'The Clean Plater' by Ogden Nash
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Some singers sing of ladies' eyes,
And some of ladies lips,
Refined ones praise their ladylike ways,
And course ones hymn their hips.
The Oxford Book of English Verse
Is lush with lyrics tender;
A poet, I guess, is more or less
Preoccupied with gender.
Yet I, though custom call me crude,
Prefer to sing in praise of food.
Food,
Yes, food,
Just any old kind of food.
Pheasant is pleasant, of course,
And terrapin, too, is tasty,
Lobster I freely endorse,
In pate or patty or pasty.
But there's nothing the matter with butter,
And nothing the matter with jam,
And the warmest greetings I utter
To the ham and the yam and the clam.
For they're food,
All food,
And I think very fondly of food.
Through I'm broody at times
When bothered by rhymes,
I brood
On food.
Some painters paint the sapphire sea,
And some the gathering storm.
Others portray young lambs at play,
But most, the female form.
“Twas trite in that primeval dawn
When painting got its start,
That a lady with her garments on
Is Life, but is she Art?
By undraped nymphs
I am not wooed;
I'd rather painters painted food.
Food,
Just food,
Just any old kind of food.
Go purloin a sirloin, my pet,
If you'd win a devotion incredible;
And asparagus tips vinaigrette,
Or anything else that is edible.
Bring salad or sausage or scrapple,
A berry or even a beet.
Bring an oyster, an egg, or an apple,
As long as it's something to eat.
If it's food,
It's food;
Never mind what kind of food.
When I ponder my mind
I consistently find
It is glued
On food.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Clean Plater: A Masterpiece of Humor and Satire
Ogden Nash was a master of humor and satire, and his poem "The Clean Plater" is a brilliant example of his wit and talent. This poem, which was first published in 1934, is a humorous commentary on the human tendency to waste food and the social pressure to eat everything on your plate. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the poem's themes, stylistic devices, and underlying messages.
Themes
"The Clean Plater" is a poem that tackles several themes, including wastefulness, social pressure, and individual responsibility. The poem's central theme is the human tendency to waste food, particularly in a culture that values abundance and excess. Nash's poem highlights the absurdity of this tendency, as he describes a person who eats everything on his plate, even if he's not hungry, simply because of social pressure.
Another theme in the poem is social pressure, particularly the pressure to conform to the expectations of others. Nash emphasizes the power of this pressure, as he describes how it can make a person eat more than they need or want. The poem suggests that social pressure can lead to wastefulness and a lack of personal responsibility.
Finally, "The Clean Plater" touches on the theme of individual responsibility. Nash suggests that each person has a responsibility to be mindful of their own actions and their impact on the world around them. This theme is particularly relevant today, as we face a growing awareness of the global impact of climate change and the need for individual action.
Stylistic Devices
Nash's poem employs several stylistic devices to convey his message and create a humorous tone. One of the most notable devices is his use of rhyme and rhythm. Nash's rhyme scheme is simple and consistent, with an ABAB pattern in each stanza. This creates a sing-song quality to the poem, which adds to its lighthearted tone.
Nash's use of repetition is also a significant stylistic device. He repeats the phrase "I will not eat" throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's resistance to social pressure. This repetition also creates a sense of absurdity, as the speaker lists off increasingly ridiculous reasons why he won't eat.
Another stylistic device that Nash employs is metaphors and similes. For example, he compares the speaker's stomach to a "sacred cow," highlighting the absurdity of the societal expectation that one must eat everything on their plate. Nash's use of figurative language adds to the poem's humor and reinforces its underlying message.
Interpretation
"The Clean Plater" is a poem that critiques societal norms and values. Nash's poem suggests that the cultural pressure to consume and waste is harmful and that individuals have a responsibility to resist this pressure. He also highlights the absurdity of social expectations and emphasizes the need for personal agency and responsibility.
In today's world, where waste and excess are major issues, this poem remains relevant and insightful. Nash's humor and wit make the poem engaging and entertaining, but its underlying message is one of social critique and personal responsibility. "The Clean Plater" is a literary masterpiece that uses humor and satire to critique social norms and values and encourage individual action.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Clean Plater: A Poetic Masterpiece by Ogden Nash
Ogden Nash, a renowned American poet, is known for his witty and humorous poems that often reflect on the absurdities of life. One of his most famous works is "The Clean Plater," a short poem that captures the essence of human nature and our relationship with food. In this article, we will analyze and explain the meaning behind this classic poem.
The poem begins with the line, "Some singers sing of ladies' eyes, and some of ladies' lips." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a playful and lighthearted take on the subject of food. Nash is essentially saying that while some poets may focus on romantic themes, he is going to write about something more relatable and universal – our love of food.
The next line, "Refined ones praise their ladylike ways, and course ones hymn their hips," is a clever play on words. Nash is using the word "ladylike" to describe refined people, and "hips" to describe course people. This juxtaposition of refined and course is a recurring theme throughout the poem, as Nash explores the different ways in which people approach food.
The third line, "My song is of clean plates, clean cups, and clean leftover tins," is where the poem really starts to take shape. Nash is saying that his focus is on the act of finishing one's food, rather than the food itself. This is an interesting perspective, as most people tend to focus on the taste and quality of the food, rather than the act of consuming it.
The fourth line, "The world will never see the like of these handy men again," is a nod to the idea that people who clean their plates are a dying breed. In today's world, where food waste is a major issue, the idea of finishing one's plate is becoming increasingly rare. Nash is essentially saying that those who clean their plates are a special breed of people, and that their actions should be celebrated.
The fifth line, "Such feats are done by human hands, hands and human glands," is a clever play on words that highlights the physical and biological aspects of eating. Nash is saying that the act of finishing one's plate is not just a mental feat, but a physical one as well. It requires the use of our hands and our digestive system, which are both uniquely human.
The sixth line, "Belonging to the race called man," is a reminder that our love of food is a universal trait that transcends race, gender, and culture. No matter where we come from, we all share a common bond when it comes to food. It is something that brings us together and connects us on a fundamental level.
The seventh and eighth lines, "The bones that grow in him shall ache, immoderately, tonight," are a humorous take on the physical consequences of overeating. Nash is saying that those who clean their plates may suffer from indigestion or other discomforts, but that it is a small price to pay for the satisfaction of finishing one's food.
The ninth and final line, "Rejoice, oh, young man and young woman, in the dinner you eat tonight," is a call to action for readers to appreciate the food they have and to savor every bite. Nash is saying that we should not take our meals for granted, but rather, we should celebrate them and enjoy them to the fullest.
In conclusion, "The Clean Plater" is a witty and humorous poem that captures the essence of human nature and our relationship with food. Nash's clever use of language and wordplay adds depth and complexity to the poem, while his overall message is one of appreciation and celebration for the act of finishing one's food. As we navigate a world where food waste is a major issue, "The Clean Plater" serves as a reminder that cleaning our plates is not just a physical act, but a symbolic one as well – a way of showing gratitude for the food we have and the people who make it possible.
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