Poem Analysis - Each Small Gleam Was A Voice

Initial Impression and Tone

Stephen Crane's poem Each Small Gleam Was A Voice presents a serene and mystical atmosphere, evoking a sense of tranquility and wonder. The tone is contemplative and almost reverential, as if the speaker is observing a sacred event. The poem begins with a gentle, almost whimsical mood, but shifts to a more profound and spiritual tone as it progresses. The use of vivid colors and natural imagery creates a vivid and enchanting scene, inviting the reader to immerse themselves in the poem's ethereal beauty.

Themes of Nature and Spirituality

The poem explores several interconnected themes, with nature and spirituality being the most prominent. The natural world is personified and imbued with a sense of divinity, suggesting a deep connection between the physical and the spiritual realms. The colors carmine, violet, green, and gold are used repeatedly, symbolizing the vibrant and sacred essence of nature. These colors are described as voices and songs, indicating that nature itself is a form of divine communication. The chorus of colors coming over the water represents a spiritual revelation, a moment of enlightenment where the natural world reveals its divine secrets.

Themes of Truth and Belief

The theme of truth and belief is also significant in the poem. The small glowing pebbles are described as singing good ballads of God and eternity, suggesting that even the smallest and most ordinary objects can hold profound truths. The phrase little priests, little holy fathers emphasizes the idea that these pebbles are sacred and authoritative, their hymning undeniable. This theme is reinforced by the repetition of the phrase songs of carmine, violet, green, gold, which serves as a refrain, underscoring the unchanging and eternal nature of these truths. The poem suggests that belief in the divine is not just a matter of faith, but a tangible and observable reality.

Symbolism of Colors and Light

The recurring symbols of colors and light are central to the poem's meaning. The colors carmine, violet, green, and gold are not just aesthetic elements but carry symbolic weight. Carmine and gold often symbolize passion and divinity, while violet can represent spirituality and green can signify growth and renewal. The small gleams and glowing pebbles represent moments of divine illumination, where the mundane is transformed into the sacred. The water over which the chorus of colors comes can be seen as a boundary between the earthly and the divine, a threshold that the colors cross to reveal their spiritual messages. The blue night being elsewhere a silence contrasts with the vibrant chorus, highlighting the contrast between the ordinary and the extraordinary, the silent and the vocal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Each Small Gleam Was A Voice is a poem that celebrates the divine presence in nature and the profound truths that can be found in the natural world. Through vivid imagery and symbolic language, Crane invites the reader to see the sacred in the ordinary, to hear the voices of the divine in the songs of colors. The poem's contemplative tone and mystical atmosphere create a sense of reverence and awe, encouraging the reader to reflect on the spiritual dimensions of their own experiences. The poem's significance lies in its ability to reveal the interconnectedness of nature and spirituality, offering a vision of the world where the divine is ever-present and accessible.