Poem Analysis - Whirls

Initial Impression and Tone

Carl Sandburg's poem "Whirls" presents a stark and vivid contrast between the refined and the raw, the civilized and the wild. The tone shifts from a somewhat mocking and critical stance towards the respectable and the sacred to a more awe-inspiring and dramatic portrayal of natural forces. The poem begins with a dismissive tone, rejecting the conventional and the revered, and then moves to celebrate the untamed and the powerful.

Themes of Contrast and Natural Power

The poem develops several themes, with the most prominent being the contrast between the artificial and the natural, and the power of nature. Sandburg juxtaposes "rose leaves gathered in a jar" and "drops of Christ blood for a chalice" with "cinders," "northwest winds," and "winter spray on sea rocks." The former represent human-made reverence and respectability, while the latter embody the raw, untamed power of nature. This contrast highlights Sandburg's preference for the authentic and the powerful over the artificial and the revered.

Another theme is the idea of authenticity and power. Sandburg seems to value the genuine and the powerful, as seen in the natural phenomena described. The "hissing" of cinders, the "howling" of winds, and the "spatter" of winter spray are all vivid and powerful images that convey a sense of raw, unbridled force. This theme is reinforced by the poem's form, which is free verse, reflecting the untamed and unstructured nature of the elements described.

Symbols and Imagery

The poem is rich in vivid imagery that contributes to its themes. The "rose leaves gathered in a jar" and "drops of Christ blood for a chalice" are symbols of human reverence and respectability, while the "cinders," "northwest winds," and "winter spray on sea rocks" are symbols of natural power and authenticity. The use of specific locations like Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago, North and South Dakota, and Kamchatka adds a sense of realism and grounding to the poem, making the contrasts more striking.

The "cinders" in Chicago, the "howling" winds across the Dakotas, and the "spatter" of winter spray in Kamchatka are all powerful images that convey the raw, untamed force of nature. These images are in stark contrast to the more refined and revered symbols, emphasizing Sandburg's preference for the authentic and the powerful. The use of onomatopoeia in "hissing" and "howling" further emphasizes the sensory and visceral nature of these images.

Conclusion and Significance

In conclusion, "Whirls" by Carl Sandburg is a powerful exploration of the contrast between the artificial and the natural, and the value of authenticity and power. Through vivid imagery and stark contrasts, Sandburg celebrates the raw, untamed force of nature and rejects the artificial and the revered. The poem's free verse form supports its themes, reflecting the untamed and unstructured nature of the elements described. Ultimately, the poem invites readers to appreciate the authentic and the powerful, and to question the value of the artificial and the revered.