Poem Analysis - Savoir Faire

Initial Impression and Tone

Carl Sandburg's poem Savoir Faire presents a bold and somewhat defiant speaker who contemplates his legacy and the public's memory of him. The tone is initially playful and confident, with a touch of arrogance, as the speaker imagines a bronze statue of himself placed alongside that of King Carl XII. However, the mood shifts to a more reflective and even melancholic tone as the speaker considers the possibility of being forgotten and the reactions of different generations. The poem's form, with its conversational language and varied line lengths, supports the speaker's informal and direct address to the reader.

Historical and Biographical Context

Carl Sandburg, an American poet, was known for his works that often reflected the common people and their struggles. His background as a laborer and his experiences during the Great Depression influenced his writing, giving it a grounded and relatable quality. While Savoir Faire does not directly reference American history, it touches on themes of legacy and public memory that resonate with Sandburg's broader body of work. The poem's setting in Sweden and mention of King Carl XII suggest a historical context that might be less familiar to some readers, but the themes it explores are universal.

Themes of Legacy and Mortality

The central theme of Savoir Faire is the speaker's contemplation of his legacy and how he will be remembered after his death. The speaker imagines a bronze statue of himself, suggesting a desire for public recognition and immortality. This desire is contrasted with the speaker's acceptance of the possibility of being forgotten, as seen in the lines where he considers the old men who might prefer a statue of another king. The theme of mortality is also present, as the speaker reflects on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The image of the old men with varicose veins and the mention of the bath service highlight the physical signs of aging and the passage of time.

Themes of Generational Differences

The poem also explores the theme of generational differences, as the speaker contrasts the reactions of old men and young men to his legacy. The old men are portrayed as conservative and resistant to change, preferring to honor traditional figures like kings. In contrast, the young men are seen as more open-minded and willing to embrace new ideas, as suggested by the speaker's hope that they will read his poems. This theme is reinforced by the speaker's reference to the young men as the bloodkin of those who laughed nine hundred years ago, suggesting a connection to a rebellious and free-spirited past.

Symbolism of the Bronze Statue and the Sun and Moon

The bronze statue serves as a powerful symbol of the speaker's desire for public recognition and immortality. The statue is meant to be a lasting tribute to the speaker, standing alongside that of a king and serving as a reminder of his existence. The sun and moon, which the speaker watches from a jutland of fire-born red granite, can be seen as symbols of the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life. The sun's drop in the middle of the afternoon and the full moon shining at the same time suggest a moment of transition and reflection, as the speaker contemplates his place in the world and his legacy. The granite jutland, with its fiery red color, might also symbolize the speaker's passionate and defiant spirit, as well as the enduring nature of his words and ideas.

Conclusion

In Savoir Faire, Carl Sandburg presents a speaker who grapples with the desire for recognition and the fear of being forgotten. Through vivid imagery and a shifting tone, the poem explores themes of legacy, mortality, and generational differences. The bronze statue and the sun and moon serve as powerful symbols that reinforce the poem's central ideas. Ultimately, the poem offers a reflection on the human desire for immortality and the complex ways in which we seek to be remembered by future generations. The speaker's defiant spirit and acceptance of the possibility of being forgotten highlight the universal struggle to find meaning and significance in a world that is constantly changing.