A Man Said to the Universe
Stephen Crane (1871-1900)
A man said to the universe,
“Sir, I exist!”
“However,” replied the universe,
“The fact has not created in me
A sense of obligation.”
1. Getting at Meaning: In this poem, “A Man Said to the Universe,” the speaker proclaims that he
exists. What does this statement imply about the nature of human life? What does the response
of the universe imply about the human condition?
2. Structure: “A Man Said to the Universe” is set up as a short conversation. Why is the answer of
the universe so much longer than the man’s opening declaration? What attitude does the
exclamation point indicate? What attitude does the word however suggest?
3. Irony: Comment on the irony inherent in the universe’s response to the man.
4. Theme: Crane never swerves from his basic realism. He even moves beyond realism into
naturalism, a philosophy that sees the human being as a tiny, physical being, essentially
powerless, in an enormous, apathetic universe. In naturalism, nature is neutral, running its own
course with complete indifference to human life. Explain how this philosophy is embodied in “A
Man Said to the Universe.”
5. Figurative Language: Find some Crane’s figure/s of speech.