The Man with the Saxophone Analysis - Literary devices and Poetic devices

The Man with the Saxophone

By Ai Ogawa

New York. Five A.M.
The sidewalks empty.
Only the steam line pouring from the manhole covers seems alive,
as I amble from shop window to shop window,
sometimes stopping to stare,
sometimes not.
Last week’s snow is brittle now and unrecognizable as the soft,
white hair that bearded the face of the city

I head farther down Fifth Avenue toward the thirties,
my mind empty like the Buddhists tell you is possible if only you don’t try.
If only I could turn myself into a bird like the shaman I was meant to be,
but I can’t I’m earthbound and solitude is my companion,
the only one you can count on.
Don’t, don’t try to tell me otherwise.
I’ve had it all and lost it and I never want it back,
only give me this morning to keep,
the city asleep, and there on the corner of Thirty-fourth and Fifth,
the man with the saxophone,
his fingerless gloves caked with grime,
his face also,

the layers of clothes welded to his skin.
I set down my case,
he steps backward to let me know I’m welcome,
and we stand a few minutes in the silence so
complete I think I must be somewhere else,
not here, not in this city,
this heartland of pure noise.
Then he puts the sax to his lips again and I raise mine.
I suck the air up from my diaphragm

and bend over into the cold,
golden reed, waiting for the notes to come,
and when they do
for that one moment, I’m the unencumbered bird of my imagination,
rising only to fall back toward concrete,
each note a black flower, opening,
mercifully opening into the unforgiving new day.

Summary of The Man with the Saxophone

Popularity of “The Man with the Saxophone”: Written by Ai Ogawa, a poet known for her unflinching honesty and evocative imagery, “The Man with the Saxophone” is a compelling free verse poem. Originally appearing in her body of work, it gained prominence with its inclusion in her collection, The Collected Poems of Ai. The poem powerfully explores themes of urban solitude, the search for connection, and the transient beauty found in unexpected moments.
“The Man with the Saxophone” as a Representative of Solitude Amid Noise: The poem paints a vivid picture of the speaker wandering the pre-dawn streets of New York City. She observes emptiness, residual cold of winter, and her own internal quietude. This solitude isn’t necessarily loneliness, but a deliberate state of being. The encounter with the saxophone player becomes a pivotal moment and a shared experience that transcends words. They find a fleeting connection through music, a momentary escape from the city’s relentless energy.
Major Themes in “The Man with the Saxophone”: Solitude, the power of music as a universal language, and the complex realities of urban life are central to this poem. The speaker’s acceptance of solitude, rather than resistance to it, is a key element. The saxophone music serves as a vehicle for both individual expression and shared understanding. The poem contrasts the harshness of the city with the fragile beauty of a musical moment, suggesting that even in the most isolating environments, connection and transcendence are possible.

Analysis of Literary Devices Used in The Man with the Saxophone

Ai Ogawa skillfully employs a variety of literary devices to enrich the poem’s meaning and create a powerful emotional impact.

Anaphora: The repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. While not extensive, the repeated use of “sometimes” in the opening lines (“sometimes stopping to stare, sometimes not”) creates a sense of listlessness and the speaker’s detached observation.
Allusion: References to cultural or historical figures or events. The mention of “Buddhists” and “shaman” subtly introduces themes of spirituality and the search for meaning, providing context for the speaker’s internal state.
Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of closely connected words. For example, “sometimes stopping to stare” uses the /s/ sound for a subtle musicality.
Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within closely connected words. The repetition of the short ‘a’ sound in “I’ve had it all and lost it” creates a sense of weariness and resignation.
Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds, but not necessarily at the beginning of words. The repetition of the ‘w’ sound in “as I amble from shop window to shop window” creates a sense of movement and flow.
Imagery: Vivid language that appeals to the senses. The poem is rich in visual imagery, such as “Last week’s snow is brittle now” and “his fingerless gloves caked with grime.” These details create a strong sense of place and atmosphere.
Metaphor: An implied comparison between two unlike things. The description of each note as a “black flower, opening” is a powerful metaphor, suggesting both beauty and a degree of darkness or melancholy.
Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. The city is described as having a “face,” and the snow is likened to “hair,” giving the urban landscape a sense of life and character.
Simile: A direct comparison between two things using “like” or “as.” The speaker’s desire to turn into “a bird like the shaman” is a simile that reveals her longing for freedom and spiritual connection.
Symbolism: The use of objects or ideas to represent something else. The saxophone itself can be seen as a symbol of artistic expression, communication, and the ability to transcend isolation. The “black flower” may symbolize a difficult or painful beauty.

Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in The Man with the Saxophone

While many literary devices overlap with poetic devices, certain techniques are more central to the art of poetry.

Diction: The poet’s choice of words. Ai Ogawa’s diction is often stark and unflinching, lending a raw honesty to the poem. She balances concrete, descriptive language with more abstract and evocative phrasing.
Free Verse: Poetry that does not adhere to a regular rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This poem’s free verse structure allows for a natural, conversational tone and emphasizes the poem’s content over formal constraints.
Stanza Structure: The arrangement of lines into groups. The poem is divided into five stanzas, each varying in length. This variation creates a sense of rhythm and pacing, mirroring the speaker’s wandering thoughts.
Tone: The author’s attitude toward the subject matter. The poem begins with a tone of detached observation and weary resignation. However, as the speaker encounters the saxophone player and begins to play, the tone shifts toward a sense of hopeful transcendence, even if fleeting.

Quotes to be Used

The following lines are particularly powerful and can be used to illustrate the poem’s themes and imagery:

New York. Five A.M.
The sidewalks empty.
Only the steam line pouring from the manhole covers seems alive,
as I amble from shop window to shop window,
sometimes stopping to stare,
sometimes not.

This opening establishes the poem’s setting and mood – a desolate, pre-dawn city. The image of the steam rising from the manholes suggests a fragile, almost ghostly, form of life amidst the urban emptiness.

each note a black flower, opening,
mercifully opening into the unforgiving new day.

This concluding image is particularly striking. The “black flower” suggests a beauty born of hardship, a moment of grace that emerges from the harsh realities of urban life. The word “mercifully” implies a sense of relief and acceptance, as if the music offers a temporary reprieve from the unforgiving new day.