Influences on Early 20th Century Poetry

By Erin Benedict

“Languages” by Carl SandburgThere are no handles upon a language Whereby men take hold of it And mark it with signs for its remembrance. It is a river, this language, Once in a thousand years Breaking a new course Changing its way to the ocean. It is mountain effluvia Moving to valleys And from nation to nation Crossing borders and mixing.

Languages die like rivers. Words wrapped round your tongue today And broken to shape of thought Between your teeth and lips speaking Now and today Shall be faded hieroglyphics Ten thousand years from now. Sing—and singing—remember Your song dies and changes And is not here to-morrow Any more than the wind Blowing ten thousand years ago.

Analysis

The poem, “Languages,” by Carl Sandburg describes the tendency of language and culture to change over time. Sandburg illustrates the changing nature of a language by comparing it to a river, which occasionally alters its course. As expressed by the poem, Languages also spread from place to place due to travel and immigration by “crossing boarders and mixing.” Finally, Sandburg mentions how “languages die like rivers,” referring ancient languages that are no longer commonly spoken. The poem illustrates how language and culture gradually change.

Influences

“Languages,” published in 1916, was likely influenced by the massive immigration wave that occurred during this time period. From 1880 to 1920, twenty million people immigrated to the United States. The immigrants mainly originated from Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe including four million Italians and two million Jews. Carl Sandburg likely gained insight about culture and language for his poem from this immigration. Particularly, he observed how foreign culture and language mix with American culture and language. While immigrants had to adapt to their new country, they also retained their languages, religion, and culture, which greatly influenced American life as well. Carl Sandburg noticed how immigration can cause distant cultures to blend. Carl Sandburg likely took inspiration from the immigration wave for his poem, “Languages.”

“Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy EveningWhose woods these are I think I know.His house is in the village though;He will not see me stopping hereTo watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queerTo stop without a farmhouse nearBetween the woods and frozen lakeThe darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shakeTo ask if there is some mistake.The only other sound's the sweepOf easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep.But I have promises to keep,And miles to go before I sleep,And miles to go before I sleep.

Analysis

The poem, “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” by Robert Frost illustrates a contrast between the peace of nature and the busyness of life. He describes taking a break from his daily life and observes the snowfall in the woods. Frost clearly views the snowfall as a pleasant experience, for he mentions that the wind is “easy,” and the flakes are “downy.” Frost then recalls his obligations in life by stating that he has “promises to keep” and “miles to go” before he sleeps. He is referring to the duties that he must fulfill in life and realizes that he must venture back into the civilized world. “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” contrasts the pleasantness of nature with the obligations of daily life.

Influences

In his 1923 poem, “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” Robert Frost contrasts the peacefulness of nature with the obligations of daily life. Frost was likely inspired by certain events during this time period that made life much more demanding, hectic, and fast-paced. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, industries grew extremely quickly. Numerous companies consolidated into big corporations. Large factories replaced workshops, so laborers often worked in these factories instead of in small, independent businesses or farms. Improving machinery and technology lead to efficient factory production. This surge in industry resulted in urban growth. There were three American cities with over one million inhabitants in 1900, and the total urban population expanded to forty-two million in 1910. Numerous events led to a more demanding, hectic, and fast-paced life and may have inspired the poem, “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost.

Sources

Historical References:• "History, Industrialization and Urbanization."

Industrialization and Urbanization. Countries Quest, n.d. Web. 19 June 2015.

• "U.S. Immigration Before 1965." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 19 June 2015.

Pictures:• Google Images