Man and Woman
by Victor Hugo
Man is the highest of creatures.
The woman is the most sublime of ideals.
God made for man a throne and for the woman an altar.
The throne exalts; the altar sanctifies.Man is the brain; the woman’s heart.
The brain produces light, the heart produces love.
Fruitful light; love resurrects.The man is strong by reason; the woman is invincible by tears.
Reason convinces; tears move.Man is capable of all heroism; woman of all martyrdom.
Heroism ennobles; sublimates martyrdom.
Man holds supremacy.The woman’s preference.
Supremacy is strength, representing the right preference.
The man is a genius; the woman an angel.
Genius is immeasurable; the angel indefinable.The aspiration of man is supreme glory; the aspiration of woman is extreme virtue.
The glory makes everything great; virtue makes everything divine.
Man is a code; a gospel woman.
The code corrects; the gospel perfects.Man thinks; she dreams.
To think is to have a larva in the skull; to dream is to have a halo on one’s forehead.Man is an ocean; the woman a lake.
The ocean contains a pearl; the lake exudes dazzling poetry.Man is the flying eagle; she is the nightingale that sings.
Flying dominates space; singing conquers the soul.The man is a temple; the woman a tabernacle.
Before the temple we discover ourselves; before the tabernacle we kneel.In short: the man is placed where the land ends; the woman where heaven begins.
Summary of “Man and Woman”
- A Timeless Exploration: Victor Hugo’s “Man and Woman” is a profound poetic exploration of the distinct qualities and roles traditionally ascribed to men and women. Written in the 19th century, this piece does not seek to declare one superior to the other, but rather to illuminate the fundamental differences that shape their experiences and contributions to the world.
- Distinct Creations: The poem meticulously draws a contrast between man and woman, portraying man as the embodiment of intellect, strength, and action, while depicting woman as the personification of emotion, intuition, and spiritual grace. Hugo employs vivid imagery and symbolism to emphasize these contrasts, suggesting that each gender is uniquely suited to its respective domain.
- Central Idea: The core message of the poem is that man and woman are not meant to be judged by the same standards, but rather appreciated for their individual strengths and virtues. They complement each other, occupying different spheres of influence—man in the realm of reason and action, woman in the realm of faith and compassion.
In-Depth Analysis of “Man and Woman”
Understanding the Poem’s Structure and Flow
“Man and Woman” unfolds as a series of comparative statements, each highlighting a particular contrast between the two genders. Hugo does not present a narrative or tell a story; instead, he offers a series of insightful observations that build a cumulative effect, emphasizing the poem’s central theme of distinct qualities.
Analyzing Key Literary Devices
Imagery and Symbolism
Hugo masterfully employs imagery and symbolism throughout the poem. The opening lines—“Man is the highest of creatures. The woman is the most sublime of ideals”—evoke power and dominance for man, and ethereal spirituality for woman. This establishes a pattern of associating strength and reason with man, and grace and intuition with woman.
The use of “throne” and “altar” further illustrates this pattern. “God made for man a throne and for the woman an altar” signifies man’s role in leadership and power, while the altar symbolizes woman’s role in reverence and spirituality. These symbols reinforce the poem’s exploration of traditional gender roles.
Metaphor and Analogy
The poem is rich in metaphors and analogies that compare men and women to natural elements and structures. For instance, “Man is the brain; the woman’s heart” links intellect to masculinity and emotion to femininity. This is not presented as limiting but as a fundamental difference in essential nature.
The extended metaphors of the ocean and the lake are particularly striking: “Man is an ocean; the woman a lake.” The ocean represents vastness, power, and exploration, while the lake embodies tranquility, reflection, and beauty. This suggests that man is driven by ambition and outward action, while woman is attuned to inner peace and contemplation.
The Power of Contrast: Examining Specific Lines
The line “Man is strong by reason; the woman is invincible by tears” highlights a fascinating contrast. Reason suggests a logical, analytical approach to problem-solving, while tears evoke empathy and emotional resilience. Hugo demonstrates that they are different expressions of strength.
Consider also the lines “Man thinks; she dreams.” Thinking represents a conscious, deliberate process, while dreaming suggests a more intuitive, subconscious state. This reinforces the idea that men focus on the tangible world, while women are attuned to imagination and spirituality.
Exploring Poetic Devices
Free Verse and Rhythm
“Man and Woman” is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter. This allows Hugo to create a natural, conversational tone, emphasizing the poem’s content over its form. The absence of traditional constraints lets the ideas flow freely, mirroring the exploration of fluid gender roles.
Enjambment and Flow
The use of enjambment—the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next—contributes to the poem’s smooth rhythm. For example: “The brain produces light; the heart produces love. Fruitful light; love resurrects.” This technique creates momentum, drawing the reader forward through the poem’s ideas.
Quotes for Reflection and Discussion
Below are selected lines from “Man and Woman” that serve as starting points for discussions about gender roles, relationships, and the human experience:
“Man is the highest of creatures. The woman is the most sublime of ideals.”
“The ocean contains a pearl; the lake exudes dazzling poetry.”
“In short: the man is placed where the land ends; the woman where heaven begins.”
Ultimately, “Man and Woman” is a timeless exploration of enduring differences and complementary qualities. Through vivid imagery, insightful metaphors, and a thoughtful examination of traditional gender roles, Victor Hugo invites us to appreciate the unique strengths and virtues that each gender brings to the world.