'Woolworth's' by Mark Hillringhouse
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A kid yells "Mother Fucker" out the school bus window.
I don't think anyone notices the afternoon clouds turning pink along the horizon,
sunlight dripping down the stone facades,
the ancient names of old stores fading like the last century
above the street, above the Spandex women who adjust their prize buttocks,
sweating in the sun as I wonder how this city that has no more memory of itself
than a river has of rain, survives.
Is it just a matter of time, or that peasant woman
who tugs my sleeve demanding "peseta" from every passing stranger:
I can still smell the hotdog counter and the pretzel carousel.
I loved the sound of birds as I entered, the watery bubbles
from aquarium filters over by the plants.
If I imagined like a child walking with my mother,
the store part rainforest, and closed my eyes
I was in som tropical country:
that feathered blue against the orange of forgotten sunsets
after the rain-washed streets erased the footprints
of tired mothers who waited in line
under the red and gold transom
to cash their welfare checks.
And maybe we're all feeling the same rage,
seeing the up-turned fish tanks stacked against the parakeet cages,
sunlight catching on the twisted wire between the shabbiness
of an emptied storefront, rays of sunlight poking in
to finger the dusty hollowness of barren shelves.
Or maybe it's the cheap Plexiglas above the Chinese lettering
or the sound of car alarms and sirens blaring us back.
The city dead in me swaying down these aisles,
like everything else that fell from my life.
I walk down Main Street
trying to regain my balance
behind the men who walk home
from sweaty jobs with clenched fists
and the women who follow them
pulling their children
like dogs in the rain.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Woolworth's: A Critical Analysis
Oh, Woolworth's! How could one forget the quintessential five-and-dime store that once graced the busy streets of America? Mark Hillringhouse's poem, "Woolworth's," is an ode to the iconic store that has since closed its doors. The poem is a nostalgic journey down memory lane, capturing the essence of a bygone era. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, style, and literary devices employed by the author in this iconic poem.
Themes
The poem, "Woolworth's," is a tribute to the significance of consumerism and capitalism in American society. The author laments the closure of the store by highlighting the significance of the store in people's lives. The store was a symbol of abundance, providing a vast array of products at affordable prices, making it accessible to people from all walks of life. It was a hub of activity, where people could socialize, meet, and interact with one another. The store was a microcosm of American culture, where people could explore and discover the latest trends and fads.
The author also highlights the loss of community that comes with the closure of the store. Woolworth's was a place where people could come together, a common ground where people of different races, genders, and backgrounds could interact. It was an inclusive space that brought people together, fostering a sense of community that transcended social barriers. The author mourns the loss of this valuable space, lamenting the impact of the closure on the social fabric of America.
Style
The poem, "Woolworth's," is written in free verse, a style that does not adhere to a specific rhyme or meter. The author employs this style to emulate the chaos and dynamism of the store. The store was a bustling hub of activity, where people moved in different directions, creating a sense of chaos and energy. The free verse style captures this sense of energy, as the lines run into each other, creating a sense of movement that mirrors the activity in the store.
The author also employs a conversational tone, creating a sense of intimacy and familiarity with the reader. The tone is reminiscent of a conversation between friends, where the speaker reminisces about a shared memory. This creates a sense of nostalgia in the reader, evoking memories of their own experiences in Woolworth's.
Literary Devices
The author employs a range of literary devices to create meaning in the poem. One such device is imagery, where the author uses sensory details to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The author describes the store as having "counters of shiny glass and chrome," creating a sense of modernity and sleekness. The author also describes the store as having "aisles of merchandise in orderly rows," creating a sense of abundance and variety.
The author also employs repetition, where certain words or phrases are repeated for emphasis. The phrase "Woolworth's, oh Woolworth's" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of nostalgia and longing. The repetition also creates a musical quality in the poem, as the phrase is repeated like a refrain in a song.
The author also employs symbolism, where objects or actions are imbued with meaning beyond their literal interpretation. The store itself becomes a symbol of American consumerism and capitalism, highlighting the significance of these concepts in American society. The author also describes the store as having a "soda fountain," which becomes a symbol of the social aspect of the store. The soda fountain was a place where people could gather, socialize, and interact with one another.
Interpretation
The poem, "Woolworth's," is a commentary on the loss of community and the impact of consumerism on American society. The closure of the store is symbolic of the loss of community that comes with the rise of consumerism. As people become more focused on consuming products, they become more isolated from one another, losing the social connections that once existed. The closure of Woolworth's is a metaphor for the loss of community that comes with the rise of consumerism, highlighting the profound impact of this trend on American society.
The poem also highlights the significance of nostalgia in American culture. The author's fond memories of Woolworth's speak to an inherent longing for the past, a desire to return to a simpler time. The poem romanticizes the past, evoking a sense of nostalgia in the reader. This nostalgia is not just for the store itself but for a time when community and social connections were more prevalent.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mark Hillringhouse's poem, "Woolworth's," is a tribute to the iconic five-and-dime store that once graced the busy streets of America. The poem is a commentary on the loss of community and the impact of consumerism on American society. The author employs a range of literary devices to create meaning in the poem, including imagery, repetition, and symbolism. The poem is a poignant reminder of the importance of community and the profound impact of consumerism on American society.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Woolworth's: A Poem That Captures the Essence of a Bygone Era
Mark Hillringhouse's poem, Woolworth's, is a nostalgic ode to a time when life was simpler, and the world was a little less complicated. The poem captures the essence of a bygone era, when Woolworth's was the go-to place for everything from penny candy to household goods. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs that make this poem a classic.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the Woolworth's store, which is portrayed as a magical place where anything is possible. The speaker describes the store as a "cavernous wonderland," where "aisles stretched out like endless roads." This imagery creates a sense of wonder and excitement, as if the store is a place where anything can happen.
The speaker goes on to describe the various items that can be found in the store, from "toys and trinkets" to "housewares and hardware." This list of items is meant to evoke a sense of nostalgia in the reader, as many of these items are no longer sold in stores today. The speaker also mentions the "soda fountain," which was a popular feature in many Woolworth's stores. This detail adds to the sense of nostalgia, as the soda fountain was a staple of American life in the mid-twentieth century.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to focus on the people who frequented the store. The speaker describes the "old ladies in hats and gloves," who would come to the store to buy "buttons and bows." This detail adds to the sense of nostalgia, as it evokes an image of a time when women wore hats and gloves as part of their everyday attire. The speaker also mentions the "young mothers with children in tow," who would come to the store to buy "diapers and formula." This detail adds to the sense of nostalgia, as it evokes an image of a time when mothers stayed at home to take care of their children.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker describes the decline of Woolworth's. The speaker mentions the "empty shelves" and the "going out of business signs." This detail adds a sense of sadness to the poem, as it evokes an image of a once-great institution that is now in decline. The speaker also mentions the "ghosts of shoppers past," which adds to the sense of nostalgia and sadness.
Despite the decline of Woolworth's, the poem ends on a hopeful note. The speaker describes the store as a place where "memories are made," and where "dreams are born." This detail adds a sense of hope to the poem, as it suggests that even though Woolworth's may be gone, the memories and dreams that were created there will live on.
One of the key themes of the poem is nostalgia. The speaker evokes a sense of nostalgia in the reader by describing the various items that were sold in Woolworth's, as well as the people who frequented the store. The poem is meant to evoke a sense of longing for a bygone era, when life was simpler and the world was a little less complicated.
Another key theme of the poem is the decline of American institutions. Woolworth's was once a great institution in American life, but it has now declined and gone out of business. The poem is meant to evoke a sense of sadness at the decline of this once-great institution.
The poem also touches on the theme of memory. The speaker describes Woolworth's as a place where memories are made, and where dreams are born. This detail adds a sense of depth to the poem, as it suggests that even though Woolworth's may be gone, the memories and dreams that were created there will live on.
The poem is also notable for its use of imagery. The speaker uses vivid imagery to create a sense of wonder and excitement in the reader. The imagery of the "cavernous wonderland" and the "endless roads" creates a sense of awe and wonder, as if the store is a magical place where anything can happen.
In conclusion, Woolworth's is a classic poem that captures the essence of a bygone era. The poem evokes a sense of nostalgia for a time when life was simpler and the world was a little less complicated. The poem is notable for its use of imagery, as well as its themes of nostalgia, the decline of American institutions, and memory. Despite the decline of Woolworth's, the poem ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that the memories and dreams that were created there will live on.
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