The Word by Pablo Neruda (1954)
The poem explores the search for meaning and identity through language, using a lyrical and symbolic style to convey the speaker's emotional and intellectual journey. The speaker reflects on the power of words to shape reality, seeking a connection between the self and the world.
By Pablo Neruda · First published 1954 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical Literature, Literary Fiction · 442 words
First lines
The word was born in the blood, grew in the dark body, beating, and took flight through the lips and the mouth.
Farther away and nearer still, still it came from dead fathers and from wandering races, from lands which had turned to stone, lands weary of their poor tribes, for when grief took to the roads the people set out and arrived and married new land and water to grow their words again.
What this Textopian page supports
The Word is listed on Textopian as a poem by Pablo Neruda, dated 1954 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Pablo Neruda
- Date: 1954 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical Literature, Literary Fiction, Symbolism, Existentialism
- Length: 442 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Word by Pablo Neruda
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Word?
- How does this poem by Pablo Neruda fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Unknown One by Pablo Neruda
- Repertoire by Pablo Neruda
- I Wish The Woodcutter Would Wake Up by Pablo Neruda
- Sad Song To Bore Everyone by Pablo Neruda
- The Stones And The Birds by Pablo Neruda
- The Sea And The Shells by Pablo Neruda
Genres
- Poetry — The work is characterized by its lyrical and expressive language, typical of poetry, focusing on themes of language, existence, and human experience.
- Philosophical Literature — The text explores deep philosophical themes regarding the nature of words, existence, and the connection between humanity and language.
- Literary Fiction — The narrative style and thematic depth align with literary fiction, emphasizing character introspection and existential themes.
- Symbolism — The use of symbols, such as 'the word' and 'blood', conveys complex ideas and emotions, a hallmark of symbolic literature.
Tags
Poetry · Latin American Literature · Chilean Poetry · Love Poems · Passionate · Romantic · Introspective · Emotional · Personal · Autobiographical · Imagery Rich · Symbolic
More by Pablo Neruda
- Body of a Woman (1959)
- The Light Wraps You (1954)
- Ah Vastness of Pines (1975)
- The Morning Is Full (1954)
- So That You Will Hear Me (1976)
- I Remember You As You Were (1952)
- Leaning Into The Afternoons Leaning into the afternoons I cast my sad nets towards your oceanic eyes (1954)
- White Bee (1974)
- All works by Pablo Neruda