Poem Analysis - North Atlantic

Overall Impression and Tone

Carl Sandburg's "North Atlantic" is a poetic exploration of the sea's enduring and enigmatic presence. The poem oscillates between a sense of awe and a feeling of being overwhelmed, reflecting the sea's dual nature as both a giver and a taker. The tone shifts from reverence to introspection, capturing the sea's timeless and unchanging yet ever-changing character. The poem's free verse form supports its fluid and expansive themes, mirroring the sea's boundless nature.

Themes of Timelessness and Change

The poem delves into the theme of timelessness, emphasizing the sea's eternal presence. Sandburg repeatedly states that the sea is "always the same" yet "always changes," highlighting its paradoxical nature. This duality is reinforced through the use of contrasting imagery, such as the "fog on fog" and the "wind on wind," which suggest both stasis and motion. The sea's timelessness is further emphasized through the lines "it is neither Saturday nor Monday, it is any day or no day, it is a year, ten years," suggesting a perpetual present where time loses its conventional meaning.

Themes of Identity and Belonging

Another prominent theme is the exploration of identity and belonging. The speaker traces his lineage through various fathers, culminating in a "sea-lover" and "gipsy sea-boy," suggesting a deep connection to the sea. This connection is reinforced through the repetition of the phrase "I am kin of the changer," indicating the speaker's acceptance of the sea's dual nature. The sea is personified as a "worker, a thief and a loafer," and the speaker identifies himself as a "son of the sea and the sea's wife, the wind," underscoring his sense of belonging to the sea's unpredictable and powerful domain.

Themes of Mortality and Loss

The poem also touches on the theme of mortality and loss. The sea is described as a force that "takes without asking" and "lets go so slow," suggesting its role in the cycle of life and death. The speaker mentions being "let down in a thousand graves" by his kinfolk, indicating a sense of abandonment and loss. This theme is further emphasized through the imagery of "salt from an old work of eating our graveclothes," which suggests the sea's role in the decay and renewal of life. The sea's "wife, the wind," is also present, reinforcing the idea of the sea's dual role as both a giver and a taker of life.

Recurring Symbols and Imagery

The sea serves as the central symbol in the poem, embodying both the timeless and changing aspects of life. It is described as "older than anything else" and "younger than anything else," highlighting its paradoxical nature. The sea's ability to "give all" and yet "keep something back" underscores its enigmatic and unpredictable character. The sea's "wife, the wind," is another recurring symbol, representing the sea's dynamic and ever-changing nature. The wind's presence also suggests the sea's role in the cycle of life and death, as it is often associated with both creation and destruction.

Conclusion

"North Atlantic" by Carl Sandburg is a profound meditation on the sea's enduring and enigmatic presence. Through its exploration of timelessness, identity, and mortality, the poem offers a deep insight into the human experience. The sea's paradoxical nature serves as a powerful symbol of life's complexities, reminding us of both its beauty and its brutality. The poem's final lines, "I am kin of the changer. I am a son of the sea and the sea's wife, the wind," underscore the speaker's acceptance of the sea's dual nature and his sense of belonging to its unpredictable and powerful domain. This acceptance reflects a broader human struggle to find meaning and belonging in a world that is both timeless and ever-changing.