Analysis Of Stephen Crane's Poem 'A Man Said To The Universe'
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In his short poem, “A Man Said to the Universe”, Stephen Crane uses irony to show that a conflict exists among what a character aims toward and what universal powers support. In this poem, the universe accepts no responsibility to the man’s statement of his own presence. According to Christ Wegelin of the University of Oregon, the poem “derives not alone from the substance of the two statements… but just as much from the carefully distinguished styles and tones of the two speakers” (Explicator 9).
The man shouted to the universe that he exists in order to be recognized, considering to feel that his presence is acknowledged, that his life has a purpose in the “big picture.” The man is showing that the character of life is the need to be widely…show more content… The universe responds that the very fact that the man exists does not produce a way of the universe being compelled to the man. It’s as if the universe is saying that “the world doesn’t revolve around you.” Specifically, the universe knows that the man exists. However, the universe is uninterested in the man’s life. The universe provides the man with what he desires which is the realization of his existence. Nonetheless, the universe primarily states that he notices his existence but he does not care. The universe’s reaction to the man is displaying that the human growth is one in all simplistic to the universe. A person could exist, however he/she is insignificant to the universe. The universe does not need to require notice that one life. It can give or not give out a feeling of responsibility. The man is destined by conception and does not deserve any special treatment from the universe. The man needs to live his life in step with it’s guidelines. Every person is identical in the eyes of the universe. The universe does not have any obligation to the man, yet the very fact that it responds to the man demonstrates a way of…show more content… Once he is openly stating that humans are not designated to something the universe has to offer. Some of the focus of this poem is on the punctuation, especially the exclamation point in “Sir, I exist!”. The man is challenging the universe more than he is speaking with it. But the universe is indifferent when the man makes his statement. His sense of himself and his knowledge is beside the point. Crane conveys his views by giving the man a solution to the question; Will one thing reply? However, the solution to this question isn’t exactly fulfilling. We are nothing to the universe. It is not committed to allowing us to thrive. It isn’t compelled to develop or even defend someone’s existence. But if someone is longing for something in life, that person has to humble his or herself and work for it. People are born with no obligation by the universe whatsoever, but if they demand for something in their lives, they have to seek it out for themselves. Just because someone exists does not mean that the universe owes them something. People aren’t entitled something by the honor of simply