'The Ballade Of The Automobile' by Ellis Parker Butler

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Frank Leslie's MonthlyJanuary 1904When our yacht sails seaward on steady keel
And the wind is moist with breath of brine
And our laughter tells of our perfect weal,
We may carol the praises of ruby wine;
But if, automobiling, my woes combine
And fuel gives out in my road-machine
And it's sixteen miles to that home of mine--
Then ho! For a gallon of gasoline!When our coach rides smoothly on iron-shod wheel
With a deft touch guiding each taut drawn line
And the inn ahead holds a royal meal,
We may carol the praises of ruby wine;
But when, on some long and steep incline,
In a manner entirely unforeseen
The motor stops with a last sad whine--
Then ho! For a gallon of gasoline!When the air is crisp and the brooks congeal
And our sleigh glides on with a speed divine
While the gay bells echo with peal on peal,
We may carol the praises of ruby wine;
But when, with perverseness most condign,
In the same harsh snowstorm, cold and keen,
My auto stops at the six-mile sign--
Then ho! For a gallon of gasoline!ENVOYWhen yacht or Coach Club fellows dine
We may carol the praises of ruby wine;
But when Automobile Clubmen convene
Then ho! For a gallon of gasoline!

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Ballade Of The Automobile: A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry

Have you ever thought about how much technology has changed our lives? The way we communicate, the way we work, the way we travel, everything is different now. And what better way to celebrate the technological advances of the 20th century than through poetry?

Ellis Parker Butler did just that with his masterpiece, "The Ballade Of The Automobile". This remarkable piece of modernist poetry captures the essence of the automobile, a symbol of the modern age, and explores its impact on society.

Background

Before we delve into the poem itself, let's take a moment to appreciate its context. At the time when Butler wrote "The Ballade Of The Automobile" in 1915, the automobile was still a relatively new invention. It was only a few decades old, yet it had already transformed the world in unimaginable ways. It was faster, more efficient, and more convenient than any previous mode of transportation. It had made the world smaller and more connected, and it had given people the freedom to travel wherever they wanted, whenever they wanted.

But the automobile had also created new problems. It had caused congestion, pollution, and accidents. It had disrupted traditional ways of life and had challenged people's notions of privacy and space. It had become a symbol of progress, but also of danger and excess.

Butler was acutely aware of these issues, and he used his poetry to explore them. He saw the automobile not just as a machine, but as a cultural phenomenon that reflected the values and anxieties of his time.

The Poem

"The Ballade Of The Automobile" is a ballade, a form of French poetry that consists of three stanzas and a shorter final stanza called an envoi. Each stanza has four lines, and the rhyme scheme is ABABBCBC. The envoi has only two lines and repeats the rhyme of the first and third lines of the first stanza. This strict form gives the poem a sense of elegance and order that contrasts with the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the automobile.

The first stanza sets the scene:

Oh, I have got a wondrous car,
A mystery to view;
I drive it up and down the street,
And all the people do
Observe with joy and envy keen
My shiny limousine.

Here, Butler introduces us to the narrator and his car. The car is described as "wondrous" and "a mystery to view", emphasizing its novelty and exoticism. The narrator takes pride in driving it up and down the street, attracting the attention and envy of the people around him. This sets up the theme of the poem: the allure and power of the automobile.

The second stanza continues this theme:

It's built upon a wondrous plan,
With many a clever trick;
It's painted in a gorgeous hue,
And when I take my stick
And push the pedal with my toe
It swiftly starts to go.

Now we get a closer look at the car itself. It's "built upon a wondrous plan" and has "many a clever trick", highlighting the technological sophistication of the automobile. The car is also described as "painted in a gorgeous hue", emphasizing its aesthetic appeal. But the most important line in this stanza is the last one, which describes how the car "swiftly starts to go". This line captures the essence of the automobile: its speed and power. The car is not just a machine, it's a source of exhilaration and freedom.

The third stanza expands on this idea:

It's such a wondrous joy to ride,
It's such a wondrous thrill!
I hold the wheel within my hand,
And, as I drive at will,
I feel a power within my grasp
That's like a magic clasp.

Now the narrator expresses his personal experience of driving the car. He describes it as a "wondrous joy" and a "wondrous thrill", emphasizing the emotional impact of the automobile. The narrator also feels a sense of power when he drives, as if he has a "magic clasp" on the world. This line is particularly interesting because it suggests that the automobile can give people a sense of control and mastery over their environment.

The envoi concludes the poem:

Oh, envy not my limousine,
But save your pence and pelf,
And buy a car that's within your means,
And drive it for yourself.

Here, the narrator addresses the reader directly, and offers a piece of advice: don't envy his limousine, but buy a car for yourself. This line reinforces the theme of the poem: the democratization of the automobile. The automobile was not just a luxury for the rich, but a technology that could be used by anyone. By encouraging the reader to buy a car, Butler is celebrating the idea of mobility and independence that the automobile represented.

Interpretation

So, what can we learn from "The Ballade Of The Automobile"? What does it tell us about the relationship between technology and society?

First of all, the poem highlights the transformative power of the automobile. The car was not just a new mode of transportation, it was a cultural and social phenomenon that changed the way people thought about mobility, freedom, and status. The car gave people a sense of empowerment and individualism, but it also created new problems and challenges.

Secondly, the poem shows us how the automobile was experienced by people at the time. For many, the automobile was a source of excitement and pleasure, but also of anxiety and danger. The car represented progress, but also excess and irresponsibility. By capturing these conflicting emotions in his poetry, Butler is showing us how the automobile was both a blessing and a curse.

Lastly, the poem highlights the role of poetry itself in interpreting and reflecting on technology. Poetry has the power to capture the complexities and contradictions of human experience, and to give voice to our hopes and fears. By writing a ballade about the automobile, Butler is not just celebrating the car, he is also exploring its cultural and social significance. He is using poetry to make sense of a world that was rapidly changing.

Conclusion

"The Ballade Of The Automobile" is not just a poem about a machine, it's a poem about us. It's a poem that captures the spirit of modernity, the excitement and anxiety of a world in transformation. It's a poem that reminds us of the power and potential of technology, but also of its limitations and challenges. It's a poem that shows us how poetry can help us make sense of our world, and how even the most mundane objects can become sources of inspiration and beauty.

So, the next time you see a car driving down the street, remember "The Ballade Of The Automobile". Remember the wondrous joy and thrill of the automobile, but also its complexities and contradictions. And most of all, remember the power of poetry to make us see the world in a new way.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Ballade of the Automobile: A Classic Ode to the Joy of Driving

If you're a fan of classic poetry, you've probably heard of Ellis Parker Butler's "The Ballade of the Automobile." This ode to the joy of driving is a timeless masterpiece that captures the excitement and freedom of the open road. In this article, we'll take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, structure, and significance.

First published in 1916, "The Ballade of the Automobile" is a ballade, a form of French poetry that consists of three stanzas and a refrain. The poem's structure is simple yet elegant, with a rhyme scheme of ABABBCBC and a refrain that repeats at the end of each stanza. This structure gives the poem a musical quality that adds to its overall charm.

The poem begins with a description of the automobile as a "thing of beauty" that "glides along the street." The speaker marvels at the car's power and speed, noting that it can "outstrip the fastest train." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which celebrates the automobile as a symbol of progress and modernity.

In the second stanza, the speaker describes the joy of driving the automobile. They note that "the wind is in our hair" and that they feel "free as birds that fly." This stanza captures the sense of liberation that comes with driving, as well as the thrill of speed and adventure.

The third stanza takes a more philosophical turn, as the speaker reflects on the impact of the automobile on society. They note that the car has "changed the world we knew" and that it has "brought us nearer to our kind." This stanza suggests that the automobile has not only revolutionized transportation but also brought people closer together, breaking down barriers of distance and isolation.

The refrain, which repeats at the end of each stanza, reinforces the poem's central message: "Oh, the joy of the automobile!" This line serves as a reminder of the poem's celebratory tone and its focus on the pleasures of driving.

One of the most striking aspects of "The Ballade of the Automobile" is its use of imagery. Butler's descriptions of the car and the act of driving are vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a world in motion. For example, in the first stanza, the car is described as a "thing of beauty" that "glides along the street." This image suggests a sense of grace and elegance, as well as the car's ability to move smoothly and effortlessly.

Similarly, in the second stanza, the speaker describes the wind in their hair and the feeling of freedom that comes with driving. This image captures the sense of exhilaration that comes with speed and movement, as well as the sense of liberation that comes with breaking free from the constraints of everyday life.

Finally, in the third stanza, the speaker reflects on the impact of the automobile on society. They note that the car has "changed the world we knew" and that it has "brought us nearer to our kind." This image suggests that the automobile has not only revolutionized transportation but also brought people closer together, breaking down barriers of distance and isolation.

Overall, "The Ballade of the Automobile" is a classic ode to the joy of driving. Its simple yet elegant structure, vivid imagery, and celebratory tone make it a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today. Whether you're a fan of classic poetry or simply appreciate the thrill of the open road, this poem is sure to inspire and delight. So why not hop in your car and take a drive, and experience the joy of the automobile for yourself?

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