Poem Analysis - A Fence

Initial Impression and Tone

A Fence by Carl Sandburg presents a stark and somber depiction of a newly constructed fence around a stone house. The poem's tone is initially matter-of-fact, almost clinical, as it describes the fence's construction and purpose. However, the mood shifts to one of foreboding and isolation as the poem progresses, highlighting the fence's role in excluding the unwanted and the inevitable.

Themes of Isolation and Exclusion

The primary theme of the poem is isolation, emphasized through the fence's role in shutting out the world. The fence is described as a masterpiece, but its purpose is to keep out the rabble, vagabonds, hungry men, and wandering children. This imagery suggests a stark division between the privileged and the marginalized, highlighting the theme of exclusion. The use of the word rabble implies a disdain for the lower classes, reinforcing the idea of a rigid social hierarchy.

Themes of Mortality and Inevitability

The poem also explores the theme of mortality. The steel points of the fence are described as capable of stabbing the life out of any man who falls on them, introducing the idea of death. The lines Passing through the bars and over the steel points will go nothing except Death and the Rain and To-morrow emphasize the inevitability of death and the passage of time. The rain and tomorrow are natural and unavoidable, much like death, which will eventually find its way through any barrier.

Symbolism of the Fence

The fence serves as a powerful symbol in the poem. It represents both physical and social barriers, separating the privileged from the marginalized. The iron bars and steel points symbolize the harshness and impenetrability of these barriers. The fence's ability to keep out everything except death and the passage of time underscores its symbolism as an inevitable and unyielding force. The fence's description as a masterpiece adds a layer of irony, suggesting that the exclusion and isolation it creates are seen as achievements rather than flaws.

Final Insights

The poem A Fence by Carl Sandburg uses vivid imagery and symbolism to explore themes of isolation, exclusion, and mortality. The fence, with its iron bars and steel points, serves as a stark reminder of the barriers that separate people and the inevitability of death. The poem's tone shifts from clinical to foreboding, reflecting the harsh reality of a world divided by privilege and exclusion. Ultimately, the poem invites readers to consider the consequences of such divisions and the inescapable nature of time and death.