by Barcaluv on March 12th, 2007

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What do you think Rodin's "The Thinker" is thinking about?

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Answers. 28 helpful answers below.

by Simply msFortunate on March 12th, 2007
He's not thinking; he's constipated.
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- That was my thought, too.
  
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  by Jade on May 1st, 2007
- yeah my mind was there too!
  
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  by Nellie Wise Gamgee on May 1st, 2007
- Funny!! I should have not ate all that cheese.
  
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  by HappyGoLucky on March 18th, 2008
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by jin jang on March 12th, 2007
Who took my clothes while I was in the shower.
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- lol!! I like that one:)
  
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  by HappyGoLucky on March 18th, 2008
- Thanks :)
  
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  by jin jang on March 18th, 2008
- Yourwelcome:) It is fun to look at things in diffrent persecptions of the same focus, it just makes us think.
  
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  by HappyGoLucky on March 18th, 2008
- Very true :)
  
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  by jin jang on March 18th, 2008
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by unknown on May 1st, 2007
He's thinking, "Why the heck didn't this guy sculpt me some frickin clothes. It gets down right chilly sometimes."
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- :)
  
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  by Barcaluv on May 1st, 2007
- :-)$
  
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  by unknown on May 1st, 2007
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by sutspeare on March 12th, 2007
It is actually supposed to be the Italian author Dante thinking about The Inferno.
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- See, I did not know that. Thanks!
  
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  by Barcaluv on March 12th, 2007
- they do say there's no such thing as a stupid question!
  
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  by Anonymous on June 29th, 2007
- Yes. : )
  
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  by Barcaluv on June 29th, 2007
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by wobalome on March 12th, 2007
I hope he doesn't make my bum look big
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- He'd only think that if he were a woman. He's thinking, "I hope he makes my willy look big." lol
  
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  by unknown on May 1st, 2007
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by Jane on March 6th, 2009
That just doesnt make any sense...everyone seemed to LOVE Norman Gentle but he didnt make it to the final round on American Idol...he was so entertaining. I'm so confused, we all voted for him...I even voted twice.
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- maybe i'm projecting
  
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  by Jane on March 6th, 2009
- lol, no worries. :)
  
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  by Shavale is very happy on March 6th, 2009
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by POLICE...IN HOT PURSUIT on March 6th, 2009
"I don't get it...I put the lime in the coconut, but nothing happened....maybe I am missing something..."
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- Heh heh, classic.
  
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  by Shavale is very happy on March 6th, 2009
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by Brian I on May 15th, 2008
"I wonder if somebody will ever ask what I am thinking?"
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- Hey Brian l..I missed you back in May..lol..that's a great answer!:)
  
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  by LoggyBren on October 21st, 2008
- People often miss me - I'm so quiet and unobtrusive that they don't even notice me. ;-)
  
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  by Brian I on October 21st, 2008
- ..:):)
  
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  by LoggyBren on October 21st, 2008
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by natzter the bionic has a broken hand on May 2nd, 2007
I think he's thinking about how long its gonna take for Rodin to finish carving him out! I love this statue... arguably one of the greatest works of art ever made.
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by Anonymous on May 2nd, 2007
Why the heck he cannot move!
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by Ed the Jetpacking Headbanger on May 2nd, 2007
How do I walk or run home without exposing my privates.
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- Funny!!
  
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  by HappyGoLucky on March 18th, 2008
- I think I am most days:-)
  
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  by Ed the Jetpacking Headbanger on March 18th, 2008
- You are mostly streeking, that has to be very intresting when it is cold out side,lol!!
  
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  by HappyGoLucky on March 18th, 2008
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by Gideon on May 1st, 2007
Here's what Rodin himself wrote about his intention, taken from artcycolpedia.com:

"The Thinker has a story. In the days long gone by I conceived the idea of the Gates of Hell. Before the door, seated on the rock, Dante thinking of the plan of the poem behind him... all the characters from the Divine Comedy. This project was not realized. Thin ascetic Dante in his straight robe separated from all the rest would have been without meaning. Guided by my first inspiration I conceived another thinker, a naked man, seated on a rock, his fist against his teeth, he dreams. The fertile thought slowly elaborates itself within his brain. He is no longer a dreamer, he is a creator.
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by Carmella on May 1st, 2007
I think he's thinking about how to pay Stableboy back for sacriliging his pose.
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by anonymous on March 12th, 2007
I think he's deciding what to order from the Chinese.
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by CoachMJ on March 12th, 2007
Probably about how hard the seat is!
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by Ironhead on March 6th, 2009
Wow, I wish I would have not eaten that Habanero last night.
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by AntigoneRising on March 6th, 2009
WTF?

(Yes, I'm saying that's what he's thinking.)
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by Perryman on March 6th, 2009
Should I sell that G.M. stock now, or should I hold it?
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by Buffalo Boy on October 11th, 2008
What will we do if Obama gets elected
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- It will then be called the house of color
  
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  by koldkanuck on October 11th, 2008
- Thanks Buffalo Boy.
  
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  by LoggyBren on October 11th, 2008
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by koldkanuck on October 11th, 2008
The world's longest dump, since 1902
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- Well, there could be some truth there..he is sitting in that position..lol! Thanks koldkanuck!:)
  
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  by LoggyBren on October 21st, 2008
- thanx
  
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  by koldkanuck on October 21st, 2008
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by Ann on a Moose on October 11th, 2008
"Is this pose macho enough?"
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- Good one Ann on a Moose!! Thanks!:)
  
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  by LoggyBren on October 21st, 2008
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by debtahals wears a curiosity COAT on October 11th, 2008
(Long answer)
I don't know. But I'd be willing to bet that Rodin would be very pleased to know we are still looking at his work and asking that question!

Beyond that, I wonder what Rodin, himself, had in mind by creating that sculpture! Why? Did he have hopes that we human beings would pause and do as The Thinker is doing .. and THINK? Could take that on all sorts of levels.

Sculpture and paintings and well, any "art" created by man or woman does many things for us .. The Thinker included:

1) We stop our everyday life even if just for the number of minutes we spend to LOOK at someone's creative work. In those moments, a work does or doesn't speak us. We are enriched or changed right there on the spot to whatever degree we are "open" to that "communication" btw the artist's soul and our own.

2) This sculpture in particular? It's always seemed universal to me. Not "a" man but a human form representative of "all" human beings .. men, women and children. We have brains and the ability to think. It is one part of our humanity distinguishing us from other mammals. Thus, the art shows us what "our race" is capable of .. should we choose.

3) Finally, I have no idea if Rodin intended this or if it's just how I interpret it for me ... (which is ok with art - art as "spark" not final answer!) ... but I see The Thinker as a gentle reminder to include CONTEMPLATION as a part of our everyday life. In fact, a reminder that without that, we human beings simply toss about in current streams of being .. but take no role in our direction. And so .. we have to choose to stop .. arise out of the rolling waters .. come to a rock or cliff .. and THINK. Take responsibility for our lives and choices. THEN get back in the water ..

(Smiling)

Thank you for your question. Found it interesting! :)
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- WOW!! That's one great answer. I found your answer by accident going through Q&A..I didn't get a notice...thanks so much!:)
  
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  by LoggyBren on October 21st, 2008
- You're welcome. Wrote this the same day I did that other long, philosophical answer on one of your older questions. (Something in the air that day? lol)
  You and I had also been talking about ques and answers. Decided I needed to create the AB habit of going in and answering old ques .. and checking old ans .. working on friend's archives.
  So? In my tiny little way, I've made a start on that here and there. :)
  You write interesting questions, so thanks for THAT too! Hope you're doing well this fine October day. :)
  
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  by debtahals wears a curiosity COAT on October 21st, 2008
- PS - I've always loved this sculpture - that's another reason your question jumped out at me. :)
  
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  by debtahals wears a curiosity COAT on October 21st, 2008
- Thanks debtahals and I'm doing well!:)
  
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  by LoggyBren on October 22nd, 2008
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by designer is wearing a ....... on March 6th, 2009
Whether or not he and the "Burghers" should pass through the "Gates of Hell"
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by Ryan Smith on March 6th, 2009
Why am I just sitting here and thinking?
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by JuJubee is wearing a COAT of chocolate on March 6th, 2009
"Here I sit broken hearted, tried to shit but only farted!"
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by Sid on March 6th, 2009
Did I leave the iron on?
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by koldkanuck on December 17th, 2010
I think he walked through winnipeg square once
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wathdxj_dJI&feature=geosearch
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by Shavale is very happy on March 6th, 2009
Man, that nurse said that the doctor would see me soon... what's taking him so long?
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What do you think Rodin's "The Thinker" is thinking about?

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