Poem Analysis - The Lawyers Know Too Much

Initial Impression and Tone

The poem The Lawyers Know Too Much by Carl Sandburg presents a critical and somewhat cynical view of lawyers and the legal system. The tone is conversational and direct, addressing an unnamed Bob, which gives it an informal, almost colloquial feel. However, the underlying mood shifts from sarcastic to reflective, especially in the final stanzas, where the poem takes on a more philosophical and melancholic tone. The poem uses vivid imagery and stark contrasts to highlight its themes.

Themes of Criticism and Mortality

The primary theme is a critique of the legal profession, portrayed as overly complex and detached from practical, human concerns. Sandburg uses the phrase dead hand to describe the legal precedents and traditions that lawyers rely on, suggesting that these are outdated and inflexible. The repetition of the phrase the lawyers know too much emphasizes this criticism, implying that lawyers are more concerned with legal technicalities than with justice or human needs. The poem also explores the theme of mortality, contrasting the enduring work of other professions with the transient nature of legal practice. The bricklayer, mason, and farmer are all depicted as leaving lasting, tangible legacies, while the work of lawyers is portrayed as ephemeral and insubstantial.

Imagery and Symbolism

The poem is rich in vivid imagery and symbolism. The dead hand is a powerful symbol of outdated legal traditions, while the hearse horse snickering represents a dark, almost supernatural judgment on the legal profession. The mouse trying to find something to fasten a tooth in suggests that the legal system leaves little of substance behind. The blue, moon, and wind in the final stanzas symbolize the enduring and natural, contrasting with the artificial and transient nature of legal work. The secret singing and the snickering hearse horse are particularly intriguing images, suggesting a hidden, almost sinister, aspect to the legal profession. Why does a hearse horse snicker hauling a lawyer's bones? This question invites readers to ponder the deeper implications of the poem's critique.

Concluding Thoughts

The Lawyers Know Too Much offers a scathing critique of the legal profession, using vivid imagery and stark contrasts to highlight its themes of criticism and mortality. The poem suggests that the legal system is overly complex and detached from practical, human concerns, leaving little of substance behind. The enduring work of other professions is contrasted with the transient nature of legal practice, emphasizing the poem's critique. The final stanzas invite readers to reflect on the deeper implications of the poem's critique, leaving a lasting impression of the legal profession's flaws and the need for a more human-centered approach to justice.