Poem Analysis - So You Want To Be A Writer

The Urgency of Authentic Creation

Charles Bukowski's poem "so you want to be a writer" is a raw, unfiltered manifesto on the necessity of authenticity in creative work. The tone is blunt and confrontational, almost like a warning or a challenge to aspiring writers. Bukowski shifts from a dismissive, even mocking attitude toward pretentiousness to a more solemn acknowledgment of the transformative power of true artistic compulsion. The poem feels like a call to action—or inaction—depending on whether the reader meets Bukowski's stringent criteria for genuine creativity.

Bukowski’s Gritty Perspective

Bukowski, known for his gritty, no-nonsense style, often wrote about the struggles of the working class and the absurdities of life. This poem reflects his disdain for artificiality and his belief that art must emerge from an uncontrollable inner force. His background as a self-taught writer who endured poverty and rejection adds weight to his advice: he speaks from experience, not theory. The poem critiques the commodification of art, a recurring theme in his work, and underscores the idea that writing should be a visceral, involuntary act rather than a calculated pursuit of external rewards.

Themes: Passion, Authenticity, and Survival

The poem explores passion as a non-negotiable requirement for writing. Bukowski insists that creativity must "burst" out uncontrollably, using visceral imagery like the "sun inside you burning your gut" to convey its intensity. Authenticity is another key theme; he scorns those who write for money, fame, or approval, labeling them "dull and boring and pretentious." Finally, the poem touches on survival—both of the artist and the art itself. The final lines suggest that true writing is a life-or-death compulsion, something that "will keep on doing it until you die or it dies in you."

Symbols of Creative Fire and Emptiness

Bukowski uses contrasting symbols to drive home his message. The rocket and burning sun represent the explosive, uncontrollable energy of real creativity, while the yawning libraries symbolize the boredom and exhaustion caused by unin