Crane, Stephen. "A man said to the universe".
Summary
- a man announces to the universe: "Sir, I exist!"
- the universe gives an indifferent answer suggesting that the fact of a human existing means nothing to the universe: "However, [...] / The fact has not created in me / A sense of obligation."
Analysis
- brief, prosaic
- cosmic irony
- man is not the highest authority in the universe
- considering the whole of the universe, the existence of mankind means nothing
Basics
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Author
Crane, Stephen. (1871 - 1900). -
Full Title
Untitled, the first line is used for identification. -
Form
Poem.
Works Cited
Crane, Stephen. "A man said to the universe". In: The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Nina Baym et al. NY: Norton, 1989.