Read the poem by Robert Burns, "A Man's A Man for A' That".
What's the poems central message? How do you know?
Consider diction, theme, and didactic...
Also, why do you think that it's another one of Burns' poems, that I'm sure no body knows the lyrics to, that is sung the world over at New Years?
In Peace,
Whyte
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Robert Burns's "A Man's A Man for A' That" is his song to the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity. It shows that man and his character are the things that matter, and not what his station in life is. Although democracy is often taken for granted, it will win through in the end. This poem is the first principle of social justice; the most idealistic. statement on how we should live our lives. Burns also emphasizes that honesty and dignity are priceless virtues not imparted by rank or birth or privilege; they are an essential and integral part of the soul.
Burns uses uncommon English due to his Irish background. He uses many apostrophes such as "A'" for "all" and "fa'" for "far". This language seems uneducated which reasserts burns's point that a man does not need a high education to become a gentleman of morals and virtues.
Manuel Fernandez
Mr. Whyte
AP English & Composition
19 December 2008
Equalitarian
The poem “A Man’s a Man for a’ that” by Robert Burns emphasizes the idea of an equalitarian government. This is seen through the way that Burns talks about a poor man being equally as great at the richest person. This poem shows how equalitarianism can be very equal for everyone, because the richest and the poorest can be equally as great. At the end of the poem, Burns writes, “shall brothers be for a’ that” (40); this is to emphasize that everyone should unite and be one.
The continuous emphasis of all men being equal shows that a world where everyone works together functions well. This is because everyone is equal, maybe not in money, but in power everyone is the same.
Burns also mentions how money is just paper that distinguishes everyone. The paper, being the money, is just material that not everyone can have. This paper is just something that people have to believe that they have power, but the person with the least paper, money, is equally as strong as the person with the most paper, money.
The poem's cebtral message is that wealth is not a man's true worth, but rather, honesty, simplicity, and the ability to think for oneself. Burns states and talks about the idea that the way in which society ranks is worthless and not the true values of an individual. He states that a rank is but "a guinea's stamp" which means that its worthless and in some way unnecessary. Burns also states that what you do , what you wear, or who you are does not matter, but it is the honesty within oneself that makes a person worthy. We may live in simplicity, but thats the true beauty of life. There is beauty in simplicity and that is the true worth in a person's life. High rankings are but worthless. A man who can think for himself is worth much more. Burns even calls a Lord an idiot when he states that even if many hold him to some type of higher being "he's but a coof". Lords and kings can state and consider themselves to be higher than anyone else, but they cannot state who a person is or how much they are worth. It is within a person top decide such worth. At the end of the poem, Burns makes a prayer of hope that one day sense and worth come together. His complexity in his choice of diction portrays that it is difficult for society to comprehend the idea that Lords and kings do not rank others. Society has always lived in this mentality, and thus, it will be difficult to move out of such an idea.
Burns's diction has a Scottish dialect. His accent shows that he is not in the higher class and speaks for the lower classes. Burns says that not all rich and "higher" men are honest and better men. Personality is a quality that is better than any status or possessions can show. A good, honest personality is what counts in a person, no matter how poor they are. Poor men can have hearts of gold and even as great as dukes and kings. Maybe even higher than that. They are the freest men who can live an honest life as a honest human being. This shows that equality can be evident between classes. One day there will be real equality between the classes and all become honest men.
The diction that Burns' uses has a Ayrshire dialect. At first, the words take a little while to figure out, but the end result is truly excellent The sentiments expressed are universal. He clearly states that social class is not the measure of a man's true worth, but rather, the man's character is the true gold or worth. The first verse concisely illustrates this. The central theme is a man's inside is what counts rather than the outside which is perceived by others. In verse four, Burns states that honesty and pure goodness are worth much more than titles handed out by princes. This continues the idea of self respect is not gained from inherited status or wealth. In the end of the poem, there is hope; Burns directly states that "it's coming, for a' that" which ensures that we live in hope. Burn's poem is a masterpiece because it is universally understandable. In modern life, the idea of social class still exists: famous celebrities and those born from royal blood. Interestingly, During New Years, the song is sung over the world. It is sung because since New Years is a expression of hope of a new year, people try to become better or improve themselves through a New Years resolution. Burns' poem provides warm hope for as people will live together as brothers and sisters in mutual trust and respect in the end.
"The rank is but the guinea's stamp" (7) is Burns' argument throughout the poem. In his poem he is arguing that ranks are meaningless and all humanity is equal. He goes on to say that the good qualities in people such as honesty surpass rank and ascend to something greater. With his poem he is attempting to unite humanity and generate equality for all mankind. This poem is sung world wide at new years due to its universal theme of peace through unity. This universal theme is also the method by which this piece of art is canonized allowing it to survive over the years.
In Verse One, Burns is saying that wealth, or lack of it,and social class should not be the measure of a man's true worth. " The rank is but the guinea's stamp" means that a person cannot be given a price. The man's character is the true gold.
Verse Two continues the theme. We may wear ordinary clothes, and eat simple food, but appearance is just a show, like tinsel. Honesty is worth more than fancy clothes.
Now Verse Three might have got Burns into some trouble in Edinburgh. The birkie (cool young guy) who struts around, and has the title of Lord, is only a coof (an idiot). The man who learns to think for himself is worth much more than that.
Verse Four continues this theme. Princes can hand out titles at will, but honesty and pure goodness are worth much more. Self respect doesn't come from inherited wealth or titles.
Verse Five is a prayer that Sense and Worth shall eventually agree with all mankind. Burns imagines a future world in which all people will live as brothers, in mutual trust and respect. "It's coming yet, for a' that". Well, it hasn't come yet Rabbie, but we live in hope.
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