Poem Analysis - The Problem

Initial Impression and Tone

The poem The Problem by Ralph Waldo Emerson presents a reflective and contemplative tone, exploring the speaker's admiration for religious institutions and figures while also expressing a reluctance to fully embrace their roles. The poem shifts between reverence for spiritual and artistic achievements and a personal detachment from the religious life. Emerson's language is rich and evocative, drawing on historical and natural imagery to convey complex ideas about faith, art, and human creativity.

Historical and Biographical Context

Ralph Waldo Emerson, a prominent figure in American literature, was a transcendentalist philosopher and essayist. His work often explores themes of individualism, nature, and the divine. The Problem reflects Emerson's interest in the relationship between human creativity and spiritual inspiration, a theme that resonates with his broader philosophical views. The poem's references to historical figures and religious symbols suggest a deep engagement with Western cultural and religious traditions.

Themes: Admiration and Detachment

One of the central themes in The Problem is the tension between admiration and detachment. The speaker expresses a deep appreciation for the church, prophets, and religious art, describing them with vivid and reverent language. For example, the speaker admires the "prophet of the soul" and the "monastic aisles" that fall like "sweet strains, or pensive smiles." However, the speaker also declares that they would not want to be a "cowlèd churchman," indicating a personal reluctance to fully embrace the religious life. This theme is developed through the contrast between the speaker's admiration for religious figures and their own sense of individuality and independence.

Themes: The Power of Nature and Human Creativity

Another significant theme is the power of nature and human creativity. Emerson uses natural imagery to illustrate the organic growth of religious and artistic achievements. The speaker compares the building of temples to the growth of grass, suggesting that these structures are a natural expression of human creativity. The poem also references the "fiery Pentecost" and the "Holy Ghost," emphasizing the divine inspiration behind human achievements. This theme is developed through the use of natural and religious imagery, highlighting the interconnectedness of nature, creativity, and spirituality.

Themes: The Enduring Influence of Spiritual Wisdom

The poem also explores the enduring influence of spiritual wisdom. The speaker acknowledges the wisdom of religious figures like Chrysostom, Augustine, and Taylor, describing their words as "music in my ear." However, the speaker also asserts that they would not want to be like these figures, suggesting a desire to maintain their own individuality. This theme is developed through the contrast between the speaker's admiration for religious wisdom and their own sense of personal independence. The poem suggests that spiritual wisdom can inspire and guide individuals without requiring them to fully embrace religious roles or institutions.

Symbolism and Imagery

The poem is rich in symbolism and imagery, particularly the use of natural and religious symbols. The "cowl" and "monastic aisles" symbolize the religious life, while the "prophet of the soul" represents spiritual inspiration. The natural imagery, such as the "wood bird's nest" and the "sacred pine tree," symbolizes the organic growth of human creativity. The "fiery Pentecost" and the "Holy Ghost" represent divine inspiration, highlighting the connection between spirituality and human achievement. These symbols contribute to the poem's overall message about the tension between admiration and detachment, the power of nature and creativity, and the enduring influence of spiritual wisdom. The ambiguity of the speaker's stance on religious life invites readers to consider their own relationship with faith and individuality.

Conclusion

The Problem by Ralph Waldo Emerson is a reflective exploration of the tension between admiration and detachment, the power of nature and human creativity, and the enduring influence of spiritual wisdom. Through vivid imagery and symbolism, the poem invites readers to consider their own relationship with faith and individuality. The speaker's admiration for religious figures and institutions is balanced by a personal reluctance to fully embrace the religious life, suggesting that spiritual wisdom can inspire and guide individuals without requiring them to conform to religious roles or institutions. The poem's rich language and complex themes make it a significant contribution to Emerson's body of work and to American literature more broadly.