'A Drink With Something In It' by Ogden Nash
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1935There is something about a Martini,
A tingle remarkably pleasant;
A yellow, a mellow Martini;
I wish I had one at present.
There is something about a Martini,
Ere the dining and dancing begin,
And to tell you the truth,
It is not the vermouth--
I think that perhaps it's the gin.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ogden Nash's "A Drink With Something In It": A Critique and Analysis
"A Drink With Something In It" is a poem written by Ogden Nash in 1931. The poem is a witty and sarcastic commentary on the American Prohibition era. The poem is humorous but also tells a story about a man who is trying to find a drink with alcohol, but barely succeeds. The poem is a perfect example of Nash's unique style of writing, which combines humor and satire with a clever use of language.
Background
The Prohibition era in the United States began in 1920 and lasted until 1933. During this time, the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol were illegal. The purpose of Prohibition was to reduce crime, improve the health of Americans, and reduce the amount of money spent on alcohol. However, Prohibition was not successful in achieving these goals. Instead, it led to an increase in organized crime, bootlegging, and the consumption of dangerous and unregulated alcohol.
During this time, many Americans were still trying to find ways to consume alcohol. Some people turned to homemade liquor, while others sought out speakeasies, which were illegal bars that served alcohol. The poem "A Drink With Something In It" is a commentary on the difficulty of finding a good drink during Prohibition.
Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker expressing his desire for a drink with alcohol. He is tired of drinking "soda, ginger ale, and claret" and wants something stronger. The speaker then goes to a bar and orders a drink, but the bartender tells him that he can only serve "soda, ginger ale, and claret." The speaker then goes to another bar and orders a drink, but he is served a drink that is "not fit to drink." The speaker realizes that he needs to find a "drink with something in it."
The poem is filled with irony and sarcasm. The speaker's desire for a drink with alcohol is juxtaposed with the fact that alcohol is illegal. The poem also mocks the idea that Prohibition was successful in reducing the consumption of alcohol. Despite the fact that alcohol was illegal, people were still trying to find ways to drink it.
Nash's use of language is also noteworthy. The poem is filled with puns and clever wordplay. For example, when the speaker asks for a drink, he says that he wants a "beverage." The bartender responds by saying that he can only serve "soda, ginger ale, and claret." The use of the word "beverage" implies that the speaker wants something stronger than a non-alcoholic drink, but the bartender's response is a clever play on words.
The poem also has a clear structure. The first stanza sets up the speaker's desire for a drink with alcohol. The second stanza describes the speaker's unsuccessful attempts to find a drink. The third stanza introduces the idea of a "drink with something in it." The fourth stanza describes the speaker's joy at finally finding a drink with alcohol.
At the end of the poem, the speaker is finally able to find a drink with alcohol. He is overjoyed and describes the drink as "good, nay, great." The final lines of the poem are a commentary on the absurdity of Prohibition. The speaker says that the drink is so good that "if Prohibition is repealed, I'll still never go back to that restaurant."
Interpretation
The poem can be interpreted in a number of ways. On the surface, it is a commentary on the difficulty of finding alcohol during Prohibition. However, the poem can also be read as a critique of the government's attempts to regulate people's behavior.
The speaker's desire for a drink with alcohol can be seen as a desire for freedom. During Prohibition, the government was attempting to regulate people's behavior by making alcohol illegal. The speaker's struggle to find a drink with alcohol can be seen as a struggle against government regulation.
The speaker's joy at finally finding a drink with alcohol can be seen as a triumph of individual freedom over government regulation. The final lines of the poem are a rejection of the government's attempts to regulate people's behavior. The speaker's refusal to go back to the restaurant even if Prohibition is repealed can be seen as a rejection of government authority.
The poem can also be seen as a commentary on the power of desire. The speaker's desire for a drink with alcohol is so strong that he is willing to go to great lengths to find it. His desire is ultimately fulfilled, but at a great cost. The poem can be read as a cautionary tale about the dangers of desire.
Conclusion
"A Drink With Something In It" is a witty and satirical commentary on the American Prohibition era. The poem is filled with irony, sarcasm, and clever wordplay. It can be interpreted as a critique of government regulation and a celebration of individual freedom. The poem is a testament to Nash's unique style of writing, which combines humor and satire with a clever use of language.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. One of the most famous poets of the 20th century was Ogden Nash, who was known for his witty and humorous poems. One of his most famous works is "A Drink With Something In It," which is a satirical take on the Prohibition era in America. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
Firstly, let's examine the structure of the poem. "A Drink With Something In It" is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem follows a simple AABB rhyme scheme, with the first and second lines rhyming with each other, and the third and fourth lines rhyming with each other. This simple structure adds to the poem's lighthearted tone and makes it easy to read and understand.
The poem's title, "A Drink With Something In It," immediately grabs the reader's attention and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The phrase "something in it" suggests that there is more to the drink than meets the eye, and this is precisely what the poem is about. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the drink:
"There is something about a Martini, A tingle remarkably pleasant; A yellow, a mellow Martini; I wish I had one at present."
The speaker describes the Martini as having a "tingle remarkably pleasant," which suggests that the drink has a stimulating effect on the senses. The use of the words "yellow" and "mellow" adds to the poem's playful tone and creates a sense of nostalgia for a time when alcohol was legal.
The second stanza introduces the theme of Prohibition and the difficulties of obtaining alcohol during this time:
"There is something about a Martini, Ere the dining and dancing begin, And to tell you the truth, It is not the vermouth-- I think that perhaps it's the gin."
The speaker suggests that the appeal of the Martini is not the vermouth, but rather the gin. This is a nod to the fact that during Prohibition, gin was often used as a substitute for other types of alcohol, as it was easier to obtain. The use of the phrase "to tell you the truth" adds to the poem's ironic tone, as the speaker is being facetious about the fact that they are breaking the law by drinking alcohol.
The third stanza continues the theme of Prohibition and the dangers of drinking illegal alcohol:
"There is something about an old-fashioned That kindles a smile on each face Of credit and debtors Of bankers and bettors-- Alike in the old-fashioned's grace."
The speaker describes the old-fashioned as a drink that brings a smile to everyone's face, regardless of their social status. This suggests that alcohol has the power to bring people together and create a sense of camaraderie. However, the use of the words "credit and debtors" and "bankers and bettors" suggests that there is a darker side to drinking alcohol, as it can lead to financial ruin and other negative consequences.
The fourth and final stanza brings the poem to a close and reinforces the theme of Prohibition:
"There is something about a highball, A silver fizz in a tall glass; A sparkle, a tang in a highball, Icy and clean, and no kick at the last."
The speaker describes the highball as a drink that is "icy and clean" and has "no kick at the last." This suggests that the drink is not as potent as other types of alcohol, and therefore, it is less likely to be detected by the authorities. The use of the words "sparkle" and "tang" adds to the poem's playful tone and creates a sense of excitement about the prospect of drinking alcohol.
In terms of literary devices, "A Drink With Something In It" is full of clever wordplay and irony. For example, the use of the phrase "to tell you the truth" in the second stanza is ironic, as the speaker is not actually telling the truth about their drinking habits. Similarly, the use of the words "credit and debtors" and "bankers and bettors" in the third stanza is a play on words, as these groups of people are often associated with financial transactions.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "there is something about" is repeated in each stanza, which creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the poem's theme of the appeal of alcohol. The repetition of the word "Martini" in the first and second stanzas also adds to the poem's playful tone and creates a sense of rhythm.
In conclusion, "A Drink With Something In It" is a classic poem that uses humor and irony to comment on the Prohibition era in America. The poem's simple structure and playful tone make it easy to read and understand, while its clever wordplay and repetition add depth and complexity. Ogden Nash was a master of satire, and this poem is a testament to his wit and humor.
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