Mid-Range Analysis
Stephen Crane's Grave
Throughout this poem, Stephen Crane depicts a struggle between a moral, virtuous life with the sacrifice required to support it. He conveys this struggle to the reader through a sword metaphor, with the sword representing virtue and morality. However, he also employs a variety of fascinating literary devices such as irony and paradoxes to portray his struggle.
The sword metaphor is the foundation of the entire poem. Crane wonders what his reward would be “supposing” he should “have the courage to let a red sword of virtue plunge into [his] heart” (Lines 103). In this phrase, he ponders whether he should undergo the pain of living a virtuous life, or to let the "sword of virtue" pierce him. He conveys a preexisting sense of reluctance by using the phrase “supposing that I should have the courage” (Line 1). "Supposing" imples a tone of sarcasm and incredulity, as if Crane has rejected the sword of virtue already.
He later wonders if he would be given lavish rewards in return for adopting virtue, such as a “gardened castle” or a “flowery kingdom” (Lines 7-8). Both, he imagines, would be acceptable compensation for his sacrifice. He calls these rewards “offer(s)” (Line 6) for a virtuous life, which brings to mind bribery and corruption. The reader is struck with irony at the juxtaposition of the two seemingly incompatible ideas of virtue and bribery. However, Crane completes the tone of cynicism and sarcasm when he rejects even these offers and gifts, since he believes that there is no reward for virtue and morality. The only reward is hope, something transitory and seemingly without value. He denounces the entire idea of sacrificing time and energy to lead a moral life; there is simply nothing in it for him.
The literary devices used in this poem encompass a wide scope a strange and interesting tools. First, he uses a great paradox in the very first two lines. He hypothetically suggests that he “should have the courage /To let a red sword of virtue/ Plunge into my heart” (Lines 1-3). He suggests that it requires courage to even consider leading a virtuous life. This is very odd, since courage is generally considered to be one of the main virtues. In fact, that entire paradox seems to make the argument that this poem is satire. Instead of rejecting virtue, Crane seems to suggest that some virtue such as courage is inherent in everybody; one does not need to make sacrifices to obtain “virtue.” Perhaps Crane is suggesting that the inherent virtues and morals within every human being need only gentle nurturing, not a painful sacrifice. Second, he switches several words around when he writes, “A gardened castle? /A flowery kingdom?” (Lines 7-8). Normally the phrases would be “a flowery garden” or “a kingdom and castle.” However, Crane highlights the backwardness of the idea that virtue must have some reward attached to it by switching the words around. Now, even the imaginary rewards seem odd and force the reader to reexamine the poem. Lastly, much symbolism is used in comparing virtue to a sharp sword and comparing blood to sin. These symbols help add an extra degree of depth to the poem by giving visual representations to otherwise abstract terms.
-Robert Chun
Picture Source
The sword metaphor is the foundation of the entire poem. Crane wonders what his reward would be “supposing” he should “have the courage to let a red sword of virtue plunge into [his] heart” (Lines 103). In this phrase, he ponders whether he should undergo the pain of living a virtuous life, or to let the "sword of virtue" pierce him. He conveys a preexisting sense of reluctance by using the phrase “supposing that I should have the courage” (Line 1). "Supposing" imples a tone of sarcasm and incredulity, as if Crane has rejected the sword of virtue already.
He later wonders if he would be given lavish rewards in return for adopting virtue, such as a “gardened castle” or a “flowery kingdom” (Lines 7-8). Both, he imagines, would be acceptable compensation for his sacrifice. He calls these rewards “offer(s)” (Line 6) for a virtuous life, which brings to mind bribery and corruption. The reader is struck with irony at the juxtaposition of the two seemingly incompatible ideas of virtue and bribery. However, Crane completes the tone of cynicism and sarcasm when he rejects even these offers and gifts, since he believes that there is no reward for virtue and morality. The only reward is hope, something transitory and seemingly without value. He denounces the entire idea of sacrificing time and energy to lead a moral life; there is simply nothing in it for him.
The literary devices used in this poem encompass a wide scope a strange and interesting tools. First, he uses a great paradox in the very first two lines. He hypothetically suggests that he “should have the courage /To let a red sword of virtue/ Plunge into my heart” (Lines 1-3). He suggests that it requires courage to even consider leading a virtuous life. This is very odd, since courage is generally considered to be one of the main virtues. In fact, that entire paradox seems to make the argument that this poem is satire. Instead of rejecting virtue, Crane seems to suggest that some virtue such as courage is inherent in everybody; one does not need to make sacrifices to obtain “virtue.” Perhaps Crane is suggesting that the inherent virtues and morals within every human being need only gentle nurturing, not a painful sacrifice. Second, he switches several words around when he writes, “A gardened castle? /A flowery kingdom?” (Lines 7-8). Normally the phrases would be “a flowery garden” or “a kingdom and castle.” However, Crane highlights the backwardness of the idea that virtue must have some reward attached to it by switching the words around. Now, even the imaginary rewards seem odd and force the reader to reexamine the poem. Lastly, much symbolism is used in comparing virtue to a sharp sword and comparing blood to sin. These symbols help add an extra degree of depth to the poem by giving visual representations to otherwise abstract terms.
-Robert Chun
Picture Source
