Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

A CROWDED TROLLEY CAR, by ELINOR WYLIE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography

"A Crowded Trolley Car" is a poem by American poet Elinor Wylie, first published in 1920. Wylie was a prominent poet of the early 20th century and her works often explored themes of love, loss, and the struggles of modern life.

Explanation:

The poem begins by describing a crowded trolley car in which the speaker is trapped, surrounded by strangers. Despite being physically close to others, the speaker feels a sense of isolation and loneliness. The speaker observes the people around them and imagines their individual struggles and worries, such as a young woman with a sick child or an elderly man with failing health. However, despite these struggles, the people on the trolley car all share the common experience of being trapped together in this small space, and the speaker longs for a connection with them.

As the trolley car continues on its journey, the speaker's thoughts turn to larger issues of human suffering and the transient nature of life. The speaker imagines the passengers as part of a larger crowd of humanity, all struggling to survive and find meaning in a world that is often harsh and unforgiving. Despite these struggles, the speaker concludes that there is still beauty and hope to be found in the world, if only we can learn to see it.

Poetic Elements:

Form: Free verse with irregular line lengths and no set rhyme scheme.
Imagery: Wylie uses vivid sensory imagery to create a sense of the crowded trolley car and the people within it.
Symbolism: The trolley car and its passengers symbolize the struggles of modern life and the human condition more broadly.
Tone: The tone of the poem is contemplative and melancholic, reflecting the speaker's sense of isolation and the struggles of the people around them.

Conclusion:

"A Crowded Trolley Car" is a poignant meditation on the struggles of modern life and the human condition. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative tone, Wylie explores themes of isolation, connection, and the search for meaning in a world that can often be difficult and unforgiving. Despite the difficulties of the world, however, the poem ultimately suggests that there is still beauty and hope to be found in the human experience.

Poem Snippet:

"The car went jolting on and on,

And as it jolted I was gone

Out of myself and out of sight,

And only saw the world outright."