Poem Analysis - Threes

Initial Impression and Tone

Carl Sandburg's poem Threes presents a reflective journey through different stages of the speaker's life, exploring the ideals and values that people are willing to fight and die for. The tone shifts from curious and questioning in the beginning to somewhat disillusioned and cynical by the end. The poem moves through various historical and personal moments, each marked by a set of three significant words or phrases. The speaker's journey is marked by a growing skepticism towards the grand ideals that people hold dear.

Historical and Personal Context

Carl Sandburg, an American poet, was known for his works that often reflected the social and political climate of his time. The poem Threes touches on several historical events and ideals, such as the French Revolution and the Russian Revolution, which were significant in shaping the political landscape of the 20th century. The speaker's encounters with different groups of people and their respective ideals provide a broad perspective on the human condition and the values that drive people to action.

Themes of Ideals and Disillusionment

The poem explores the theme of ideals and the disillusionment that can come with age and experience. The speaker begins with the ideals of the French Revolution Liberty, Equality, Fraternity and questions why people die for such abstract concepts. As the speaker ages, he encounters other sets of ideals, such as Mother, Home, and Heaven, and later, Bread, Peace, and Land. Each set of ideals is presented with a sense of gravity and importance, but the speaker's tone becomes increasingly skeptical. The final encounter with the marine highlights a more pragmatic and personal set of values, suggesting a shift from grand ideals to more immediate and personal concerns.

Themes of Mortality and the Passage of Time

Another prominent theme is mortality and the passage of time. The poem mentions great clocks of doom and damnation, which symbolize the inexorable march of time and the inevitability of death. The phrase years ticked off their say-so emphasizes the relentless passage of time, which brings both change and decay. The speaker's journey from boyhood to old age is marked by encounters with different ideals, each tied to a specific historical or personal moment. This theme underscores the transient nature of human values and the enduring presence of mortality.

Themes of Human Connection and Isolation

The poem also touches on the theme of human connection and isolation. The speaker's encounters with various groups of people highlight both the shared ideals that unite them and the isolation that comes with individual experience. The marine's pragmatic and personal set of values contrasts with the grand ideals of the other groups, suggesting a more intimate and immediate form of connection. The final lines of the poem, with the marine's simple and direct questions, emphasize the importance of personal connection and the isolation that can come from abstract ideals.

Recurring Symbols and Imagery

The use of the number three is a recurring symbol in the poem, representing a set of ideals or values that people hold dear. Each set of three words or phrases is presented with a sense of importance and gravity, but the speaker's tone becomes increasingly skeptical. The imagery of the great clocks of doom and damnation symbolizes the passage of time and the inevitability of death, while the marine's pragmatic and personal set of values contrasts with the grand ideals of the other groups. The lilacs mentioned in the poem could symbolize remembrance and the passage of time, adding a layer of nostalgia to the speaker's reflections.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Carl Sandburg's Threes is a reflective journey through the ideals and values that people hold dear, marked by a growing sense of disillusionment and skepticism. The poem explores themes of ideals, mortality, and human connection, using vivid imagery and recurring symbols to convey its message. The final encounter with the marine highlights a shift from grand ideals to more immediate and personal concerns, suggesting a deeper understanding of the human condition. The poem ultimately invites readers to reflect on the values that drive them and the passage of time that shapes their experiences.