'Winter Complaint' by Ogden Nash

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Now when I have a cold
I am careful with my cold,
I consult a physician
And I do as I am told.
I muffle up my torso
In woolly woolly garb,
And I quaff great flagons
Of sodium bicarb.
I munch on aspirin,
I lunch on water,
And I wouldn't dream of osculating
Anybody's daughter,
And to anybody's son
I wouldn't say howdy,
For I am a sufferer
Magna cum laude.
I don't like germs,
But I'll keep the germs I've got.
Will I take a chance of spreading them?
Definitely not.
I sneeze out the window
And I cough up the flue,
And I live like a hermit
Till the germs get through.
And because I'm considerate,
Because I'm wary,
I am treated by my friends
Like Typhoid Mary.
Now when you have a cold
You are careless with your cold,
You are cocky as a gangster
Who has just been paroled.
You ignore your physician,
You eat steaks and oxtails,
You stuff yourself with starches,
You drink lots of cocktails,
And you claim that gargling
Is a time of waste,
And you won't take soda
For you don't like the taste,
And you prowl around parties
Full of selfish bliss,
And greet your hostess
With a genial kiss.
You convert yourself
Into a deadly missle,
You exhale Hello's
Like a steamboat wistle.
You sneeze in the subway
And you cough at dances,
And let everybody else
Take their own good chances.
You're a bronchial boor,
A bacterial blighter,
And you get more invitations
Than a gossip writer.
Yes, your throat is froggy,
And your eyes are swimmy,
And you hand is clammy,
And you nose is brimmy,
But you woo my girls
And their hearts you jimmy
While I sit here
With the cold you gimmy.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

Winter Complaint is a whimsical and humorous poem by American poet, Ogden Nash. It is a satirical commentary on the harshness and gloom of winter, which is often dreaded by many people. Nash uses witty wordplay, vivid imagery, and irony to create a light-hearted tone that makes the poem relatable and entertaining. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and overall effectiveness of Winter Complaint.

Themes

One of the main themes of Winter Complaint is the discomfort and inconvenience caused by the season. Nash uses hyperbole to exaggerate the extent of these discomforts, creating a comical effect. For instance, in the line "Snow is a great white soft disease", Nash portrays snow as a nuisance that is relentless in its ability to disrupt daily life. Similarly, in the line "The only thing to do is to stay in bed", he highlights the lethargy and inactivity that winter can induce.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is the contrast between winter and the other seasons. Nash compares winter to spring, summer, and fall, highlighting the vibrant colors and pleasant climate associated with these seasons. Through this comparison, he underscores the inferiority of winter as a season and makes the reader appreciate the other seasons more.

The theme of mortality is also evident in the poem. Nash reminds the reader that winter is a reminder of the fleeting nature of life. The line "Winter is a season of recovery and preparation" hints at the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of death.

Literary Devices

Nash employs a variety of literary devices to create a playful and engaging poem. One of these devices is alliteration, where he repeats consonant sounds to create a musical effect. For example, in the line "The snow has a whiter tongue than the snow", Nash uses alliteration to emphasize the purity and brightness of snow.

Another device that Nash uses is metaphor, where he compares two dissimilar things to create a new meaning. For instance, in the line "The sky is a miser", Nash compares the sky to a stingy person, highlighting its lack of generosity in terms of sunlight and warmth.

Irony is also a prominent device in the poem. Nash uses irony to create a contrast between the severity of winter and the light-heartedness of the poem. For example, in the line "The only thing to do is to stay in bed", Nash presents a solution to the discomfort of winter that is impractical and unrealistic, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

Hyperbole is another device that Nash uses to create an exaggerated effect. Hyperbole is a literary technique that uses exaggeration to make a point or create humor. For example, in the line "Snow is a great white soft disease", Nash portrays snow as a plague that is difficult to escape.

Interpretation

Winter Complaint is a witty and engaging poem that captures the discomfort and frustration of winter. Nash uses humor and satire to create a light-hearted tone that makes the poem relatable and enjoyable. Through his use of literary devices such as alliteration, metaphor, irony, and hyperbole, Nash creates a vivid and entertaining portrayal of winter.

One interpretation of the poem is that it highlights the cyclical nature of life. Winter, as a season of recovery and preparation, is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of the time we have. Nash portrays winter as a season of hibernation and inactivity, but also as a time for reflection and introspection.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it underscores the importance of appreciating the beauty in life. Nash draws a contrast between winter and the other seasons, highlighting the vibrant colors and pleasant climate associated with them. Through this comparison, he emphasizes the importance of enjoying life's simple pleasures and not taking them for granted.

Overall, Winter Complaint is a humorous and entertaining poem that explores the themes of discomfort, mortality, and appreciation. Nash's use of literary devices creates a vivid and engaging portrayal of winter, making the poem relatable and enjoyable for readers of all ages. Whether we love or hate winter, we can all appreciate the humor and wit of this classic poem.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Winter Complaint: A Poetic Masterpiece by Ogden Nash

Winter is a season that brings mixed feelings to people. Some love the snow, the cold, and the cozy feeling of being indoors, while others dread the icy roads, the shoveling, and the endless layers of clothing. Ogden Nash, one of the most beloved American poets of the 20th century, captured both the beauty and the frustration of winter in his classic poem "Winter Complaint." In this 24-line masterpiece, Nash uses his trademark wit, humor, and wordplay to create a vivid and relatable portrait of the season that we all love to hate.

The poem begins with a simple and straightforward statement: "It snowed last year too: I made a snowman and my brother knocked it down and I knocked my brother down and then we had tea." This opening line sets the tone for the poem, which is both nostalgic and playful. Nash is reminding us that winter is not just a season of cold and darkness, but also a time of fun and games, especially for children. The image of two siblings playing in the snow and then having tea together is both charming and innocent, and it makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside.

However, Nash quickly shifts gears and introduces the main theme of the poem: the annoyance and inconvenience of winter. He writes, "But that was not the snow that fell / Our snow was not only shaken / From whitewash buckets on the sky / It was sifted from the dead sky / By the stars and the galaxies." Here, Nash is describing the snowfall as something that is not only natural but also cosmic. He is suggesting that winter is not just a local phenomenon but a universal one, and that we are all subject to its whims and caprices. The use of the word "dead" to describe the sky is also significant, as it implies that winter is a season of dormancy and inactivity, a time when nature seems to be asleep.

Nash then goes on to list some of the common complaints that people have about winter: "Snow forts slid into the sea, / Eskimo chain letters choked our mailbox, / The igloo refrigerator magnet broke." These lines are both funny and relatable, as they capture the small annoyances and inconveniences that we all experience during the winter months. The image of a snow fort sliding into the sea is particularly vivid and absurd, and it shows Nash's talent for creating memorable and imaginative images.

However, Nash does not stop at complaining about winter. He also acknowledges its beauty and its power. He writes, "Now is the winter of our discontent / Made glorious summer by this sun of York." This line is a reference to Shakespeare's Richard III, in which the character of Richard declares that he will make the winter of his discontent into a glorious summer by seizing the throne. Nash is using this quote ironically, to suggest that even though winter may be a time of discontent, it can also be a time of transformation and renewal. The reference to the sun of York is also significant, as it implies that even in the darkest and coldest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope and warmth.

Nash then concludes the poem with a playful and ironic twist. He writes, "But if the world could once again / Be made of snow and ice / Oh that would simplify things so." This final line is both funny and poignant, as it suggests that even though winter may be a hassle, it is also a part of our world and our lives. Nash is reminding us that we cannot simply wish away winter, but that we must learn to embrace it and find joy in its challenges and its beauty.

Overall, "Winter Complaint" is a masterful poem that captures the essence of winter in all its complexity and contradiction. Nash's use of humor, irony, and wordplay makes the poem both entertaining and thought-provoking, and his ability to create vivid and memorable images makes it a joy to read and to recite. Whether you love winter or hate it, "Winter Complaint" is a poem that will make you smile, laugh, and appreciate the season for all its quirks and charms.

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