A man said to the universe:
“Sir I exist!”
“However,” replied the universe,
“The fact has not created in me
A sense of obligation.”

Analysis, meaning and summary of Stephen Crane's poem A man said to the universe:

32 Comments

  1. Shay Te says:

    @ Bweos Slnng from Antigua and Barbuda:

    “Men shouldn’t talk to the universe. That’s for women. ”
    –What do you mean by this remark?

  2. Jon Nissen says:

    I just had to comment on the atrocious speling of (nearly) all posters… I just couldn’t take you seriously.

  3. zach says:

    FREE WILL. That’s all it is, we have a choice in everything we do. We are not obliged to do anything not even celebrate life or the universe from whence we came. For good or bad, we make our own path in life.

  4. Callum says:

    Answer me now lord for
    Man is worth much more;
    I Eat, I Sleep, I Prey for YOU.
    We are here, listen to Our cries!-
    The Universe sleep…

    what do you guys think??

  5. Thomas Beckett says:

    A Man, with great tenacity, gave chase,
    Pleading his question: “Sir, I must ask:
    How might I perceive you, wholly?”
    The Universe, in no grave humor,
    Countered, “You may certainly try.”

  6. charlie says:

    not only is this poem proving existenilism as we are responsable for ourselfs it also disagrees with darwin who was around at the time. the use of determiners is very clever because A refurind to the man is indifinate the refuring to the universe is difibate making it more imporatnt,

  7. Saris says:

    There is alot written here about man’s insignificance. So thats all true, but did you notice the universe took notice of him. So the universe feels no obligation towards the man, but the universe turned around for whatever reason and said something. So maybe man is worthless, but you cant ignore him.

  8. Nick S. says:

    “Consequently,” responded the man,
    “Since you are not bound by morals or reason, neither shall I be.”

  9. Alesha says:

    This is such a genius poem.It ties with the truths of man’s being and sense of presece in the universe. However, man has no sense of obligation unless he can decide to have god as his existence or not!

  10. Sarah says:

    The way that I see this poem is that Crane is only pointing out the fact that just because you exist does not mean that you are significant. Everyone and everything makes up the universe and not one person is going to be looked upon any different than the next person.

  11. Greg Nelson says:

    The perfect poetic expression of the existentialist view of the human condition. Chilling, yet real, with a touch of humor.

  12. Lucie Guo says:

    Actually, I believe that it could be seen that the Universe does represent a deity — but that the “creator” does not hold an obligation to man merely because man exists. The universe — including the creator and all of creation — is not obligated to bring meaning and purpose into man’s life.

    And no, I do not agree that this poem has a harsh reality to it. It may be reality, but I believe that it is a rather invigorating reality. We do not have to depend on ethereal things to bring us meaning into our lives. We can BRING purpose into our own lives through the goals we create for ourselves. I find that prospect rather exciting.

  13. Keron King says:

    This poem to me exemplifies the reality that man without God is insiginificant and as a result Crane pens that the Universe sees no obligation to man simply because he exists. Hence our sigificance could never be found in the creation but in the Creator

  14. leo says:

    the man said:’i exist!but the fact has not created in me a sense of obligation.”i think the man is refer to the soldier,he want to take part to the war,or he is looking for something else.

  15. oila says:

    Does it not make you feel a little vulnerable, as though there is noone to look out for you, you’re all alone and there’s noone to fall back on?

  16. Robert says:

    I like this poem it has a harsh reality to it.

  17. Bweos Slnng says:

    Men shouldn’t talk to the universe. That’s for women.

  18. Jamie Trinh says:

    Short. Simple and Profound.

  19. mike kennedy says:

    this poem is so incredible i dont know what to do with myself…

  20. JAMES MCKAY says:

    “No sir,” said the man, “There is a universe in every grain of sand… so am I in the universe.”

    • Actually as a human nature we keep urging for approvals no matter large or less…we keep asking people how does we look ,whether it is right to do such things or not etc etc…here too the man (mankind) is asking to universe (society n everyone) that ..do I exist( done any recognizable stuff or people know me) ..to that universe replies that it’s not in my hand whether you’ll be recognized or not( the fact has not created IN ME)… it’s all depends on you whatever you’ll sow you’ll reap…

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