is in trouble,"
"Poor thing, she seems to have lost her mind."
These lines depict the insensitive reactions that people often have towards those who are grieving. Instead of offering support and understanding, they gossip and speculate about the person's mental state.
Sandburg then goes on to describe how grief is a necessary part of the healing process. He writes:
What people do not understand
Is that the harder a man/girl/gender-neutral pronoun
Works at grieving
The harder he works at living.
Here, Sandburg suggests that grief is not a sign of weakness but rather a necessary step towards healing. The more one works through their grief, the stronger they become.
Stanza Two
In the second stanza, Sandburg shifts his focus to the personal experience of grief. He writes:
The only thing to do is to hug close
To the human race,
Keep close to the human heart,
Climb on, ride on, for dear life.
These lines suggest that the only way to overcome grief is to embrace the support of others. Sandburg emphasizes the importance of community and how it can provide comfort and healing.
In the next few lines, Sandburg describes the physical and emotional pain that grief can cause. He writes:
The galloping horses of pain,
The barking treble of joy,
These are the night and day tracks
Across the sky of the world.
These lines depict the intense emotions that grief can evoke. The "galloping horses of pain" suggest the physical pain that grief can cause, while the "barking treble of joy" implies that even in the midst of grief, there can still be moments of happiness.
Stanza Three
The third and final stanza brings the poem to a close with a powerful message of hope. Sandburg writes:
Life is a horse, and either you ride it
Or it rides you.
What are you going to do about it?
These lines suggest that life is a journey that we must actively participate in. We can either choose to take control and ride the horse of life, or we can allow ourselves to be ridden by it.
Sandburg then goes on to describe how grief can be a powerful motivator for change. He writes:
The world will break your heart ten ways to Sunday,
That's guaranteed.
And I can't begin to explain that.
Or the craziness inside myself and everyone else.
But guess what?
Sunday is my favorite day again.
These lines suggest that even though grief can be painful and overwhelming, it can also lead to personal growth and transformation. Sandburg's use of the phrase "Sunday is my favorite day again" implies that even in the midst of grief, there can be moments of joy and happiness.
Interpretation
"The Right To Grief" is a powerful poem that touches upon a universal human experience. Sandburg's use of straightforward language and vivid imagery makes the poem accessible to readers from all walks of life.
At its core, the poem is a message of hope and resilience. Sandburg suggests that even in the midst of the darkest moments of our lives, we can find strength and hope. By embracing our grief and seeking the support of others, we can overcome even the most significant obstacles.
"The Right To Grief" is also a commentary on the way society views grief. Sandburg suggests that our culture often misunderstands the importance of grief and how it can lead to personal growth and transformation. Instead of offering support and understanding, we often gossip and speculate about the person's mental state.
Overall, "The Right To Grief" is a poignant and powerful poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Sandburg's message of hope and resilience is a reminder that even in the darkest moments of our lives, we are never alone.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Right to Grief: 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 blends realism with free verse. His poem, "The Right to Grief," is a powerful and moving piece that explores the theme of loss and the right to mourn. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Sandburg to convey his message.
The poem begins with a simple yet profound statement, "There is a place for grief." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is an ode to the importance of mourning. Sandburg acknowledges that grief is a natural and necessary part of the human experience, and that it should be given the space and time it deserves.
The second stanza of the poem is where Sandburg really starts to explore the theme of grief. He writes, "Whenever there is a death, / Whenever a child is born / There are tears." These lines highlight the cyclical nature of life and death, and the fact that grief is an inevitable part of this cycle. Sandburg also touches on the idea that grief is not limited to death, but can also be felt when new life enters the world.
The third stanza of the poem is where Sandburg really starts to delve into the idea of the right to grief. He writes, "The right to grief is as sacred / As the right to worship." This line is a powerful statement that equates the act of mourning with religious worship. Sandburg is essentially saying that grief is a fundamental human right, just like the right to practice one's religion.
Sandburg goes on to explore the idea that grief is often dismissed or ignored by society. He writes, "But the right to grief is violated / When any human voice is silenced." This line highlights the fact that when we ignore or dismiss someone's grief, we are essentially silencing their voice. Sandburg is calling for a society that acknowledges and respects the importance of mourning.
The fifth stanza of the poem is where Sandburg really starts to use literary devices to convey his message. He writes, "The right to grief is as ancient / As the earth and as deep." This line uses the literary device of simile to compare the right to grief to something ancient and deep. Sandburg is essentially saying that grief is a fundamental part of the human experience, and has been around for as long as the earth itself.
The sixth stanza of the poem is where Sandburg really starts to use imagery to convey his message. He writes, "It is as human / As the hands that touch your hair / And the breast you were nursed at." This line uses imagery to create a vivid picture of what it means to be human. Sandburg is essentially saying that grief is a natural and human emotion, just like the act of being touched or nursed as a baby.
The seventh stanza of the poem is where Sandburg really starts to use repetition to convey his message. He writes, "The right to grief is as holy / As the right to love." This line repeats the phrase "the right to" twice, which emphasizes the importance of both grief and love. Sandburg is essentially saying that grief is just as important as love, and should be given the same level of respect and attention.
The eighth and final stanza of the poem is where Sandburg really brings everything together. He writes, "There is a place for grief / And the right to grief is good." This line brings the poem full circle, and reinforces the idea that grief is a natural and necessary part of the human experience. Sandburg is essentially saying that we should not be afraid to mourn, and that we should embrace our grief as a fundamental part of who we are.
In conclusion, "The Right to Grief" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the theme of loss and the right to mourn. Sandburg uses a variety of literary devices, including simile, imagery, and repetition, to convey his message. The poem is a reminder that grief is a natural and necessary part of the human experience, and that it should be given the space and time it deserves. Sandburg's words are a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience, and to remind us of the things that truly matter in life.
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