Poem Analysis - The Red Son

Initial Impression and Tone

The Red Son by Carl Sandburg presents a poignant narrative of departure and longing. The poem begins with a tone of nostalgia and familiarity, as the speaker reminisces about a community and a home. However, there is a noticeable shift in mood as the speaker reveals an inner fire and a desire to leave behind the familiar for the unknown. The tone becomes more urgent and introspective, reflecting the speaker's internal conflict and determination to pursue a different path.

Themes of Departure and Longing

One of the main themes in The Red Son is the theme of departure. The speaker expresses a strong desire to leave behind the familiar and venture into the unknown. This is evident in lines such as I am going away and I never come back to you and I go where you wist not of. The speaker's determination to leave is driven by a longing for something more, a desire to experience the world beyond the little hills and old houses. This theme is developed through the use of imagery and symbolism, which will be discussed in the following sections.

Themes of Conflict and Determination

Another prominent theme in the poem is the conflict between the familiar and the unknown. The speaker is torn between the comfort and security of the familiar and the allure of the unknown. This conflict is evident in lines such as You for the little hills and the years all alike and I am going away and I never come back to you. The speaker's determination to leave is driven by a desire to experience the world beyond the familiar, but this determination is tempered by a sense of guilt and a longing for the familiar. This theme is developed through the use of imagery and symbolism, which will be discussed in the following sections.

Themes of Mortality and the Unknown

The theme of mortality is also present in the poem. The speaker's desire to leave the familiar and venture into the unknown is driven by a sense of mortality. This is evident in lines such as Great places of death and I shall go to the city and fight against it. The speaker's determination to leave is driven by a desire to experience the world beyond the familiar, but this determination is tempered by a sense of mortality. This theme is developed through the use of imagery and symbolism, which will be discussed in the following sections.

Symbolism and Imagery

The poem is rich in symbolism and imagery, which contribute to its overall message. The little hills and old houses represent the familiar and the comfortable, while the crags and high rough places represent the unknown and the dangerous. The speaker's desire to leave the familiar and venture into the unknown is driven by a longing for something more, a desire to experience the world beyond the little hills and old houses. The city represents the unknown and the dangerous, while the star-drift on the horizon rim represents the unknown and the mysterious. The speaker's determination to leave is driven by a desire to experience the world beyond the familiar, but this determination is tempered by a sense of mortality.

Conclusion

The Red Son by Carl Sandburg is a poignant exploration of departure, longing, and mortality. Through the use of imagery and symbolism, the poem develops themes of conflict and determination, as the speaker struggles to reconcile the familiar with the unknown. The poem's significance lies in its ability to capture the human experience of longing for something more, while also acknowledging the comfort and security of the familiar. The poem's final lines, You for the little hills and I go away, encapsulate the speaker's determination to leave, while also acknowledging the comfort and security of the familiar. This final insight into the poem's significance highlights the universal human experience of longing for something more, while also acknowledging the comfort and security of the familiar.