'The Ostrich' by Ogden Nash

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The ostrich roams the great Sahara.

Its mouth is wide, its neck is narra.

It has such long and lofty legs,

I'm glad it sits to lay its eggs.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Ostrich by Ogden Nash: A Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, what a delight to delve into the witty, humorous world of Ogden Nash, a poet who is known for his unique and comical way of expressing himself. In this literary criticism, I will be analyzing one of Nash's most famous poems, The Ostrich. This poem is a gem that not only showcases Nash's brilliance but also highlights the human tendency to ignore unpleasant truths. So, let's dive in and see what this masterpiece has in store for us.

Summary of The Ostrich

The Ostrich is a short four-stanza poem that describes the peculiar behavior of an ostrich. In the first stanza, Nash introduces the ostrich, describing it as a bird that is "big and swift and dumb." He then goes on to paint a picture of an ostrich burying its head in the sand, ignoring the world around it. In the second stanza, Nash humorously suggests that the ostrich does this to avoid seeing the world's problems, including war, poverty, and disease.

In the third stanza, Nash shifts gears and addresses the reader directly, asking them whether they too bury their heads in the sand, avoiding the world's problems. In the final stanza, he concludes the poem by stating that, unlike the ostrich, humanity cannot afford to ignore the world's problems. He urges the reader to take action and confront these issues head-on.

Analysis of The Ostrich

The Ostrich is a satirical poem that uses humor to highlight a crucial issue that plagues humanity – the tendency to ignore unpleasant truths. Nash uses the ostrich as a metaphor for humans who bury their heads in the sand and ignore the world's problems. The poem's humor is bittersweet, as it makes the reader laugh, but also reminds them of the harsh realities of the world.

In the first stanza, Nash uses alliteration to describe the ostrich as "big and swift and dumb." The use of alliteration draws attention to the words, and the repetition of the "b" and "s" sounds creates a sense of speed and movement, emphasizing the ostrich's physical attributes. The word "dumb" is also significant, as it not only means lacking intelligence but can also imply that the ostrich is silent or mute, unable to speak out against the world's problems.

In the second stanza, Nash poses the question, "But who, pray tell, is happier?" The use of the phrase "pray tell" is colloquial and adds an element of humor to the poem. Nash then goes on to list some of the world's problems, including war, poverty, and disease. By suggesting that the ostrich is happier for not seeing these problems, Nash is pointing out the irony of the situation. While ignorance may be bliss, it is not a solution to the world's problems.

In the third stanza, Nash directly addresses the reader, asking them whether they too bury their heads in the sand. The use of the word "you" creates a sense of intimacy between the reader and the poet, making the reader feel personally addressed. The repetition of the phrase, "Do you?" emphasizes the importance of the question, as it challenges the reader to reflect on their own actions.

In the final stanza, Nash concludes the poem by stating that humanity cannot afford to ignore the world's problems. The use of the word "we" creates a sense of unity between the reader and the poet, emphasizing that the problems of the world affect everyone. Nash's use of the imperative "Take heed," urges the reader to take action and confront these issues head-on.

Interpretation of The Ostrich

The Ostrich can be interpreted in many ways, but at its core, it is a commentary on humanity's tendency to ignore the world's problems. Nash's use of humor and satire highlights the absurdity of the situation, but also reminds the reader that these problems are real and need to be addressed.

The ostrich can be seen as a metaphor for humans who choose to ignore the world's problems. The act of burying its head in the sand is symbolic of humanity's tendency to turn a blind eye to the problems around them. By comparing humans to the ostrich, Nash is showing that this behavior is not only foolish but also dangerous.

The poem's final stanza is a call to action. Nash urges the reader to take heed and confront the world's problems head-on. The use of the imperative "Take heed" is significant, as it emphasizes the urgency of the situation. Nash is not asking the reader to simply acknowledge the problems but to take action and make a difference.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Ostrich is a witty and humorous poem that tackles a serious issue. Nash uses the ostrich as a metaphor for humanity's tendency to ignore the world's problems, highlighting the absurdity of the situation. The poem's humor is bittersweet, as it makes the reader laugh, but also reminds them of the harsh realities of the world. The final stanza is a call to action, urging the reader to take heed and confront these issues head-on. Overall, The Ostrich is a masterpiece that showcases Nash's brilliance as a poet and highlights the importance of confronting the world's problems.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Ostrich: A Classic Poem by Ogden Nash

If you're a fan of poetry, then you've probably heard of Ogden Nash. He was a master of light verse, and his poems were known for their wit, humor, and clever wordplay. One of his most famous poems is "The Ostrich," which is a hilarious and insightful look at the behavior of this fascinating bird.

The poem begins with the line, "The ostrich roams the great Sahara." Right away, we get a sense of the vastness of the desert and the freedom that the ostrich enjoys. But then Nash takes a turn and says, "Its mouth is wide, its neck is narra." This line is a great example of Nash's wordplay. He's using the word "narra" instead of "narrow" to create a rhyme with "Sahara." It's a small thing, but it adds to the overall playfulness of the poem.

Nash then goes on to describe the ostrich's behavior in a series of short, punchy lines. He says that the ostrich "has a long neck and longer legs," and that it "can run faster than a horse." These lines give us a sense of the ostrich's physical attributes and its impressive speed.

But then Nash takes another turn and says, "I'm sorry now I started it." This line is a bit of a surprise, and it's not immediately clear what Nash is referring to. But then he explains that he's sorry he started talking about the ostrich because "I'm not the one who's smartest." This is another example of Nash's wordplay. He's using the word "smartest" instead of "smart" to create a rhyme with "started." It's a clever way of admitting that he doesn't know everything about the ostrich.

Nash then goes on to describe some of the ostrich's more unusual behaviors. He says that the ostrich "sticks its head into the ground" and "thinks the world will disappear." This is a common misconception about ostriches, and Nash is poking fun at it. He's saying that the ostrich is not very smart if it thinks it can make the world disappear by sticking its head in the ground.

But then Nash takes another turn and says, "But that's not the way I'd have done it." This line is a bit of a surprise, and it's not immediately clear what Nash is referring to. But then he explains that he's talking about the ostrich's behavior, and he's saying that if he were an ostrich, he wouldn't stick his head in the ground. This is another example of Nash's humor. He's taking a common misconception about ostriches and turning it on its head by saying that he wouldn't do it that way.

Nash then goes on to describe some of the other things that the ostrich does. He says that it "flaps its wings and squawks" and that it "lays eggs with great care." These lines give us a sense of the ostrich's behavior and its role in the ecosystem.

But then Nash takes another turn and says, "I wish I had an ostrich farm." This line is a bit of a surprise, and it's not immediately clear why Nash would want an ostrich farm. But then he explains that he wants an ostrich farm so that he can "raise them big and fat." This is another example of Nash's humor. He's taking a seemingly random thought and turning it into a joke.

Nash then goes on to describe some of the other things that he would do if he had an ostrich farm. He says that he would "sell their feathers for a pound" and that he would "make a fortune overnight." These lines give us a sense of Nash's entrepreneurial spirit and his desire to make money.

But then Nash takes another turn and says, "But I don't know how to raise an ostrich." This line is a bit of a surprise, and it's not immediately clear why Nash would admit that he doesn't know how to raise an ostrich. But then he explains that he's not very good at raising animals, and that he would probably "raise a lot of dust and fuss." This is another example of Nash's humor. He's admitting that he doesn't know everything and that he's not very good at raising animals.

The poem ends with the line, "I'm a stranger to the ostrich race." This line is a bit of a surprise, and it's not immediately clear why Nash would call himself a stranger to the ostrich race. But then he explains that he's not an expert on ostriches, and that he's just a poet who likes to write about them. This is a great way to end the poem because it reminds us that Nash is not trying to be an expert on ostriches. He's just trying to have fun and make us laugh.

In conclusion, "The Ostrich" is a classic poem by Ogden Nash that is both funny and insightful. Nash's wordplay and humor make the poem a joy to read, and his descriptions of the ostrich's behavior give us a sense of this fascinating bird. Whether you're a fan of poetry or just looking for a good laugh, "The Ostrich" is definitely worth a read.

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