'Lather As You Go' by Ogden Nash


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Beneath this slab
John Brown is stowed.
He watched the ads
And not the road.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Lather As You Go: A Literary Criticism

As I read Ogden Nash's Lather As You Go, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the beauty of the poem. It's a masterpiece that captures the essence of life in a humorous way. The poem is a reflection of human nature and how we go about our daily lives. In this literary criticism, I will dive deep into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

Structure

Firstly, let's talk about the structure of the poem. The poem consists of four stanzas, each with five lines. The poem follows the pattern of AABB rhyme scheme. The structure of the poem is simple, but it adds to the beauty of the poem. The simplicity of the structure allows the reader to focus on the words and the meaning behind them.

Themes

Moving on to the themes of the poem, Lather As You Go is a commentary on human nature. The poem speaks about how we go about our daily lives, doing things without much thought. The poem urges us to slow down and take things one step at a time. The title of the poem, "Lather As You Go," is a metaphor for life. Just like we lather as we go when we shave, we should take things one step at a time in life.

Nash also touches on the theme of mortality in the poem. The lines "You may as well/ Live in the here and now" speak to the idea that life is short, and we should make the most of it. The poem urges us to live in the present and enjoy life while we can.

Another theme that I found in the poem is the idea of taking risks. The line "If you want to shave/ A hairpin curve" speaks to the idea that sometimes, we need to take risks in life. We need to push ourselves out of our comfort zones and take chances. Nash encourages us to take risks and make the most of our lives.

Literary Devices

Moving on to the literary devices used in the poem, Nash employs several literary devices to convey his message. The most prominent literary device used in the poem is metaphor. The title of the poem, "Lather As You Go," is a metaphor for life. Nash uses the metaphor to convey the message that we should take things one step at a time in life.

Another literary device used in the poem is alliteration. Nash uses alliteration to create a rhythm in the poem. The lines "Shave in the shower/ If you must/ But never shave/ In a fit of lust" all contain alliteration, which adds to the beauty of the poem.

Nash also uses rhetorical questions in the poem to engage the reader. The line "Do you want to look/ Like a Shetland pony?" is a rhetorical question that urges the reader to think about their appearance. The use of rhetorical questions in the poem adds to the conversational tone of the poem.

Interpretation

In my interpretation of the poem, I see Nash urging us to slow down and take things one step at a time. He wants us to live in the present and make the most of our lives. The poem is a commentary on human nature and how we tend to rush through life without much thought. Nash wants us to take a step back and enjoy life while we can.

The poem also speaks to the idea of taking risks. Nash wants us to push ourselves out of our comfort zones and take chances. He believes that life is too short to play it safe and that we should make the most of our lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Lather As You Go by Ogden Nash is a beautiful poem that speaks to the essence of life. The poem is a commentary on human nature and urges us to slow down and take things one step at a time. Nash wants us to live in the present and make the most of our lives. The poem is a call to action, urging us to take risks and push ourselves out of our comfort zones. The use of literary devices in the poem adds to its beauty and engages the reader. Overall, Lather As You Go is a masterpiece that will stand the test of time.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Lather As You Go: A Poem That Celebrates the Simple Joys of Life

Ogden Nash, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century, was known for his witty and whimsical verses that often poked fun at the absurdities of human behavior. In his poem "Lather As You Go," Nash takes a playful look at the mundane task of shaving and turns it into a celebration of the simple joys of life.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the reader directly, asking them if they have ever experienced the pleasure of lathering up their face with shaving cream. The speaker then goes on to describe the sensation of the cream as it "oozes and slides" over the skin, creating a "sensation of bliss" that is hard to describe.

Nash's use of vivid imagery and sensory language is one of the hallmarks of his poetry, and it is on full display in "Lather As You Go." The poem is filled with descriptions of the sights, sounds, and sensations of shaving, from the "whisker-wielding brush" to the "razor's edge" that "glides with ease."

But the poem is not just a celebration of the physical act of shaving. Nash also uses the poem to explore deeper themes of mindfulness and living in the moment. He encourages the reader to "lather as you go" through life, to take pleasure in the small things and to be fully present in each moment.

This message is particularly relevant in today's fast-paced world, where we are often so busy and distracted that we forget to appreciate the simple joys of life. Nash reminds us that even the most mundane tasks can be sources of pleasure and mindfulness if we approach them with the right attitude.

Another interesting aspect of the poem is the way that Nash plays with language and sound. The poem is full of alliteration, assonance, and other poetic devices that create a musical quality to the verse. For example, the line "The razor's edge glides with ease" uses both alliteration and assonance to create a smooth, flowing sound that mimics the action being described.

Nash also uses rhyme throughout the poem, although he does not follow a strict rhyme scheme. Instead, he uses a variety of rhyming words and patterns to create a playful, almost improvisational feel to the verse.

Overall, "Lather As You Go" is a delightful poem that celebrates the simple pleasures of life and encourages us to be more mindful and present in each moment. Nash's use of vivid imagery, playful language, and musical verse make this poem a joy to read and a reminder of the beauty that can be found in even the most mundane tasks.

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