A Man said to the universe allegory
The poem "A Man Said to the Universe," is ultimately an allegory for the fact that the universe is indifferent to the actions and emotions of humanity. In the poem, a man tells the universe that he exists and in response, the universe says that this fact "has not created in me a sense of obligation." As such, we can see this fictional encounter as an allegory for the indifference of nature and the universe towards human affairs.
Allegory motif
Stephen Crane often uses allegories in his poetry, making this a key motif across his works. Many of Crane's poems are written in a short and succinct allegorical form, focusing on one key idea or concept. Ultimately, this makes his poetry easy to understand and read.
War is Kind Allegory
The poem "Do not weep, Maiden, for War is Kind," is an allegory for the absurdity of war. Ultimately, the poem is satirical, maintaining repeatedly that "war is kind," when it is in fact very cruel. Here, Crane is satirizing leaders of the time who maintained that war was the right option, despite the fact it causes tragic consequences for many people.
War motif
War is a key motif in Crane's poetry. In "War is Kind," Crane writes about the terrible consequences of war, on the battlefield and at home. For example, Crane tells us how men "were born to drill and die, the unexplained glory flies above them," suggesting there is no explanation for their deaths. He also refers to the "field where a thousand corpses lie," again referring to the needless loss of life.
Pursuing the Horizon
In "I Saw a Man Pursuing the Horizon," Crane writes about a man who chases the horizon "round and round," to no avail. When the speaker tells him it is "futile" to chase the horizon, the man tells him he is a liar. Overall, this poem is an allegory for people who will not listen to the facts, and continue on with their path, fueled by delusion.
