'How Beastly The Bourgeois Is' by D.H. Lawrence
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How beastly the bourgeois is
especially the male of the species--
Presentable, eminently presentable--
shall I make you a present of him?
Isn't he handsome? Isn't he healthy? Isn't he a fine specimen?
Doesn't he look the fresh clean Englishman, outside?
Isn't it God's own image? tramping his thirty miles a day
after partridges, or a little rubber ball?
wouldn't you like to be like that, well off, and quite the
thing
Oh, but wait!
Let him meet a new emotion, let him be faced with another
man's need,
let him come home to a bit of moral difficulty, let life
face him with a new demand on his understanding
and then watch him go soggy, like a wet meringue.
Watch him turn into a mess, either a fool or a bully.
Just watch the display of him, confronted with a new
demand on his intelligence,
a new life-demand.
How beastly the bourgeois is
especially the male of the species--
Nicely groomed, like a mushroom
standing there so sleek and erect and eyeable--
and like a fungus, living on the remains of a bygone life
sucking his life out of the dead leaves of greater life
than his own.
And even so, he's stale, he's been there too long.
Touch him, and you'll find he's all gone inside
just like an old mushroom, all wormy inside, and hollow
under a smooth skin and an upright appearance.
Full of seething, wormy, hollow feelings
rather nasty--
How beastly the bourgeois is!
Standing in their thousands, these appearances, in damp
England
what a pity they can't all be kicked over
like sickening toadstools, and left to melt back, swiftly
into the soil of England.
Editor 1 Interpretation
How Beastly the Bourgeois is by D.H. Lawrence
Wow, what a powerful and thought-provoking poem! D.H. Lawrence really knows how to make us question our own values and beliefs. In this poem, Lawrence takes a hard look at the bourgeoisie, and what he sees is not pretty.
Summary
The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which describes a different aspect of the bourgeoisie. In the first stanza, Lawrence describes how the bourgeoisie is obsessed with wealth and status, and how they will do anything to maintain their position in society. They are shallow and materialistic, caring only about their own comfort and luxury.
In the second stanza, Lawrence describes how the bourgeoisie is hypocritical and two-faced. They pretend to care about the poor and the working class, but in reality, they are only interested in using them for their own gain. They talk about justice and equality, but they don't actually believe in these things.
In the third stanza, Lawrence explores the sexual hypocrisy of the bourgeoisie. They pretend to be moral and upright, but behind closed doors, they engage in all kinds of depravity and perversions. They are hypocrites who preach one thing but practice another.
Finally, in the fourth stanza, Lawrence brings everything together and shows how all of these aspects of the bourgeoisie are interconnected. They are a corrupt and decadent class of people who are destroying society from within.
Interpretation
There is so much to unpack in this poem! Lawrence is clearly making a statement about the bourgeoisie and their place in society. He sees them as a corrupt and parasitic class of people who are only interested in their own comfort and luxury. They are hypocritical and two-faced, pretending to care about justice and equality while maintaining a system that benefits them at the expense of others.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Lawrence's use of imagery. He describes the bourgeoisie as "fat" and "beastly", using animalistic language to convey their greed and lack of humanity. He also uses sexual imagery to show how they are corrupt and depraved. The bourgeoisie are portrayed as a disease that is infecting society from within, slowly destroying it.
Another interesting aspect of the poem is Lawrence's use of language. He employs a very direct and confrontational tone, challenging the reader to question their own values and beliefs. He uses repetition and rhetorical questions to drive his point home. For example, in the second stanza, he asks, "Do they really care about the poor? No, what they care about is maintaining their own power and privilege."
It's also worth noting that Lawrence was writing during a time of great social upheaval. The early 20th century was a time of great change, with the rise of the labor movement and the increasing awareness of social inequality. Lawrence was clearly influenced by this, and his poem can be seen as a critique of the existing social order.
Conclusion
In conclusion, How Beastly the Bourgeois is by D.H. Lawrence is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges our assumptions about the bourgeoisie and their place in society. Lawrence uses vivid imagery and confrontational language to convey his message, and he ultimately shows how the bourgeoisie are a corrupt and parasitic class of people who are slowly destroying society from within. This poem is a must-read for anyone interested in social justice or class issues, and it is as relevant today as it was when it was written over a century ago.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
How Beastly The Bourgeois Is: A Critical Analysis
D.H. Lawrence, the renowned English writer, poet, and literary critic, is known for his controversial and provocative works that challenge the societal norms and conventions of his time. One of his most famous poems, "How Beastly The Bourgeois Is," is a scathing critique of the middle-class values and attitudes that dominated the early 20th century. In this essay, we will analyze and explain the poem's themes, structure, language, and imagery, and explore its relevance to contemporary society.
The poem consists of four stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme. The title itself is a play on words, using the adjective "beastly" to describe the bourgeoisie, a term that refers to the middle class, particularly those who are affluent and materialistic. The use of the word "beastly" suggests that the bourgeoisie are not only morally corrupt but also animalistic in their behavior and desires.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker declaring that the bourgeoisie is "so ignorant and so dense" that they cannot appreciate the beauty and complexity of art and culture. The use of the word "dense" implies that the bourgeoisie is not only lacking in intelligence but also resistant to new ideas and perspectives. The speaker goes on to say that the bourgeoisie "always consider themselves right" and are unwilling to question their own beliefs and values. This suggests that the bourgeoisie is not only closed-minded but also arrogant and self-righteous.
The second stanza continues the critique of the bourgeoisie's narrow-mindedness, with the speaker stating that they "take themselves for important people" and believe that their opinions and preferences are superior to those of others. The use of the phrase "important people" suggests that the bourgeoisie is obsessed with status and social standing, and that they believe that their wealth and position entitle them to special treatment and privileges. The speaker goes on to say that the bourgeoisie "are the only folk on earth," implying that they are isolated and disconnected from the rest of society.
The third stanza shifts the focus to the bourgeoisie's materialism and consumerism, with the speaker stating that they "buy and sell their day" and are obsessed with acquiring more wealth and possessions. The use of the phrase "buy and sell" suggests that the bourgeoisie sees everything, including their own lives, as a commodity to be traded and exploited. The speaker goes on to say that the bourgeoisie "know no life but this," implying that their materialistic lifestyle has consumed them and left them with no other purpose or meaning.
The final stanza concludes the poem with a powerful indictment of the bourgeoisie's moral bankruptcy, with the speaker declaring that they "have souls like stagnant water" and are devoid of any spiritual or emotional depth. The use of the metaphor "stagnant water" suggests that the bourgeoisie is stagnant and lifeless, and that their souls are polluted and corrupted by their materialistic and selfish desires. The speaker goes on to say that the bourgeoisie "are full of the filthy, cold, stagnant water of their own preservation," implying that their obsession with self-preservation has made them callous and indifferent to the suffering of others.
The language and imagery used in the poem are powerful and evocative, with Lawrence using vivid metaphors and similes to convey his message. The use of the word "beastly" in the title and throughout the poem suggests that the bourgeoisie is not only morally corrupt but also animalistic in their behavior and desires. The use of the metaphor "stagnant water" in the final stanza is particularly effective, as it conveys the idea that the bourgeoisie is stagnant and lifeless, and that their souls are polluted and corrupted by their materialistic and selfish desires.
The poem's themes are also relevant to contemporary society, particularly in the context of the growing wealth inequality and the rise of the global elite. The critique of the bourgeoisie's narrow-mindedness, materialism, and moral bankruptcy is still relevant today, as many of the world's wealthiest individuals and corporations continue to prioritize profit over people and the planet. The poem's message is a reminder that true wealth and happiness come not from material possessions but from a sense of purpose, community, and connection to something greater than oneself.
In conclusion, "How Beastly The Bourgeois Is" is a powerful and provocative poem that challenges the societal norms and values of its time and remains relevant today. Lawrence's use of language and imagery is evocative and effective, conveying a message that is both timeless and urgent. The poem is a reminder that true wealth and happiness come not from material possessions but from a sense of purpose, community, and connection to something greater than oneself.
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