Poem Analysis - Chords

Initial Impressions and Tone

Carl Sandburg's poem Chords presents a vivid and contrasting portrait of a woman across two different times of day. The poem's tone shifts from a sense of adventure and freedom in the morning to a more introspective and melancholic mood in the evening. The use of vivid imagery and sensory details creates a strong visual and emotional impact, drawing the reader into the poem's dual scenes. The repetition of certain phrases and images reinforces the poem's themes and adds a rhythmic quality to the text.

Themes of Contrast and Duality

One of the most prominent themes in Chords is the contrast between different times of day and the activities associated with them. The morning scene is dynamic and outdoorsy, with the woman riding horseback by the sea, dressed in practical leather boots and gauntlets. This imagery suggests a sense of freedom and adventure. In contrast, the evening scene is more static and indoors, with the woman sitting at a piano, dressed in elegant black velvet and wearing a rope of pearls. This contrast highlights the duality of the woman's experiences and perhaps her inner life. The use of the word adumbrants in the first stanza, which means to foreshadow or hint at something, suggests that the morning scene is a prelude to the evening's more introspective mood.

Nature and the Sublime

Another significant theme is the connection to nature and the sublime. The morning scene is filled with natural elements sea, rocks, and hills, which are juxtaposed with the woman's adventurous spirit. The evening scene, while indoors, brings in elements of nature through the metaphorical blizzards across Nebraska and the battering Russian marches on the piano, suggesting a stormy or tumultuous inner state. The use of natural imagery in both scenes underscores the poem's exploration of the sublime, or the awe-inspiring and sometimes overwhelming power of nature. This theme is further emphasized by the use of vivid sensory details, such as the feel of leather boots and the sight of a rope of pearls, which immerse the reader in the poem's natural and emotional landscapes.

Recurring Symbols and Imagery

The poem features several recurring symbols and vivid images that contribute to its overall meaning. The woman's attire, for example, changes from practical leather in the morning to elegant velvet in the evening, symbolizing a shift from action to introspection. The rope of pearls on her white shoulders appears in both scenes, suggesting a connection between the two contrasting moods. The piano and the music it produces also serve as important symbols. The battering Russian marches on the piano could represent the woman's inner turmoil or the tumultuous events of her life. The piano itself might symbolize the woman's ability to express her emotions and experiences through music. The repetition of the phrase riding horseback on hills by the sea and sitting at the ivory keys in black velvet, a rope of pearls on white shoulders reinforces the poem's themes of contrast and duality, as well as the woman's enduring presence across different times and moods.

Final Insights

In conclusion, Chords is a rich and evocative poem that explores themes of contrast, duality, and the sublime through vivid imagery and sensory details. The poem's shifting moods and recurring symbols create a complex portrait of a woman navigating different experiences and emotions. The use of natural imagery and the sublime underscores the poem's exploration of the powerful and sometimes overwhelming forces that shape our lives. Ultimately, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of contrast and duality, and to consider the ways in which nature and the sublime influence our inner lives.