'A Tale Of The Thirteenth Floor' by Ogden Nash
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The hands of the clock were reaching high
In an old midtown hotel;
I name no name, but its sordid fame
Is table talk in hell.
I name no name, but hell's own flame
Illumes the lobby garish,
A gilded snare just off Times Square
For the maidens of the parish.The revolving door swept the grimy floor
Like a crinoline grotesque,
And a lowly bum from an ancient slum
Crept furtively past the desk.
His footsteps sift into the lift
As a knife in the sheath is slipped,
Stealthy and swift into the lift
As a vampire into a crypt.Old Maxie, the elevator boy,
Was reading an ode by Shelley,
But he dropped the ode as it were a toad
When the gun jammed into his belly.
There came a whisper as soft as mud
In the bed of an old canal:
"Take me up to the suite of Pinball Pete,
The rat who betrayed my gal."The lift doth rise with groans and sighs
Like a duchess for the waltz,
Then in middle shaft, like a duchess daft,
It changes its mind and halts.
The bum bites lip as the landlocked ship
Doth neither fall nor rise,
But Maxie the elevator boy
Regards him with burning eyes.
"First, to explore the thirteenth floor,"
Says Maxie, "would be wise."Quoth the bum, "There is moss on your double cross,
I have been this way before,
I have cased the joint at every point,
And there is no thirteenth floor.
The architect he skipped direct
From twelve unto fourteen,
There is twelve below and fourteen above,
And nothing in between,
For the vermin who dwell in this hotel
Could never abide thirteen."Said Max, "Thirteen, that floor obscene,
Is hidden from human sight;
But once a year it doth appear,
On this Walpurgis Night.
Ere you peril your soul in murderer's role,
Heed those who sinned of yore;
The path they trod led away from God,
And onto the thirteenth floor,
Where those they slew, a grisly crew,
Reproach them forevermore."We are higher than twelve and below fourteen,"
Said Maxie to the bum,
"And the sickening draft that taints the shaft
Is a whiff of kingdom come.
The sickening draft that taints the shaft
Blows through the devil's door!"
And he squashed the latch like a fungus patch,
And revealed the thirteenth floor.It was cheap cigars like lurid scars
That glowed in the rancid gloom,
The murk was a-boil with fusel oil
And the reek of stale perfume.
And round and round there dragged and wound
A loathsome conga chain,
The square and the hep in slow lock step,
The slayer and the slain.
(For the souls of the victims ascend on high,
But their bodies below remain.)The clean souls fly to their home in the sky,
But their bodies remain below
To pursue the Cain who each has slain
And harry him to and fro.
When life is extinct each corpse is linked
To its gibbering murderer,
As a chicken is bound with wire around
The neck of a killer cur.Handcuffed to Hate come Doctor Waite
(He tastes the poison now),
And Ruth and Judd and a head of blood
With horns upon its brow.
Up sashays Nan with her feathery fan
From Floradora bright;
She never hung for Caesar Young
But she's dancing with him tonight.Here's the bulging hip and the foam-flecked lip
Of the mad dog, Vincent Coll,
And over there that ill-met pair,
Becker and Rosenthal,
Here's Legs and Dutch and a dozen such
Of braggart bullies and brutes,
And each one bends 'neath the weight of friends
Who are wearing concrete suits.Now the damned make way for the double-damned
Who emerge with shuffling pace
From the nightmare zone of persons unknown,
With neither name nor face.
And poor Dot King to one doth cling,
Joined in a ghastly jig,
While Elwell doth jape at a goblin shape
And tickle it with his wig.See Rothstein pass like breath on a glass,
The original Black Sox kid;
He riffles the pack, riding piggyback
On the killer whose name he hid.
And smeared like brine on a slavering swine,
Starr Faithful, once so fair,
Drawn from the sea to her debauchee,
With the salt sand in her hair.And still they come, and from the bum
The icy sweat doth spray;
His white lips scream as in a dream,
"For God's sake, let's away!
If ever I meet with Pinball Pete
I will not seek his gore,
Lest a treadmill grim I must trudge with him
On the hideous thirteenth floor.""For you I rejoice," said Maxie's voice,
"And I bid you go in peace,
But I am late for a dancing date
That nevermore will cease.
So remember, friend, as your way you wend,
That it would have happened to you,
But I turned the heat on Pinball Pete;
You see - I had a daughter, too!"The bum reached out and he tried to shout,
But the door in his face was slammed,
And silent as stone he rode down alone
From the floor of the double-damned.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Wow, have you ever read Ogden Nash's "Poetry, A Tale Of The Thirteenth Floor"? If not, you are missing out on one of the most satirical, witty and thought-provoking poems ever written. This poem is not just a humorous take on the art of poetry, but it is also a commentary on the society and culture of the 20th century. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, motifs, and literary devices used by Nash to create this masterpiece.
Summary
"Poetry, A Tale Of The Thirteenth Floor" is a satirical poem that narrates the story of a poet who lives on the thirteenth floor of a building. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which deals with a different aspect of poetry. In the first part, the narrator describes the poet's life on the thirteenth floor where he writes poetry all day and night, without any regard for the world around him. The poet is so consumed by his craft that he forgets to eat, sleep or even bathe.
In the second part, the narrator describes the poet's encounter with a publisher who wants to publish his work. The publisher, however, is more interested in making a profit than promoting the poet's talent. He suggests that the poet should write about "love and bees" as that is what sells in the market. The poet is torn between his artistic integrity and the desire for fame and fortune.
In the final part, the narrator describes the poet's dilemma of choosing between two women - one who loves him for his poetry and the other who loves him for his money. The poet struggles to find a balance between his artistic and personal life, and ultimately chooses to follow his heart.
Themes
The poem touches upon several themes that are relevant even today. The most prominent themes are:
Artistic Integrity
The poem highlights the conflict between artistic integrity and commercial success. The poet is torn between his desire to create poetry that is true to his heart and the pressure to write what sells in the market. Nash suggests that true artists must stay true to their craft, even if it means sacrificing fame and fortune.
Love and Relationships
The poem also explores the theme of love and relationships. The poet is torn between two women who represent two different aspects of his life - his art and his wealth. The poem suggests that a balance between the two is necessary for a fulfilling life.
Isolation and Alienation
Another important theme of the poem is isolation and alienation. The poet lives on the thirteenth floor, away from the hustle and bustle of the world. He is so consumed by his craft that he forgets to interact with the world around him. This isolation eventually leads to his dilemma of choosing between two women who have very different perspectives on life.
Motifs
Nash uses several motifs that add to the satirical tone of the poem. Some of the prominent motifs are:
The Thirteenth Floor
The thirteenth floor is a motif that is used throughout the poem. It represents the isolation and alienation of the poet from the world. The thirteenth floor is also associated with bad luck and superstition, which further emphasizes the poet's predicament.
Love and Bees
Love and bees are motifs that are used in the second part of the poem. The publisher suggests that the poet should write about these topics as they sell well in the market. This is a commentary on the commercialization of art and the pressure on artists to conform to popular trends.
The Two Women
The two women who represent different aspects of the poet's life are another prominent motif in the poem. One woman represents his artistic integrity, while the other represents his wealth and status. The poet's dilemma of choosing between the two underscores the conflict between art and commerce.
Literary Devices
Nash uses several literary devices to create a satirical and witty tone in the poem. Some of the prominent literary devices are:
Irony
Irony is used throughout the poem to create a humorous and satirical tone. For example, the poet who is supposed to be a master of language and expression is unable to express his feelings to the two women in his life.
Satire
The entire poem is a satire on the art of poetry and the society that values commercial success over artistic integrity. Nash uses humor and irony to expose the contradictions and hypocrisies of the society.
Rhyme and Meter
The poem has a regular rhyme and meter, which adds to its poetic quality. The rhyme scheme is AABBCC, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. This regularity in form creates a sense of stability amidst the chaos of the poet's life.
Conclusion
"Poetry, A Tale Of The Thirteenth Floor" is a masterpiece of satire, wit, and social commentary. Nash's use of motifs and literary devices creates a humorous and thought-provoking poem that is relevant even today. The conflict between artistic integrity and commercial success, the dilemma of love and relationships, and the isolation and alienation of the artist are themes that resonate with readers of all ages. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to express the complexities and contradictions of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium of expression that has captivated the hearts and minds of people for centuries. It has the power to evoke emotions, paint vivid imagery, and convey complex ideas in a simple and beautiful way. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "A Tale of the Thirteenth Floor" by Ogden Nash. This classic poem is a masterpiece of wit, humor, and satire that has enchanted readers for generations.
The poem is a satirical take on the concept of superstition and the fear of the number thirteen. It is a humorous and lighthearted look at the irrational beliefs that people hold and the absurd lengths they go to avoid the number thirteen. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which builds upon the previous one to create a hilarious and thought-provoking narrative.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem by introducing the protagonist, a man who lives on the thirteenth floor of a building. The man is described as being "brave and bold" for daring to live on the thirteenth floor, which is considered unlucky by many. The stanza also introduces the central conflict of the poem, which is the man's fear of the number thirteen.
The second stanza delves deeper into the man's fear of the number thirteen. He is described as being "haunted" by the number and is constantly on the lookout for signs of bad luck. He avoids the number thirteen at all costs and goes to great lengths to ensure that he never encounters it. He even goes so far as to remove the thirteenth button from his coat and the thirteenth step from his staircase.
The third stanza takes a humorous turn by introducing a woman who lives on the fourteenth floor. The woman is described as being "calm and cool" and is not afraid of the number thirteen. She even goes so far as to invite the man to her apartment for dinner on the thirteenth of the month. The man is hesitant at first but eventually agrees to go.
The fourth and final stanza is the climax of the poem. The man arrives at the woman's apartment and is surprised to find that there are thirteen people at the dinner party. He is initially terrified but soon realizes that nothing bad happens. The poem ends with the man realizing the absurdity of his fear of the number thirteen and embracing it.
The poem is a masterful example of satire and humor. It pokes fun at the irrational beliefs that people hold and the absurd lengths they go to avoid the number thirteen. The protagonist is portrayed as being foolish for his fear of the number and the woman on the fourteenth floor is portrayed as being rational and level-headed.
The poem also has a deeper meaning that goes beyond its surface-level humor. It is a commentary on the power of superstition and the fear of the unknown. It shows how easily people can be swayed by irrational beliefs and how these beliefs can control their lives.
In conclusion, "A Tale of the Thirteenth Floor" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of wit, humor, and satire that has enchanted readers for generations. The poem is a commentary on the power of superstition and the fear of the unknown and is a reminder that we should not let irrational beliefs control our lives.
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