by Julie Gomez

‘In the Desert’ by Stephen Crane

In the desert

I saw a creature, naked, bestial,

Who, squatting upon the ground,

Held his heart in his hands,

And ate of it.

I said, “Is it good, friend?”

“It is bitter– bitter,” he answered;

“But I like it

Because it is bitter,

And because it is my heart.”

‘In the Desert,’ written by Stephen Crane in 1895, is a comparatively short poem with just two stanzas. However, its message and style are profound. Stephen Crane, though he passed in his late twenties, was influential throughout his work, particularly with his short story titled “The Red Badge of Courage,” also published in 1895.

This story follows a young Union soldier during the Civil War, and while Crane didn’t serve as a soldier himself, he gained much field experience in life by analyzing and experiencing different kinds of people. One of the trips he went on, which was to the Western region of the United States, informed his poem “In the Desert.” Upon his arrival, he was surprised by the reality of the West, that it didn’t consist of an open frontier full of cowboys and booming opportunities for attainment of the “American Dream.” He was presented with overgrazed cattle land and the very real predicament of Americans at the time in clutching poverty. Crane, however, was not entirely disappointed by this. He became fascinated with this human experience which embodied this region of immense struggle. He was captivated by the everyday man. 

The creature which Crane describes in this poem of being “naked [and] bestial” is representative of this poverty he witnessed. The everyday man struggled to earn the income to afford food, let alone clothing and hygiene products. This type of person essentially had nothing, except of course their own soul and body. Crane describes this less than human figure as “[holding] his heart in his hands” because figuratively that is what he saw while he was in the West. And of this heart, Crane describes he “ate of it.” Rather than this allegorical action being considered obscure or strange to Crane, he asks of the figure “‘Is it good, friend?’” The simple and straight forward language implemented is indicative of the poem’s analytical message. Crane is not judgmental towards the action or of the figure committing the action. Instead, he’s inquisitive, seeking answers from a stranger which he views as someone close to him, someone he can learn from. “It is bitter– bitter,” the figure replies. The figure is not ashamed or embarrassed by what he is doing or by someone watching him. He’s reciprocal in the conversation, willing to share his perspective.

This style of openness and reciprocity works well in communicating the predicament of the moment and the environment in which has created it, including the land, the figure itself, and the economic and social conditions which have shaped both. The figure affirms for Crane, “But I like it/Because it is bitter/And because it is my heart.” This statement shows the figure is not necessarily angered by their predicament at all. Though conditions have weathered and reduced it to a “naked [and] bestial” creature, at it’s core it still has what is most important: its own heart. And though the heart may be “bitter” it is still its own and holds great value because that is what is most important above all. Since the poem ends without another word from the speaker Crane, the message is complete. The speaker serves as observer and student in this poem, though it can be presumed that the speaker has far more “material” value like money and overall better economical conditions. The figure, on the other hand, has nothing but its heart, positioning it rightly to teach one of life’s most important lessons: all can be lost or lose value, but the heart remains intact no matter how worn the body and soul.

Works Cited

“Stephen Crane.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/stephen-crane. Accessed 4 May 2024.

As a lover of literature, I found myself thoroughly enjoying this poem, completely immersing myself in its narrative. Reading “Casey at the Bat,” a quintessential piece of 19th-century Americana, was a delightful experience.

Originally published in 1888 in the San Francisco Examiner, “Casey at the Bat” transports readers to a dusty baseball diamond in a small town. The fate of the Mudville nine hangs precariously as they trail four to two with only one inning left to play. The tension is palpable, and despair hangs heavy in the air.

Yet, amidst the gloom, a glimmer of hope emerges as the crowd pins their collective dreams on the legendary Casey, whose prowess at the plate is the stuff of legend. It’s a testament to the enduring human spirit, an unwavering belief in redemption against seemingly insurmountable odds. The anticipation mounts as Casey steps up to the plate, his formidable presence commanding attention and stirring hearts.

What makes “Casey at the Bat” so compelling is its ability to transcend its portrayal as a mere sports poem. It resonates with audiences on a profound level, reflecting the essence of the human experience—of hope and despair, triumph and defeat. Thayer’s skilled use of language, with its rhythmic cadence and evocative imagery, draws readers into the heart of the action, allowing them to experience the exhilaration of victory and the sting of defeat alongside the denizens of Mudville.

Beyond its literary merits, “Casey at the Bat” serves as a cultural mirror to 19th-century America, providing insights into the national pastime of baseball and the prevailing values of the time. It speaks to the significance of perseverance and the indomitable spirit of the American people, themes that continue to resonate with audiences across generations. Through the lens of Mudville’s struggle, we gain a deeper understanding of the societal dynamics and cultural aspirations that defined an era.

My personal encounter with “Casey at the Bat” was enchanting. Immersed in its verses, I was transported to a bygone era, where the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd reverberated through the annals of time. It underscores the enduring power of literature to transcend temporal and spatial boundaries, connecting readers through the shared experience of storytelling.

As the narrative unfolds, we are confronted with the stark reality that fate is often capricious, and even the mightiest of heroes can falter. Despite Casey’s grand entrance and the palpable anticipation that saturates the air, he ultimately meets his downfall at the hands of the opposing pitcher, leaving Mudville shrouded in darkness.

“Casey at the Bat,” beyond being a simple sports poem, offers a journey through the cultural landscape of 19th-century America. It reflects the spirit of perseverance and the undying hope of the American people, themes that resonate throughout generations. The significance of the poem lies not only in its literary prowess but also in its ability to serve as a mirror to societal values and aspirations of a bygone era.

The vivid imagery painted by Thayer transports readers to a time when baseball was more than just a game—it was a reflection of societal hopes and dreams. The palpable tension on the baseball diamond mirrors the anxieties and uncertainties of the era, where success seemed elusive, yet hope persisted.

Moreover, “Casey at the Bat” delves into the human condition, exploring themes of triumph and defeat, resilience, and the inevitability of fate. Through the lens of Mudville’s struggle, we witness the complexities of the human spirit, where even the mightiest heroes are not immune to failure.

One cannot overlook the cultural significance of baseball in 19th-century America. It was more than a pastime; it was a unifying force that brought communities together. “Casey at the Bat” captures the essence of this cultural phenomenon, immortalizing the spirit of competition and camaraderie inherent in the sport.

On a personal level, encountering “Casey at the Bat” was a transformative experience. It transcended the boundaries of time and space, allowing me to connect with a piece of literature that speaks to the very core of the human experience. It serves as a poignant reminder of the power of storytelling to transcend generations, resonating with readers across centuries.

In essence, “Casey at the Bat” is more than just a poem—it is a cultural artifact that offers a window into the past while imparting timeless wisdom. Its enduring legacy serves as a testament to the enduring power of literature to inspire, provoke thought, and ignite the imagination. As we navigate the complexities of life, may we draw inspiration from the indomitable spirit of Casey and the denizens of Mudville, remembering that even in our darkest moments, redemption is always within reach.

In conclusion, “Casey at the Bat” remains a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences with its enduring charm and universal themes. Through its vivid imagery and poignant narrative, it serves as a poignant reminder of the power of hope in the face of adversity and the resilience of the human spirit. As we navigate life’s twists and turns, may we draw inspiration from Casey’s valiant efforts and remember that even in our darkest moments, redemption is always within reach.

Step back in time and feel the crack of the bat in a timeless journey through the heart of America’s favorite pastime

“Lead” by Ambrose Bierce

Ambrose Bierce was a pioneer writer of realist fiction, one of the most influential journalists in the United States, a horror author ranked among Lovecraft and Poe, one of the greatest American satirists, a fabulist and a poet, a feared literary critic, and a Civil War veteran. It is thanks to his parents, poor but literary, that he grew up with a deep love for books and writing. 

His poem “Lead” is about the metal, which was the material that bullets were made out of in the Civil War. In the first lines of the poem, he hails Lead like a god:

“Hail, holy Lead!—of human feuds the great

And universal arbiter; endowed

With penetration to pierce any cloud”

Lead did allow people to play God in a way humans were never meant to. It is the great and universal arbiter of human feuds, for there is no way to end a feud that is more final than to kill your opposition. 

“Fogging the field of controversial hate,

And with swift, inevitable, straight,

Searching precision find the unavowed

But vital point. Thy judgment, when allowed

By the chirurgeon, settles the debate.”

In these lines he describes how bullets find the “unavowed / But vital point,” where it hits you and you bleed out. The debate is settled by death, as noted in those last two lines, a chirurgeon being an old word for a surgeon. Bierce notes that if it weren’t for lead bullets, humans would fight by hand:

“O useful metal!—were it not for thee

We’d grapple one another’s ears away”

But when humans hear bullets, they flee:

“But when we hear thee buzzing like a bee

We, like old Muhlenberg, ‘care not to stay.’”

What really stands out to me in this poem are the last two lines. While the rest of the poem is in iambic pentameter, the last two lines have one extra syllable each and they rhyme, forming a final couplet. The poem is organized into a sonnet, though it doesn’t have the typical “ABAB” structure of a Shakespearean sonnet; instead, its rhyme scheme goes: ABBA ABBA CDCD EE. But it’s not just the formatting that makes the last two lines stand out, it’s that they introduce a character, Satan, who changes the direction of the poem from a satirical war poem to something, in my opinion, much darker.

“And when the quick have run away like pullets

Jack Satan smelts the dead to make new bullets.”

Note that quick, in this instance, means “living,” and pullets are young chickens. This is an interesting visual of Satan smelting corpses into new bullets, and also an interesting message that as we kill so many people with guns we continue to make more bullets to kill even more people. It seems to me that Satan in this line represents mankind. Since Satan is the foil to God, Bierce is implying that humans are the foil to God. 

.58 caliber Minie balls from the American Civil War

“Lead” is part of a larger work, Bierce’s most famous, called The Devil’s Dictionary, which was a series of installments published in newspapers from 1881 to 1906. The dictionary contains common words with humorous and satirical definitions, some of which are complete with poems, but some are just definitions. 

Bierce defines Lead as: “A heavy blue-gray metal much used in giving stability to light lovers—particularly to those who love not wisely but other men’s wives. Lead is also of great service as a counterpoise to an argument of such weight that it turns the scale of debate the wrong way. An interesting fact in the chemistry of international controversy is that at the point of contact of two patriotisms lead is precipitated in great quantities,” followed by the poem.

The line “Lead is also of great service as a counterpoise to an argument of such weight that it turns the scale of debate the wrong way” seems to reflect the content of the poem best. Part of the first line, “particularly to those who love not wisely but other men’s wives,” mirrors Bierce’s own life, as he separated from his wife in 1888 when he found compromising letters to her from an admirer, and they divorced in 1904. 

By Meghan Merlino

I 

Before Dawn 

Time has no spectacle more stern and strange; 

Life has no sleep so dense as that which lies 

On walls and windows, blank as sightless eyes, 

On court and prison, warehouse and exchange. 

Earth has no silence such as fills the range 

Of streets left bare beneath the haughty skies: — 

Of unremembered human miseries 

Churned without purpose in the trough of change. 

For here where day by day the tide-race rolls 

Of sordid greed and passions mean and blind, 

Here is a vast necropolis of souls! 

And life, that waits as with suspended breath, 

Weary and still, here seems more dead than death, 

Aimless and empty as an idiot’s mind. 

II 

At Dawn 

Here is the dawn a hopeless thing to see: 

Sordid and pale as is the face of one 

Who sinks exhausted in oblivion 

After a night of deep debauchery. 

Here, as the light reveals relentlessly 

All that the soul has lost and greed has won, 

Scarce we believe that somewhere now the sun 

Dawns overseas in stainless majesty. 

Yet the day comes! — ghastly and harsh and thin 

Down the cold street; and now, from far away, 

We hear a vast and sullen rumor run, 

As of the tides of ocean turning in . . . 

And know, for yet another human day, 

The world’s dull, dreadful labor is begun!

George Cabot Lodge was a widely prominent figure in the 19th and 20th centuries. He came from a long line of U.S. senators, including his father, who he worked for as a secretary for quite some time. This social status led him to befriend other politicians, most importantly Theodore Roosevelt. Interestingly, they became close friends over time and T.R. wrote an introduction in the 1911 collection Poems and Dramas of George Cabot Lodge. 

The political environment involved a lot travel for Lodge and although he was raised in Massachusetts, him and his family frequented New York often. This probably influenced Lodge to write the poem “Lower New York”. The poem reveals how observant Lodge is, describing the  activity within the city. If you’ve ever been to New York City it is truly “the city that never sleeps”. I can attest to this. I grew up in New York, a city called Wappingers Falls which is a short 90 minutes from Manhattan- so I visited quite a bit. Part II of the poem supports this as it talks of the debauchery taken place well into the night, as well as work during the day. The poem makes me sad honestly. It feels grim as Lodge is talking about the rat race that is New York City. With a metropolis this big, so many individuals sell their souls to their jobs, and sometimes in careers such as stock broking and law, etc. you do dishonorable things to succeed at that job. People work and run themselves into the ground for money, which Lodge notes of when he mentions greed. But these lives a lot of the time end up being meaningless- to society and to the person. In order to be remembered in New York you have to work your butt off, and sometimes sacrifice love, family, and happiness. New York is one of the biggest culinary cities in the U.S. too, being one of the few cities that have Michelin restaurants, another industry that requires blood, sweat, and tears. 

February 20, 2016

“And life, that waits as with suspended breath, 

Weary and still, here seems more dead than death, 

Aimless and empty as an idiot’s mind.”

I think what Lodge is saying here is that these people forget what their real purpose in life is, drowning in long work days and big salaries, “the trough of change”. To make these days tolerable, they go out and party and do ungodly things, all to  make themselves more exhausted and do it all again. In part II, it would make sense that you don’t see the sun because the high-rises make it almost impossible but I think the sun here also represents happiness, which the city residents don’t have.  As someone who lived in New York for 24 years before moving to Charleston, I believe Lodge did a pretty phenomenal job at depicting Manhattan. Many people love it there, but as I said this poem makes me sad because it’s true- New York is a place for dreams to die more than it is for dreams to manifest in my opinion. It is way harder for events to transpire in one’s favor. With that said, I also have an appreciation for the souls that work their life away in order to pursue their dreams. It’s just a shame that it comes at such a large cost. 

Unfortunately, George Cabot Lodge died at the very young age of 35 due to heart failure. However, two out of three children continued on to be major politicians, and surround themselves with city life. 

Little Orphant Annie’s come to our house to stay,
An’ wash the cups an’ saucers up, an’ brush the crumbs away,
An’ shoo the chickens off the porch, an’ dust the hearth, an’ sweep,
An’ make the fire, an’ bake the bread, an’ earn her board-an’-keep;
An’ all us other childern, when the supper things is done,
We set around the kitchen fire an’ has the mostest fun
A-list’nin’ to the witch-tales ‘at Annie tells about,
An’ the Gobble-uns ‘at gits you
             Ef you
                Don’t
                   Watch
                      Out!

Onc’t they was a little boy wouldn’t s

ay his prayers,—
So when he went to bed at night, away up stairs,
His Mammy heerd him holler, an’ his Daddy heerd him bawl,
An’ when they turn’t the kivvers down, he wasn’t there at all!
An’ they seeked him in the rafter-room, an’ cubby-hole, an’ press,
An’ seeked him up the chimbly-flue, an’ ever’wheres, I guess;
But all they ever found was thist his pants an’ roundabout–
An’ the Gobble-uns’ll git you
             Ef you
                Don’t
                   Watch
                      Out!

An’ one time a little girl ‘ud allus laugh an’ grin,
An’ make fun of ever’one, an’ all her blood an’ kin;
An’ onc’t, when they was “company,” an’ ole folks was there,
She mocked ‘em an’ shocked ‘em, an’ said she didn’t care!
An’ thist as she kicked her heels, an’ turn’t to run an’ hide,
They was two great big Black Things a-standin’ by her side,
An’ they snatched her through the ceilin’ ‘fore she knowed what she’s about!
An’ the Gobble-uns’ll git you
             Ef you
                Don’t
                   Watch
                      Out!

An’ little Orphant Annie says when the blaze is blue,
An’ the lamp-wick sputters, an’ the wind goes woo-oo!
An’ you hear the crickets quit, an’ the moon is gray,
An’ the lightnin’-bugs in dew is all squenched away,–
You better mind yer parents, an’ yer teachers fond an’ dear,
An’ churish them ‘at loves you, an’ dry the orphant’s tear,
An’ he’p the pore an’ needy ones ‘at clusters all about,
Er the Gobble-uns’ll git you
             Ef you
                Don’t
                   Watch
                      Out!

When deciding what poem to adopt I saw the title “Little Orphan Annie” and instantly remembered my favorite childhood movie that I used to watch with my sister all the time. “Little Orphan Annie” by James Whitcomb Riley is a poem that works through its simple yet evocative language and storytelling. Structurally, it consists of eight quatrains with an AABB rhyme scheme, providing a rhythmic and easy-to-follow flow. The poem tells the story of Little Orphan Annie, a character who brings joy and light to a household despite her own difficult circumstances. The poem’s language is straightforward, using dialect and colloquial phrases that add to its charm and accessibility. It employs a mix of humor and sentimentality, capturing the innocence and resilience of the titular character. Sound-wise, the poem has a singsong quality due to its rhyme scheme and rhythm, making it suitable for recitation or reading aloud. This musicality enhances its appeal and contributes to its memorability. 

The repetition of “little” in the title and throughout the poem (“little Orphant Annie,” “little Orphan Annie’s come to our house to stay”) reinforces the character’s small size and vulnerability while also endearing her to the reader. Culturally, “Little Orphan Annie” is significant as it reflects the common themes and values of the late nineteenth century. It embodies the sentimentality and idealization of childhood prevalent in literature of the time. The character of Little Orphan Annie, with her plucky and optimistic demeanor despite adversity, represents the American spirit of resilience and hope in the face of hardship. The poem also touches on themes of poverty, family, and the power of imagination, which were relevant and relatable to many during that era. In terms of typicality for nineteenth-century poetry, “Little Orphan Annie” aligns with the sentimentality and moralizing tone often found in works from this period. It employs a straightforward narrative style with clear moral lessons, such as the importance of kindness and the value of optimism in difficult circumstances. However, its use of dialect and colloquial language sets it apart somewhat, giving it a more down-to-earth and folksy feel compared to some more formal nineteenth-century poetry.

.“Little Orphan Annie” is a charming and culturally significant poem that works through its simple yet effective language, rhythmic structure, and portrayal of an endearing character. It reflects the values and themes of its time while also offering a timeless message of hope and resilience. In the poem when it says “You better mind yer parents, an’ yer teachers fond an’ dear, An’ churish them ‘at loves you, an’ dry the orphant’s tear,” It shows how we should cherish our loved ones and appreciate what we have. There is orphans out there and we should respect our parents and family members because there are children out there that don’t have them. The poem shows that if someone who is an orphan can have such positive and light in their life then people who aren’t orphans but going through hardship, definitely should. Annie sets an example for all children. 

Although I can’t relate to how Annie grew up, I relate to the importance of kindness and compassion that is shown to Annie throughout the poem. Despite Annie being an orphan, “Little Orphan Annie” highlights the kindness shown to Annie by the narrator’s family. For me I believe in the power of kindness and try to show compassion to others, this poem resonates with me because you never know what someone might be going through. This poem reaffirms my belief in the importance of reaching out to those in need and being a source of light for others. A theme we see in this poem is resilience in adversity. Annie dealt with personal struggles and tough times but her optimistic outlook and ability to find joy despite her harsh circumstances is inspiring. Annie reminds me of the time I dealt with a lot of struggles in my life. I was going through a really hard time and wanted to give up. I prayed a lot during this time and hoped things would get better. Eventually I learned that everything happens for a reason and that everything that happens to us happens for us, and for a reason. Although me and Annie went through different struggles we both took those struggles and turned them into something positive, learning from them and it made us stronger as a person. Annie shows no matter what you go through you will always come out on the other side. I truly believe that although bad things in our lives happen, it’s how we deal with them and how we react to them that predicts our future. Another thing that I relate to through Annie is how she finds joy in small things. For me I always try to see the best in everything, even the small things in life. Annie finds joy in simple pleasures, such as her laughter and singing filling the house with light. Although the situation she was handed wasn’t a positive one she made the best of it. She decided to still be joyful through it all and show positivity through the struggles of being an orphan and living in a house with multiple girls and a mean guardian. Her positive mindset throughout the poem reminds me to cherish my loved ones and all of my experiences throughout life. Life is definitely what you make out of it and how you choose to look at your situation. Although things can definitely get hard in life it’s important to find hope and cherish the little things. There was one time that I was struggling and having a really bad day. Instead of continuing my bad day I decided to go see the sunset. Something as simple as this lightened my day and made it so much better. Although it was a small thing and nothing major it made me feel a lot better and appreciate the life I was given. 

Works Cited 

James Whitcomb Riley’s “Little Orphant Annie https://www.buckeyemuse.com/james-whitcomb-rileys-little-orphant-annie/ Buckeye Muse April 22, 2024 October 02, 2018

PoetAndPoem.Com https://poetandpoem.com/interpretation-little-orphant-annie-james-whitcomb-riley Interpretation of Little Orphant Annie by James Whitcomb Riley- PoetAndPoem.com April 22, 2024

Ambrose Bierce was known for his wit and strong commentary and more importantly his impact on nineteenth century American literature. He ultimately left behind a series of works that ranged from short stories to poetry, such as his work “Decalogue,” a poem known for its satirical examination of the ten moral commandments referred to in the Bible. Each of the ten stanzas of the poem is meant to represent each individual commandment and their significance to the commandments we followed as a society then and we unfortunately still follow now. Bierce challenges these conventional norms by not only providing a satirical examination of the Ten Commandments but also by straying from the common romantic and idealistic themes many writers chose to stick to during this time. 

Bierce presents each commandment in an ironic and almost amused tone to expose the layers of hypocrisy and contradictions that are present in traditional moral principles. He seems to have somewhat of a mocking tone when mentioning each commandment. I think it is important to be able to acknowledge the impracticality and hypocrisy of human behavior. The ‘commandments’ we revolve our lives around are considered divine directives for righteous living however they don’t take into consideration that not all moral dilemmas are straightforward. Life is more than a canvas painted by black and white directives; it consists of a rich tapestry of colors especially including morally grey areas. Through his poem Bierce challenges the idea that the commandments are a blueprint for human living by providing examples that emphasize the messy realities of life. He forces readers to acknowledge that we all think we are living ‘righteously’ until we aren’t; from a first-person perspective, we tend to only acknowledge the faults of others by subjecting them to a list of impractical guidelines that defy human nature itself. As someone who attended a high school with those same commandments plastered on the gym wall, I view the commandments in a similar way to Bierce, I think realistic decision-making necessitates nuanced interpretations of the individual circumstance. The ‘correct’ way to live is unknown, in reality we are all experiencing life for the first time no matter our age, background, gender or sexuality we are all simply doing the best we can to make it through another day. 

At the time Bierce wrote and published this poem many other works consisted of themes of nature, patriotism, and other emotion provoking ideas, Bierce obviously takes a very different approach and engages with moral and ethical themes in a critical manner. Other poems at this time incorporated a melodious tone to their work that merged with the themes of nature while Bierce exhibits a sharp, satirical tone that portrays his critical and almost condescending feelings towards the commandments and society as a whole. Bierce as a writer has a rare willingness to confront societal hypocrisy through his poetry while acknowledging the ethical and moral dilemmas that plague society. His writing style is distinctive for its unconventional approach to a subject matter compared to other poets in the nineteenth century. 

Ambrose Bierce’s “Decalogue” is a stark contrast to other works in the nineteenth century, from his critical examination of morality to his revolutionary critique of societal norms his work marks the beginning of a new outlet for poets and readers to express themselves. This poem was especially significant to me as a reader because I grew up going to a very traditional Christian school that saw the Ten Commandments as law and the only way to live. I began to question the practicality of these rules as I grew up and experienced real life and all its complexities, so seeing a writer take such a respected concept and dissect its practicality was fascinating to read. “Decalogue” opens a door for personal interpretation and exists as a poem that not only slams outdated societal norms but also exists as a work that remains significant in the twenty first century. As societal rules persist in leading towards destruction and unrest, I think it is crucial to acknowledge that although many rules serve vital functions in maintaining order and safety many can be inherently destructive, such as the Ten Commandments as Bierce portrays them. Overall Bierce does a phenomenal job at addressing truths about human nature in a way that validates others while inspiring a sense of empathy and grace in the reader to guide us away from rules that don’t acknowledge the chaotic and unpredictable nature of real-life problems. 

“The Ten Commandments of Ambrose Bierce #3” Peter Paone

Works Cited

Panone, Peter. “Peter Paone, ‘The Ten Commandments of Ambrose Bierce #3’ (1963): Pafa – Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.” PAFA, 28 Dec. 2014, www.pafa.org/museum/collection/item/ten-commandments-ambrose-bierce-3.

by Julie Gomez

Give all to love;
Obey thy heart;
Friends, kindred, days,
Estate, good-fame,
Plans, credit and the Muse,–
Nothing refuse.

‘T is a brave master; 
Let it have scope:
Follow it utterly,
Hope beyond hope:
High and more high
It dives into noon,
With wing unspent,
Untold intent:
But it is a god,
Knows its own path
And the outlets of the sky.

It was never for the mean;
It requireth courage stout.
Souls above doubt,
Valor unbending,
It will reward,–
They shall return
More than they were,
And ever ascending.

Leave all for love;
Yet, hear me, yet,
One word more thy heart behoved,
One pulse more of firm endeavor,–
Keep thee to-day,
To-morrow, forever,
Free as an Arab
Of thy beloved.

Cling with life to the maid;
But when the surprise,
First vague shadow of surmise
Flits across her bosom young,
Of a joy apart from thee,
Free be she, fancy-free;
Nor thou detain her vesture’s hem,
Nor the palest rose she flung
From her summer diadem.

Though thou loved her as thyself,
As a self of purer clay,
Though her parting dims the day,
Stealing grace from all alive;
Heartily know,
When half-gods go,
The gods arrive.

My interpretation:

‘Give All to Love,’ written by Ralph Waldo Emerson and published in 1847, speaks to me in many ways and embodies many thematic and stylistic elements throughout the poem that make me love this poem. If I were to have read this poem just five years ago, I would’ve had completely different feelings and thoughts regarding this poem. Then, I was naive in the ways of romantic relationships and would’ve wholeheartedly disagreed with the last stanza. I would’ve thought, how can I just sit back while the person I love chooses to walk away? How can I let them go? The notion would’ve terrified me, to accept that I could give all my time, affection, and energy to someone with the possibility of them choosing to walk away. But now, after being married for four years, I completely agree with the last stanza. Love is not insecure, or controlling, but rather to love is a freeing experience and will always come with some sort of pain. This last stanza speaks a truth for me; love will leave, but new love will come along.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, c. 1875

The poem as a whole gives me a visceral reaction. Lines like “obey thy heart,” “follow it utterly,” “souls above doubt,” “leave all for love,” and “cling with life to the maid” speak to the intensity that can come with being in love. Younger me would’ve agreed with these lines and in fact, I took action in the past that followed such notions. However, with more life experience in love I would have to disagree with some of these. In my opinion, love in romantic relationships should not always be followed with a blind eye. Love for oneself should come first and choosing the right person to love is essential for one’s self-respect and independence in other areas of life. However, I can agree that to “obey thy heart” and “follow it utterly,” while these can lead to pain, can also offer wisdom and knowledge that would not be acquired otherwise. 

As far as thematic and stylistic elements are concerned, I particularly enjoy how Emerson compares lovers to “half-gods” and “gods.” Because in a way, lovers are just that. Romantic relationships have such profound effects on all aspects of our lives. We make career, financial, social, and educational choices concerning them. They shape who we are. And I appreciate how Emerson referred to lovers who choose to leave as “half-gods” because with their leaving (or vice versa), comes pain and life lessons. They serve a purpose in our lives, but are not the ones we are meant to spend ours with. The real “gods,” the lovers that show us the true meaning of love, offer us patience, understanding, support, and love unwaveringly. They are not meant to come into our lives to leave us. They’re meant to stay. Additionally, “love” as a human experience in the many forms it can inhabit, is itself a “godly” experience.

Arabic Romatic Tradition: ‘Jameel and Bothaina’ initially met at a farm and quarreled because of a camel, but this animosity ended with the highest degree of love. Jameel asked for Bothaina’s hand in marriage, but her father refused. She later married another man and Jameel fled to Yemen. They never ended up together, but their love story is immortalized in Jameel’s poetry.

Lastly, I’d like to bring attention to line thirty-three in stanza 4. It really stood out to me because Emerson chose to compare love as being “Free as an Arab.” I found this reference slightly jarring, but after some digging on Emerson’s techniques I can understand why he made this choice. Emerson studied at Harvard College in Boston, Massachusetts, during which he was not exposed to literary and religious traditions of Asia or the Middle East. He became fascinated with what was exotic and foreign in his field during his time. Operating from a Euro-American worldview, he sometimes made stereotypical and misconceived references in his work. Albeit, this was not intentional per se. I perceive the reference in this stanza was meant to convey that one should give love liberally yet remain autonomous in love, which addresses my concerns above. He asserts that love should be given our utmost effort, but also that we should not lose our individual identities in love. There will come a day in each of our lives where we lose someone we love, but by staying true to ourselves, we will be left more whole than if we didn’t and more prepared for love to re-enter our lives in a truer form because assuredly, it will. 

In addition to writing essays that are directed primarily to your professor (me), I want you to have the opportunity to write for each other, and to practice writing as if your audience were larger and more diverse. So we’re doing two shorter assignments in the form of blog posts, where the form and tone of your writing might be different than it is with an assignment that’s basically “a paper for an English class.”