Arlo Will by Edgar Lee Masters
The work presents a reflective monologue that explores themes of existence, perception, and the journey of the soul. The speaker contemplates the nature of awakening and enlightenment, using vivid imagery to evoke sensations and experiences that transcend the mundane. The alligator rising from the mud symbolizes a struggle for awareness and the confrontation of primal instincts. The stabled horses reacting to a lantern represent fear of the unknown and the instinctual responses to light and darkness. The unknown door signifies opportunities and the potential for transformation, while the light of a thousand candles suggests enlightenment and the beauty of discovery. The speaker invites the reader to consider their own experiences of awakening, urging them to embrace the journey through life’s challenges and uncertainties. The references to walking with the wind and sunlight highlight the interplay between nature and the human spirit, suggesting that true understanding comes from engaging with the world around us. Ultimately, the work emphasizes the strength of the soul and the pursuit of higher truths, encouraging a journey through both earthly experiences and spiritual realms. The final flame symbolizes ultimate realization and the culmination of the soul's journey, suggesting that through perseverance and exploration, one can achieve profound enlightenment.
By Edgar Lee Masters · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Symbolism · 194 words
First lines
Did you ever see an alligator Come up to the air from the mud, Staring blindly under the full glare of noon?
Have you seen the stabled horses at night Tremble and start back at the sight of a lantern?
Have you ever walked in darkness When an unknown door was open before you And you stood, it seemed, in the light of a thousand candles Of delicate wax?
Have you walked with the wind in your ears And the sunlight about you And found it suddenly shine with an inner splendor?
What this Textopian page supports
Arlo Will is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edgar Lee Masters, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edgar Lee Masters
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Symbolism, Modernist, Nature
- Length: 194 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and imagery to convey emotions and themes.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential questions and the nature of existence, reflecting on life and the human experience.
- Symbolism — The use of symbols, such as the alligator and light, conveys deeper meanings and abstract concepts.
- Modernist — The style reflects modernist characteristics, including a focus on individual perception and fragmented imagery.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · Free Verse · Symbolism · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Midwestern Setting · Rural Life · Family Dynamics · Mortality · Existential Crisis · Philosophical Themes