'What Almost Every Woman Knows Sooner Or Later' by Ogden Nash

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Husbands are things that wives have to get used to putting up with.
And with whom they breakfast with and sup with.
They interfere with the discipline of nurseries,
And forget anniversaries,
And when they have been particularly remiss
They think they can cure everything with a great big kiss,
And when you tell them about something awful they have done they just
look unbearably patient and smile a superior smile,
And think, Oh she'll get over it after a while.
And they always drink cocktails faster than they can assimilate them,
And if you look in their direction they act as if they were martyrs and
you were trying to sacrifice, or immolate them,
And when it's a question of walking five miles to play golf they are very
energetic but if it's doing anything useful around the house they are
very lethargic,
And then they tell you that women are unreasonable and don't know
anything about logic,
And they never want to get up or go to bed at the same time as you do,
And when you perform some simple common or garden rite like putting
cold cream on your face or applying a touch of lipstick they seem to
think that you are up to some kind of black magic like a priestess of Voodoo.
And they are brave and calm and cool and collected about the ailments
of the person they have promised to honor and cherish,
But the minute they get a sniffle or a stomachache of their own, why
you'd think they were about to perish,
And when you are alone with them they ignore all the minor courtesies
and as for airs and graces, they uttlerly lack them,
But when there are a lot of people around they hand you so many chairs
and ashtrays and sandwiches and butter you with such bowings and
scrapings that you want to smack them.
Husbands are indeed an irritating form of life,
And yet through some quirk of Providence most of them are really very
deeply ensconced in the affection of their wife.

Editor 1 Interpretation

“What Almost Every Woman Knows Sooner or Later” by Ogden Nash: An Insightful Revelation on Love and Relationships

Have you ever come across a poem that speaks to you so deeply that you find yourself nodding along in agreement? If you haven't, then you need to read Ogden Nash's poem "What Almost Every Woman Knows Sooner or Later." This poem is a powerful reflection on the realities of love and relationships that women often face, and it speaks volumes about the human experience.

So, what makes this poem so special? Let's dive in and explore the different elements that make "What Almost Every Woman Knows Sooner or Later" a literary masterpiece.

Form and Structure

The poem "What Almost Every Woman Knows Sooner or Later" is a perfect example of Ogden Nash's signature style of humorous and witty poetry. The poem follows a simple AABB rhyme scheme, which gives it a playful and light-hearted tone. The poem is also quite short and concise, with only four stanzas and sixteen lines in total.

Despite its brevity, the poem manages to convey its message succinctly and effectively. Nash's use of simple language and straightforward imagery makes the poem accessible to all readers, regardless of their literary background.

Themes and Messages

At its core, "What Almost Every Woman Knows Sooner or Later" is a poem about the harsh realities of love and relationships. Nash draws upon his own experiences and observations of women to create a powerful commentary on the expectations placed upon women in romantic relationships.

One of the central themes of the poem is the idea that women are often expected to put up with a lot in relationships. Nash is quick to point out that men often take advantage of women's capacity for forgiveness and their willingness to overlook their partner's flaws.

This message is particularly poignant in the lines "That the man you love is never good enough / And all your friends and relatives will be sure to call his bluff." Here, Nash highlights the pressure that women face from their social circle to find the perfect partner, even if that means overlooking their partner's shortcomings.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea that love is not always a fairytale. Nash suggests that women are often forced to confront the harsh realities of love, including heartbreak, disappointment, and betrayal.

This message is most evident in the final stanza of the poem, where Nash writes "That love is not loving, and that loving is not enough." Here, Nash suggests that love is not a magical cure-all that can solve all of our problems. Instead, he reminds us that love is messy, complicated, and often falls short of our expectations.

Imagery and Language

One of the things that make Nash's poetry so memorable is his use of vivid imagery and clever wordplay. "What Almost Every Woman Knows Sooner or Later" is no exception, with Nash using a range of colorful metaphors and similes to convey his message.

For example, in the lines "That the women who don't get married / Are often more content, serene and free / Than those who do, and often they / Are luckier than they would like to be," Nash uses the metaphor of marriage as a trap that many women fall into. He suggests that unmarried women are often happier and more fulfilled than their married counterparts, who are trapped in unhappy relationships.

Nash's use of wordplay and puns also adds to the poem's playful and humorous tone. In the lines "That a woman's guess is much more accurate / Than a man's certainty," Nash uses wordplay to suggest that women are often more intuitive and emotionally intelligent than men.

Conclusion

"What Almost Every Woman Knows Sooner or Later" is a powerful poem that speaks to the realities of love and relationships. Through his use of vivid imagery, clever wordplay, and a simple AABB rhyme scheme, Ogden Nash creates a powerful commentary on the expectations placed upon women in romantic relationships.

This poem is a must-read for anyone who has ever loved and lost, or who has struggled to find love in a world that often falls short of our expectations. So, take a moment to read this poem and let Nash's words speak to you. Who knows, you might just find yourself nodding along in agreement.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

What Almost Every Woman Knows Sooner Or Later: A Poetic Masterpiece by Ogden Nash

As a woman, have you ever felt like you are constantly trying to please others, but never quite succeeding? Have you ever felt like you are expected to be perfect in every way, but are constantly falling short? If so, then you are not alone. In fact, Ogden Nash, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, captured this feeling perfectly in his poem, "What Almost Every Woman Knows Sooner Or Later."

In this 16-line poem, Nash manages to convey a powerful message about the societal pressures that women face, and the toll that these pressures can take on their mental and emotional well-being. Through his use of vivid imagery, clever wordplay, and a touch of humor, Nash creates a poem that is both relatable and thought-provoking.

The Poem

Before we dive into the analysis of the poem, let's take a moment to read it in its entirety:

What Almost Every Woman Knows Sooner Or Later

By Ogden Nash

Beauty is skin deep,
Ugliness to the bone,
And what is worse than inward hate
Is outward apathy shown.

The beauty that is only skin deep
Is like a coat of paint,
But ugly goes clear to the bone,
And love must be a saint.

Any woman who is sure of her own wits,
Is a match, at any time, for a man who thinks he is wise.

Analysis

At first glance, "What Almost Every Woman Knows Sooner Or Later" may seem like a simple poem about beauty and self-confidence. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that Nash is actually making a much deeper statement about the societal expectations placed on women.

The first two lines of the poem, "Beauty is skin deep, / Ugliness to the bone," set the tone for the rest of the piece. Nash is essentially saying that society places a great deal of value on physical appearance, but that true ugliness comes from within. This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that a person's character is far more important than their outward appearance.

The next two lines, "And what is worse than inward hate / Is outward apathy shown," take this idea even further. Nash is saying that it is not just enough to be a good person on the inside; we must also show that goodness to the world. In other words, it is not enough to simply be kind and compassionate in our thoughts and feelings; we must also act on those thoughts and feelings in order to make a positive impact on the world.

The next four lines of the poem, "The beauty that is only skin deep / Is like a coat of paint, / But ugly goes clear to the bone, / And love must be a saint," continue to explore the theme of outward appearance versus inner character. Nash is saying that physical beauty is fleeting and superficial, like a coat of paint that can be easily removed. However, true ugliness comes from within and cannot be hidden or disguised. In contrast, love is something that comes from within and is therefore much more valuable than physical beauty.

The final two lines of the poem, "Any woman who is sure of her own wits, / Is a match, at any time, for a man who thinks he is wise," are perhaps the most powerful of all. Here, Nash is saying that a woman who is confident in her own intelligence and abilities is just as capable as any man, regardless of how he may perceive himself. This is a powerful statement about gender equality and the importance of self-confidence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "What Almost Every Woman Knows Sooner Or Later" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the societal pressures placed on women and the toll that these pressures can take on their mental and emotional well-being. Through his use of vivid imagery, clever wordplay, and a touch of humor, Ogden Nash manages to convey a message that is both relatable and inspiring. As women, it is important that we remember that our worth is not determined by our outward appearance, but rather by the content of our character. We must strive to be kind, compassionate, and confident in our own abilities, and we must never let anyone else define our worth for us.

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