Poem Analysis - Once There Was A Man

Initial Impression and Tone

Stephen Crane's "Once There Was A Man" presents a stark and cynical view of life through the eyes of a man who has become disillusioned with the world. The poem's tone is bitter and resigned, reflecting the man's disenchantment with all experiences, whether pleasant or painful. The mood shifts from a detached observation of the man's wisdom to a stark declaration of his nihilistic beliefs. The poem's brevity and straightforward language amplify its bleak message, making it a powerful exploration of existential despair.

Themes of Disillusionment and Nihilism

The central theme of the poem is disillusionment. The man in the poem has come to see the world as devoid of genuine joy or pain, reducing all experiences to mere "opinion." This theme is developed through the man's observations of "all drink" and "all touch," which he finds bitter and stinging, respectively. The repetition of "all" emphasizes his universal disenchantment. The poem's tone, which is both resigned and defiant, underscores the man's nihilistic worldview, where even the concept of opinion is dismissed as worthless.

The Role of Sensory Experience

The poem uses sensory imagery to highlight the man's disillusionment. The phrases "all drink" and "all touch" evoke the senses of taste and touch, suggesting that even the most basic human experiences have lost their meaning for him. The "bitter" taste and the "sting" of touch symbolize his negative perception of the world. These sensory details contribute to the overall message of the poem by illustrating the man's complete detachment from the world around him. The use of sensory language also makes the poem more immediate and visceral, drawing the reader into the man's bleak perspective.

The Significance of Opinion

The man's final declaration, "There is nothing save opinion, And opinion be damned," is the culmination of his disillusionment. The word "opinion" is repeated to emphasize its insignificance in his eyes. The phrase "opinion be damned" is a powerful expression of his contempt for subjective judgment, suggesting that he sees all human experience as ultimately meaningless. This final line ties together the themes of disillusionment and nihilism, presenting a worldview where nothing has intrinsic value. The poem's brevity and direct language make this message all the more impactful, leaving the reader to ponder the implications of such a bleak perspective.