Poem Analysis - Choices

Initial Impression and Tone

Carl Sandburg's poem "Choices" presents a stark contrast between two different lifestyles or philosophies. The tone shifts from alluring and enticing to harsh and unyielding, reflecting the speaker's stark choices. The poem begins with an inviting and almost seductive tone, describing pleasures and luxuries, but quickly transitions to a grim and uncompromising offer. This shift underscores the poem's central conflict between indulgence and hardship.

Themes of Indulgence vs. Hardship

The poem explores the theme of indulgence vs. hardship through vivid imagery and contrasting descriptions. The first stanza offers a life of luxury and pleasure, with "moonlight on the play of fountains at night," "bare-shouldered, smiling women," and "a cross-play of loves and adulteries." These images evoke a sense of decadence and hedonism. In contrast, the second stanza presents a life of struggle and toil, with "salt and bread," "a terrible job of work," and "tireless war." These stark contrasts highlight the choices one must make between ease and difficulty, pleasure and pain.

Themes of Mortality and Regret

The theme of mortality and regret is subtly woven into the poem. The first stanza mentions "a fear of death and a remembering of regrets," suggesting that a life of indulgence may lead to existential dread and remorse. This contrasts with the second stanza's focus on immediate, tangible hardships, which may imply a more straightforward, albeit difficult, path. The poem suggests that both choices have their own forms of suffering, but the nature of that suffering differs greatly.

Symbolism of Food and Labor

The poem uses powerful symbols to convey its themes. Food is a recurring symbol, representing both sustenance and desire. The "moonlight on the play of fountains at night" and "water sparkling a drowsy monotone" evoke a sense of luxury and indulgence, while "salt and bread" and "hunger" represent basic, essential needs. The contrast between these images underscores the difference between luxury and necessity. Labor is another key symbol, with "a terrible job of work" and "tireless war" representing the hardships and struggles of life. These symbols contribute to the poem's overall message about the choices we make and the consequences that follow.

Conclusion

In "Choices," Carl Sandburg presents a clear and unyielding exploration of the paths we choose in life. Through vivid imagery and stark contrasts, the poem delves into the themes of indulgence vs. hardship and the ever-present specter of mortality and regret. The symbols of food and labor further emphasize the poem's central message: that life offers us choices, and each choice comes with its own set of consequences. The poem ultimately invites readers to consider the nature of their own choices and the paths they have taken or will take.