'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

Are you looking for a poem that will make you laugh, cry, and think all at the same time? Look no further than Ogden Nash's "Lines Indited With All The Depravity Of Poverty." In this classic work of poetry, Nash presents a brutally honest and often hilarious look at the struggles of poverty.

The Power of Language

One of the most striking aspects of "Lines Indited With All The Depravity Of Poverty" is the power of Nash's language. His words are sharp, witty, and often cutting. Take, for example, the opening lines:

Don't cry, Darling, it's no use crying,
For pretty soon we'll all be dying,
And if you object to that,
I shall have to ask you to step on your hat.

These lines are simultaneously bleak and hilarious. The rhyme scheme and rhythm of the poem are masterful, drawing the reader in and encouraging them to keep reading. Nash's use of language is a testament to the power of poetry to convey complex emotions and ideas.

The Realities of Poverty

Nash's poem is not just a clever exercise in wordplay, however. It is a deeply felt exploration of the realities of poverty. In one stanza, he writes:

I love the way you clip your hair,
It's heart-rending, it's debonair,
But when I look at the rent unpaid,
I feel like a worm that's been betrayed.

These lines capture the heartbreak and frustration of living in poverty. The juxtaposition of the narrator's love for his partner with the harsh realities of their circumstances is deeply affecting. Nash does not shy away from the ugliness of poverty, but he also injects humor and humanity into his portrayal of it.

A Critique of Society

In addition to its examination of poverty, "Lines Indited With All The Depravity Of Poverty" is also a critique of society. Nash is not content to simply describe the struggles of the poor; he also seeks to understand the social and economic systems that perpetuate poverty. In one stanza, he writes:

I'm sure that I'm just an ignorant clod,
But it seems to me that there's something odd
In a world where those who work the most
Get the smallest share of the toast.

These lines are a clear indictment of the capitalist system that values profit over people. Nash's critique is not heavy-handed, but it is powerful nonetheless.

Conclusion

"Lines Indited With All The Depravity Of Poverty" is a masterpiece of poetry that combines humor, heartbreak, and social critique in equal measure. Nash's command of language is impressive, but it is his ability to convey complex emotions and ideas that truly sets this poem apart. If you have not read it before, do yourself a favor and give it a try. You will not be disappointed.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Lines Indited With All The Depravity Of Poverty: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry

Ogden Nash, the American poet known for his witty and humorous verses, wrote a poem titled "Poetry Lines Indited With All The Depravity Of Poverty" in 1930. The poem is a satirical take on the romanticized notion of poverty in literature and art. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and historical context of this masterpiece of satirical poetry.

The poem consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem:

Oh, what a joy it is to be A poverty-stricken devotee, To choose the dingy garret high And revel in the rapturous sky.

The speaker begins by sarcastically expressing the joy of being poor and living in a dingy garret. The use of the word "devotee" suggests that poverty is being treated as a religion or a cult. The phrase "rapturous sky" is a contrast to the dingy garret, highlighting the romanticized notion of poverty in literature and art.

The second stanza continues the satirical tone:

To wear the same old shabby clothes, To feed on crumbs and crusts and woes, To envy all the rich and fat, And die of want and be buried in a hat.

The speaker lists the hardships of poverty, such as wearing shabby clothes and eating meager meals. The phrase "crumbs and crusts and woes" is a play on the phrase "bread and butter," which is used to describe a basic necessity. The speaker then expresses envy towards the rich and fat, highlighting the class divide. The final line, "And die of want and be buried in a hat," is a darkly humorous image of a poor person's funeral.

The third stanza takes a turn towards the absurd:

To have no books, no friends, no fun, To have no roof, no air, no sun, To have no eyes, no ears, no nose, To have no fingers, feet, or toes.

The speaker exaggerates the hardships of poverty to the point of absurdity. The phrase "no books, no friends, no fun" highlights the lack of intellectual and social stimulation. The phrase "no roof, no air, no sun" suggests a complete lack of shelter and basic necessities. The final line, "To have no fingers, feet, or toes," is a humorous image of a person without any limbs.

The fourth stanza returns to the theme of envy:

To see the rich in all their pride, To see the poor in all their hide, To see the strong and mighty ones And wish that you could weigh their tons.

The speaker expresses envy towards the rich and the strong, highlighting the class and physical divide. The phrase "weigh their tons" is a play on the phrase "weigh their worth," suggesting that physical strength is valued more than anything else.

The fifth stanza takes a philosophical turn:

To know that life is but a span, To know that man is but a man, To know that riches soon take wings, To know that all material things

The speaker reflects on the transience of life and the impermanence of material possessions. The phrase "riches soon take wings" is a metaphor for the fleeting nature of wealth. The final line is left unfinished, suggesting that material things are ultimately meaningless.

The final stanza concludes the poem:

Are but the toys that children play, And that we all must pass away, And that the only things that last Are love and friendship, faith and trust.

The speaker concludes by stating that material possessions are like toys that children play with, and that the only things that truly matter are love, friendship, faith, and trust. This is a stark contrast to the romanticized notion of poverty in literature and art, which often portrays material poverty as a source of spiritual richness.

In terms of literary devices, the poem is full of puns, metaphors, and hyperbole. The use of puns, such as "crumbs and crusts and woes," adds a humorous tone to the poem. The metaphors, such as "riches soon take wings," add depth and meaning to the poem. The hyperbole, such as "To have no eyes, no ears, no nose," exaggerates the hardships of poverty to make a satirical point.

In terms of historical context, the poem was written during the Great Depression, a time of widespread poverty and economic hardship in the United States. The poem can be seen as a commentary on the romanticized notion of poverty in literature and art, which was often perpetuated by wealthy artists and writers who had never experienced poverty themselves.

In conclusion, "Poetry Lines Indited With All The Depravity Of Poverty" is a masterpiece of satirical poetry that critiques the romanticized notion of poverty in literature and art. Through the use of humor, exaggeration, and metaphor, Ogden Nash highlights the absurdity of poverty and the transience of material possessions. The poem is a timeless commentary on the human condition and the value of love, friendship, faith, and trust.

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