Wilderness
There is a wolf in me, a fox in me, a hog in me, a fish in me, a baboon in me, an eagle in me, and a mockingbird in me.
I got a zoo, I got a menagerie, inside my ribs, under my head, under my heart, and I got something else: a man‑child heart, a woman‑child heart, a father and mother and lover. I came from the wilderness and I am the keeper of the zoo.
Summary
Carl Sandburg’s Wilderness is a captivating exploration of the untamed forces that reside within the human psyche. Published in his influential 1916 collection Chicago Poems, the poem vividly portrays the self as a “zoo” or “menagerie,” inhabited by a diverse collection of animals—wolf, fox, hog, fish, baboon, eagle, and mockingbird. These creatures aren’t simply symbolic representations; they are the speaker, embodying the instincts, desires, and ancestral connections that shape human behavior. The poem suggests that we are not solely defined by our civilized exteriors, but are inextricably linked to the natural world and our own inherent wildness. The recurring phrase “I got this…from the wilderness” emphasizes that this primal core isn’t something we acquire, but something we are, inherited from our evolutionary past and enduring despite societal constraints.
At its heart, Wilderness acknowledges and embraces the complex and sometimes contradictory aspects of human nature. It is a powerful declaration that the civilized self coexists with, and is fundamentally rooted in, the raw, untamed forces of the wilderness, both within and outside of us. The poem challenges us to recognize and accept the “wildness” within, recognizing it as an essential and inseparable part of our being.
A noteworthy element of the poem is its intensely imagistic quality. Sandburg masterfully employs vivid, visceral imagery to create a deeply felt sense of each animal’s characteristics, making the poem accessible and memorable. It is not simply what animals reside within, but how they are experienced, through smell, taste, sight, and instinct, that truly captivates the reader.
In-Depth Analysis of Poetic Techniques
Imagery and Sensory Detail
Sandburg’s poem is a feast for the senses. He doesn’t just tell us about the animals; he shows us, creating a visceral experience for the reader. Consider the opening lines, describing the wolf: “fangs pointed for tearing gashes… a red tongue for raw meat… and the hot lapping of blood.” This isn’t a gentle, romantic portrayal of nature. It is raw, primal, and intensely physical. The words evoke a feeling of danger and untamed power. Similarly, the description of the fish—“I scurried with shoals of herring… I blew waterspouts with porpoises”—evokes the coolness and vastness of the ocean. These sensory details create a powerful sense of immersion, allowing the reader to experience the wilderness within the speaker’s being.
Metaphor and Symbolism
The central metaphor of the poem—the speaker as a “zoo” or “menagerie”—is profoundly effective. It suggests that the human self is not a unified whole, but a collection of competing instincts and desires. Each animal represents a different facet of the speaker’s personality. The wolf embodies predatory aggression, the fox cunning and resourcefulness, the hog simple gratification, and so on. The eagle and mockingbird symbolize aspiration and creativity. By presenting these different “animals” within the self, Sandburg suggests that human nature is inherently complex and contradictory.
The “wilderness” itself functions as a powerful symbol. It represents the untamed, primal forces that lie beneath the surface of civilization. It is the source of our instincts, our desires, and our connection to the natural world. The repeated phrase “I got this…from the wilderness” emphasizes that these primal forces are not something we acquire, but something we are—an inherent part of our being.
Repetition and Parallel Structure
Sandburg uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. The recurring phrase “I got this…from the wilderness” acts as a refrain, reinforcing the central idea of the poem. This repetition also creates a sense of inevitability, suggesting that the wilderness is an inescapable part of our nature. Similarly, the parallel structure of the lines describing each animal—“There is a [animal] in me…”—creates a sense of balance and harmony. This structure also emphasizes the diversity of the forces that reside within the speaker.
Allusion and Historical Context
The line “before Noah… before the first chapter of Genesis” is a significant allusion to the biblical story of the flood. This allusion suggests that the wilderness is older than civilization itself, that it predates even the creation of humankind. It also implies that the primal forces represented by the animals within the speaker are deeply rooted in our evolutionary past. By referencing the story of Noah, Sandburg connects the wilderness to the very origins of life on earth.
Exploring Poetic Devices in Detail
Assonance and Consonance
While not overwhelmingly present, Sandburg subtly employs assonance and consonance to enhance the musicality of the poem. Notice the repetition of the short “i” sound in “in” and “it” throughout the poem, creating a sense of intimacy. Similarly, the repetition of the “s” sound in words like “snout,” “satisfied,” and “sun” creates a smooth, flowing rhythm. These subtle effects contribute to the poem’s overall aesthetic appeal.
Alliteration
Alliteration, the repetition of initial consonant sounds, appears sparingly but effectively. For example, the phrase “silver gray fox” uses alliteration to emphasize the fox’s sleekness and cunning. While not a dominant feature of the poem, alliteration adds to its overall sonic texture.
Personification
Sandburg occasionally employs personification, attributing human qualities to the animals. While the animals aren’t directly given human speech or actions, the very act of describing them as inhabiting the speaker’s inner landscape implies a degree of personification. The animals become symbolic representations of human traits and desires.
Conclusion
“Wilderness” is a powerful and enduring poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its exploration of the complex and contradictory forces that reside within the human psyche is both timeless and universal. By embracing the “wildness” within, Sandburg invites us to reconnect with our primal roots and to accept the full spectrum of our being. Through its vivid imagery, symbolic depth, and masterful use of poetic techniques, Wilderness remains a captivating exploration of the untamed heart of humanity.