Poem Analysis - It Was Wrong To Do This Said The Angel

Initial Impression and Tone

Stephen Crane's poem It Was Wrong To Do This, Said The Angel presents a dialogue between an angel and a man, exploring the nature of morality and human behavior. The tone is initially didactic, with the angel offering advice on how to live a virtuous life. However, the man's response shifts the mood to one of defiance and skepticism, challenging the angel's perspective. The poem's brevity and conversational style make it accessible, yet its themes are profound and thought-provoking.

Themes of Morality and Human Nature

The poem delves into the theme of morality, questioning whether there is a universal standard of right and wrong. The angel represents a traditional, perhaps religious, viewpoint, suggesting that humans should live peacefully and harmlessly, like flowers, puppies, and lambkins. The man, however, rejects this idea, implying that such behavior is only suitable for angels, not humans. This theme is developed through the contrast between the angel's advice and the man's rebuttal, highlighting the tension between idealistic morality and human nature.

The theme of human nature is also prominent. The man's refusal to accept the angel's advice suggests a belief in the inherent complexity and sometimes dark aspects of human behavior. The use of animals to symbolize different behaviors is significant. Flowers, puppies, and lambkins are all innocent and harmless, suggesting that the angel views humans as capable of living in a state of pure innocence. The man's rejection of this idea implies a more nuanced view of human nature, acknowledging that humans are capable of both good and bad actions.

Symbolism and Imagery

The poem uses vivid imagery to convey its themes. The angel's advice to live like a flower, holding malice like a puppy, and waging war like a lambkin creates a stark contrast with the man's defiant response. These images symbolize innocence and harmlessness, which the man rejects as unrealistic for humans. The man's refusal to accept the angel's advice suggests a belief in the inherent complexity and sometimes dark aspects of human behavior. The use of animals to symbolize different behaviors is significant. Flowers, puppies, and lambkins are all innocent and harmless, suggesting that the angel views humans as capable of living in a state of pure innocence. The man's rejection of this idea implies a more nuanced view of human nature, acknowledging that humans are capable of both good and bad actions.

The dialogue format of the poem supports its themes by highlighting the contrast between the angel's idealistic view and the man's more pragmatic perspective. The poem's brevity and conversational style make it accessible, yet its themes are profound and thought-provoking. The use of repetition, with the angel's advice echoed in the man's response, emphasizes the tension between these two viewpoints. The poem leaves the reader to ponder the question of whether there is a universal standard of morality, or whether morality is more complex and subjective.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Stephen Crane's It Was Wrong To Do This, Said The Angel is a thought-provoking exploration of morality and human nature. Through the dialogue between an angel and a man, the poem challenges traditional views of morality, suggesting that human behavior is more complex and nuanced. The use of vivid imagery and symbolism, along with the poem's conversational style, make it an engaging and accessible exploration of these profound themes. The poem ultimately leaves the reader to ponder the question of whether there is a universal standard of morality, or whether morality is more complex and subjective.