Poem Analysis - Prayers Of Steel

Initial Impression and Tone

Carl Sandburg's "Prayers of Steel" is a powerful and evocative poem that uses vivid imagery and a commanding tone to convey a sense of transformation and purpose. The speaker's requests to be beaten and hammered into tools of construction suggest a desire for strength and utility. The poem's tone is one of determination and resolve, with a shift from personal transformation to a broader, structural role. The speaker's willingness to be shaped and used for a greater purpose is a central theme, reflected in the poem's straightforward and direct language.

Themes of Transformation and Utility

The poem explores the theme of transformation, as the speaker asks to be remade into tools of steel. The repeated phrase "Lay me on an anvil, O God" emphasizes the speaker's willingness to undergo this transformation. The imagery of being beaten and hammered into a crowbar or a steel spike suggests a desire for strength and durability. The speaker wants to be useful, to "pry loose old walls" and "lift and loosen old foundations," indicating a theme of utility and purpose.

Themes of Construction and Endurance

The theme of construction is evident in the speaker's desire to be part of a skyscraper's structure. The imagery of being driven into girders and fastened with red-hot rivets suggests a role in building something enduring and significant. The speaker wants to be the "great nail holding a skyscraper through blue nights into white stars," indicating a desire for permanence and resilience. This theme is reinforced by the poem's focus on steel, a material known for its strength and durability.

Symbolism of Steel and Construction

The symbol of steel is central to the poem, representing strength, durability, and utility. The speaker's repeated requests to be made into steel tools underscore this symbolism. The imagery of construction, particularly the building of a skyscraper, further emphasizes the theme of endurance and purpose. The skyscraper, a symbol of human achievement and progress, represents the speaker's desire to be part of something greater and more lasting. The "blue nights into white stars" could symbolize the passage of time, suggesting that the speaker's role in the skyscraper is enduring and transcendent.

Conclusion and Final Insight

In "Prayers of Steel," Carl Sandburg uses vivid imagery and a commanding tone to explore themes of transformation, utility, and endurance. The speaker's desire to be remade into tools of steel and to play a role in constructing a skyscraper reflects a deep longing for strength, purpose, and permanence. The poem's symbolism of steel and construction underscores these themes, suggesting that the speaker finds meaning and value in being part of something greater and more lasting. The poem's final insight is that true strength and purpose come from being useful and enduring, from playing a role in building something that will stand the test of time.