'Lines Indited With All The Depravity Of Poverty' by Ogden Nash
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One way to be very happy is to be very rich
For then you can buy orchids by the quire and bacon by the flitch.
And yet at the same time People don't mind if you only tip them a dime,
Because it's very funny
But somehow if you're rich enough you can get away with spending
water like money
While if you're not rich you can spend in one evening your salary for
the year
And everybody will just stand around and jeer.
If you are rich you don't have to think twice about buying a judge or a
horse,
Or a lower instead of an upper, or a new suit, or a divorce,
And you never have to say When,
And you can sleep every morning until nine or ten,
All of which
Explains why I should like very, very much to be very, very rich.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Lines Indited With All The Depravity Of Poverty" by Ogden Nash: A Critique
Have you ever read a poem that left you feeling raw and exposed? A poem that made you confront the darker, uglier aspects of humanity? That is precisely what Ogden Nash's "Lines Indited With All The Depravity Of Poverty" does. This poem is a powerful and provocative look at the realities of poverty in America, and it is a work that deserves close literary analysis and interpretation.
The Poem
Before we dive into the deeper meaning of "Lines Indited With All The Depravity Of Poverty," let's examine the poem itself. Here are the first few lines:
Poverty, you are not my fault,
But I would like to take on your fault.
I would like to make a quilt
Of your fault,
Stitch by stitch,
Until I suffocate,
And die happy.
These lines are a perfect example of Nash's unique style, which blends humor and tragedy in equal measure. The speaker begins by acknowledging that poverty is not their fault, but then expresses a desire to "take on" poverty's fault. The image of creating a quilt out of poverty's fault is both poignant and absurd, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
The Theme of Poverty
The theme of poverty is central to this poem, and Nash does not shy away from portraying the harsh realities of life for those who are living in poverty. He writes:
Poverty, you are not a joke,
But I cannot help laughing at you.
I cannot help laughing
At the absurdity of your children
Running in circles,
Chasing their own tails
In a game they cannot win.
Here, Nash is highlighting the absurdity of poverty, and how it creates a cycle of hopelessness and despair. The image of children chasing their own tails is both humorous and tragic, and it underscores the futility of trying to escape poverty.
Nash also addresses the issue of class inequality, writing:
Poverty, you are a wall
That separates the rich from the poor.
You are a wall that cannot be climbed,
But only broken down.
And those who break it down
Are branded as criminals,
And thrown in jail.
This stanza is particularly powerful because it speaks to the systemic nature of poverty and how it is perpetuated by those in power. The wall that separates the rich from the poor is not a physical barrier, but rather a social and economic one. Nash suggests that those who try to break down this wall are punished for their efforts, which only serves to reinforce the status quo.
The Role of the Speaker
One of the most interesting aspects of this poem is the role of the speaker. At times, the speaker seems to be sympathizing with poverty, while at other times they are mocking it. For example:
Poverty, you are a song
That I cannot help singing.
You are a song that makes me weep,
And dance,
And laugh,
All at the same time.
Here, the speaker is expressing a complex mix of emotions towards poverty. On the one hand, poverty is a source of sadness and despair (it makes the speaker weep), but on the other hand it is also a source of joy (it makes the speaker dance and laugh). This suggests that poverty is not a simple issue, but rather something that is deeply intertwined with the human experience.
Later in the poem, the speaker takes a more critical stance towards poverty:
Poverty, you are a disease
That infects the body and the soul.
You are a disease that spreads
From one person to another,
Until there is no one left
To infect.
Here, the speaker is using the metaphor of disease to describe poverty, painting it as something that is contagious and destructive. This is a much harsher portrayal of poverty than we saw earlier in the poem, and it suggests that the speaker's relationship with poverty is complex and multifaceted.
Conclusion
"Lines Indited With All The Depravity Of Poverty" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of poverty in America. Nash uses a unique blend of humor and tragedy to create a work that is both entertaining and deeply moving. The poem's portrayal of poverty as an absurd and hopeless cycle is particularly effective, and it underscores the need for systemic change in our society. Overall, "Lines Indited With All The Depravity Of Poverty" is a classic work of American poetry that deserves to be read and studied for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Lines Indited With All The Depravity Of Poverty: A Poem That Speaks to the Heart of the Struggle
Ogden Nash's poem, Lines Indited With All The Depravity Of Poverty, is a powerful and moving work that speaks to the heart of the struggle faced by those living in poverty. Written in Nash's signature style, the poem is both humorous and poignant, using clever wordplay and vivid imagery to convey the harsh realities of life on the margins.
At its core, the poem is a commentary on the dehumanizing effects of poverty. Nash begins by describing the physical toll that poverty takes on the body, using vivid and often grotesque imagery to paint a picture of the suffering endured by those who lack the basic necessities of life. He writes:
"My skin is as sallow as saffron, My hair is as limp as a lettuce, My feet are as flat as a flounder, My chest is as hollow as a drum."
These lines are a powerful indictment of the toll that poverty takes on the body. Nash's use of simile and metaphor creates a vivid picture of physical decay, emphasizing the way in which poverty can strip a person of their vitality and energy.
But the poem is not just about physical suffering. Nash also explores the psychological toll of poverty, describing the way in which it can erode a person's sense of self-worth and dignity. He writes:
"My eyes are as dull as a dead fish, My voice is as weak as a wren, My heart is as heavy as lead, My soul is as black as a hen."
These lines are particularly powerful, as they highlight the way in which poverty can strip a person of their humanity. Nash's use of animal imagery is particularly effective, emphasizing the way in which poverty can reduce a person to the level of a mere creature, devoid of agency or self-respect.
Despite the bleakness of the poem's subject matter, Nash manages to infuse it with a sense of humor and wit. He uses clever wordplay and puns to lighten the mood, even as he describes the most dire of circumstances. For example, he writes:
"I'm as thin as a toothpick, I'm as weak as a kitten, I'm as poor as a church mouse, But I'm not one to be smitten."
These lines are both humorous and poignant, highlighting the way in which humor can be a coping mechanism for those living in poverty. Nash's use of rhyme and rhythm also adds to the poem's lighthearted tone, making it more accessible and engaging for readers.
Ultimately, Lines Indited With All The Depravity Of Poverty is a powerful and moving work that speaks to the heart of the struggle faced by those living in poverty. Through his use of vivid imagery, clever wordplay, and poignant commentary, Nash captures the essence of what it means to live on the margins of society. His poem is a reminder that poverty is not just a physical condition, but a psychological and emotional one as well, and that those who suffer from it deserve our compassion and understanding.
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