Once there was a man - A poem by Stephen Crane


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Stephen Crane - Once there was a man

Once there was a man --
Oh, so wise!
In all drink
He detected the bitter,
And in all touch
He found the sting.
At last he cried thus:
"There is nothing --
No life,
No joy,
No pain --
There is nothing save opinion,
And opinion be damned."

Added: on August 25th, 2005 at 3:40 AM | Viewed: 4666 times | Comments and analysis of Once there was a man by Stephen Crane Comments (2)

Once there was a man - Comments and Information
Poet: Stephen Crane Poem: 48. Once there was a man Volume: The Black Riders & Other Lines Year: Published/Written in 1905 Comment 2 of 2, added on January 16th, 2007 at 10:35 AM. I think Crane is adopting an incredibly pessimistic view of life in this poem; that there is no good, beauty, etc. It reminds of Wlliam Hazlitt's On the Pleasure of Hating. Joshua from Canada Comment 1 of 2, added on August 25th, 2005 at 3:40 AM. what a clever poetical way of asking whether (for you/me) "is the glass 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?" - we have nothing but our opinions but THAT is what makes the difference to our lives; the 'wise' man was technically speaking, correct though! Correct but not right!! Nimal from Australia More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Once there was a man, has received 2 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Stephen Crane with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Stephen Crane Poem: 48. Once there was a man Volume: The Black Riders & Other Lines Year: Published/Written in 1905 Last read: Jul 24 2008, 3:35PM Viewed 4666 times. Added on August 25th, 2005 at 3:40 AM.

Crane Info
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