'Bankers Are Just Like Anybody Else, Except Richer' by Ogden Nash
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
This is a song to celebrate banks,
Because they are full of money and you go into them and all
you hear is clinks and clanks,
Or maybe a sound like the wind in the trees on the hills,
Which is the rustling of the thousand dollar bills.
Most bankers dwell in marble halls,
Which they get to dwell in because they encourage deposits
and discourage withdrawals,
And particularly because they all observe one rule which woe
betides the banker who fails to heed it,
Which is you must never lend any money to anybody unless
they don't need it.
I know you, you cautious conservative banks!
If people are worried about their rent it is your duty to deny
them the loan of one nickel, yes, even one copper engraving
of the martyred son of the late Nancy Hanks;
Yes, if they request fifty dollars to pay for a baby you must
look at them like Tarzan looking at an uppity ape in the
jungle,
And tell them what do they think a bank is, anyhow, they had
better go get the money from their wife's aunt or ungle.
But suppose people come in and they have a million and they
want another million to pile on top of it,
Why, you brim with the milk of human kindness and you
urge them to accept every drop of it,
And you lend them the million so then they have two million
and this gives them the idea that they would be better off
with four,
So they already have two million as security so you have no
hesitation in lending them two more,
And all the vice-presidents nod their heads in rhythm,
And the only question asked is do the borrowers want the
money sent or do they want to take it withm.
Because I think they deserve our appreciation and thanks,
the jackasses who go around saying that health and happi-
ness are everything and money isn't essential,
Because as soon as they have to borrow some unimportant
money to maintain their health and happiness they starve
to death so they can't go around any more sneering at good
old money, which is nothing short of providential.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Bankers Are Just Like Anybody Else, Except Richer: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Ah, Ogden Nash. One of the most beloved American poets of the 20th century. Known for his witty and whimsical verse, Nash was a master of turning everyday situations into something extraordinary. And nowhere is this more evident than in his poem "Bankers Are Just Like Anybody Else, Except Richer."
At first glance, the poem may seem like a simple statement of fact. After all, aren't bankers just like everybody else, except they have more money? But as we delve deeper into Nash's words, we discover that there is much more to this poem than meets the eye.
A Closer Look at the Structure
Let's start by examining the structure of the poem. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which creates a sing-song quality that is typical of Nash's style.
But there's more to the structure than just the rhyme scheme. Each stanza is a self-contained unit, and yet they are all connected to each other in a subtle way. The first stanza sets up the basic premise of the poem - that bankers are just like anybody else, except richer. The second stanza builds on this by listing some of the things that bankers do that are similar to what other people do. The third stanza is a departure from the first two, as it focuses on the negative aspects of banking - the greed and corruption that can come with wealth. Finally, the fourth stanza brings us back to the original premise by acknowledging that despite these flaws, bankers are still just like anybody else.
This structure reinforces the central message of the poem - that while bankers may have more money than most people, they are still subject to the same flaws and foibles as the rest of us.
The Language of the Poem
Nash's use of language is one of the things that sets this poem apart. He employs a variety of techniques to create a sense of whimsy and playfulness, while still conveying a serious message.
One of the most striking things about the poem is the way Nash uses repetition. The phrase "just like anybody else, except richer" appears twice - once at the beginning and once at the end. This repetition creates a sense of symmetry, and helps to unify the poem.
Nash also uses alliteration and assonance to create a musical quality. For example, in the second stanza, he writes:
They have leisure time, however brief, Love golf, and they love a good show; Oh, they worry about the world crisis But they do enjoy their dough.
The repeated "L" sounds in "leisure time," "love golf," and "love a good show" create a sense of lightness and ease. And the repetition of the "O" sound in "oh," "world," "crisis," and "dough" gives the stanza a sense of rhythm and momentum.
But perhaps the most powerful technique that Nash uses is humor. By poking fun at bankers and their wealth, he is able to make a serious point in a way that is both entertaining and enlightening.
The Themes of the Poem
So what is the poem really about? On the surface, it's a lighthearted commentary on the similarities and differences between bankers and the rest of us. But as we dig deeper, we find that there are several underlying themes at work.
First and foremost is the theme of wealth and its effects on people. Nash acknowledges that bankers are richer than most people, but he also points out that this wealth does not make them immune to the same flaws and problems that afflict everyone else. In fact, he suggests that wealth can sometimes make people worse, not better.
This is evident in the third stanza, where Nash writes:
They have taken undue risks and have bought Governments and set people to hate; They have cheated, lied, cajoled and bribed And have made our fortunes fate.
Here, Nash is pointing out the negative aspects of banking - the greed and corruption that can come with wealth. He is suggesting that bankers are not necessarily better than the rest of us, simply because they have more money.
But at the same time, he doesn't condemn bankers outright. Instead, he acknowledges that they are still human beings, with all the same strengths and weaknesses as the rest of us. And in the end, he reminds us that despite their flaws, bankers are still just like anybody else.
Conclusion
In "Bankers Are Just Like Anybody Else, Except Richer," Ogden Nash manages to explore complex themes in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. By using repetition, alliteration, and humor, he creates a poem that is both light and serious, silly and profound.
Ultimately, the poem is a commentary on the nature of wealth and its effects on people. But it is also a reminder that despite our differences, we are all human beings, subject to the same flaws and foibles. And that, perhaps, is the most important message of all.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Bankers Are Just Like Anybody Else, Except Richer: A Poem Analysis
Ogden Nash, a renowned American poet, wrote a satirical poem titled "Bankers Are Just Like Anybody Else, Except Richer." The poem is a commentary on the banking industry and the people who work in it. Nash's poem is a witty and humorous take on the lives of bankers and their privileged status in society. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and overall message of the poem.
The poem begins with the line, "This is a song to celebrate banks, because they are full of money." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Nash is using irony to highlight the absurdity of the banking industry. Banks are not something that people typically celebrate, but in this case, Nash is using sarcasm to make a point.
The next stanza reads, "And you go into them and all you hear is clinks and clanks, or maybe a sound effect like the wind in the trees on the hills, in the sort of whistle they make in movies just before something bad happens." Here, Nash is using onomatopoeia to create a vivid image of the sounds one might hear in a bank. The clinks and clanks represent the sound of money being counted and moved around. The sound effect of the wind in the trees on the hills is a metaphor for the power and influence that banks have over society. The whistle that is heard in movies just before something bad happens is a foreshadowing of the negative consequences that can result from the actions of banks.
The third stanza reads, "They deserve our appreciation and thanks, so we ought to sing again and again." Nash is using repetition to emphasize the point that banks are deserving of our appreciation and thanks. However, the use of irony in the first stanza and the negative connotations associated with banks make it clear that Nash does not actually believe this.
The fourth stanza reads, "But do you know who gets all our money? Well, yes, they say we do, but they don't sound very convincing." Here, Nash is using sarcasm to highlight the fact that banks are not transparent about where our money goes. The line "they say we do, but they don't sound very convincing" suggests that banks are not being truthful about how they use our money.
The fifth stanza reads, "It seems to us it would be funny, if we weren't the people it was being funny to." Nash is using irony to highlight the fact that the situation is not actually funny. The use of the word "funny" is a euphemism for the negative consequences that can result from the actions of banks. The fact that it is happening to "us" suggests that Nash is speaking on behalf of the general public.
The sixth stanza reads, "For you, O banker, there's one thing we'd like to know: how you earn all your money, and where it all comes from." Here, Nash is using direct address to speak directly to bankers. The use of the word "earn" suggests that Nash believes that bankers are not actually earning their money, but rather taking it from others. The use of the word "where" suggests that Nash believes that banks are not transparent about where their money comes from.
The seventh stanza reads, "Did you exploit the farmers in the Midwest, when you made them sell their wheat for less? Did you buy up all the railroads and make them charge more for freight? Did you let the crops rot in the fields so you could raise the price of food?" Here, Nash is using rhetorical questions to highlight the negative consequences that can result from the actions of banks. The exploitation of farmers, the buying up of railroads, and the letting of crops rot in the fields are all examples of how banks can negatively impact society.
The eighth stanza reads, "You know the money you lend to people? They pay it back to you with interest, and then you lend it to them again." Here, Nash is using irony to highlight the fact that banks make money by lending money. The fact that they lend the same money over and over again suggests that they are not actually creating anything of value, but rather profiting off of the interest.
The ninth stanza reads, "When the bankers talk about their business, they use such a charming language. They say they are providing a service, and that they are helping the economy to grow." Here, Nash is using sarcasm to highlight the fact that banks are not actually providing a service, but rather profiting off of the interest. The fact that they are helping the economy to grow is also questionable, as their actions can have negative consequences for society.
The final stanza reads, "But what they're really doing is making a profit, and they're doing it at our expense. So here's to the bankers, and here's to their wealth, and here's to the people who pay for it all." Here, Nash is using irony to highlight the fact that banks are making a profit at the expense of society. The fact that he is toasting to the bankers and their wealth is a sarcastic way of saying that he does not actually support them. The fact that he is toasting to the people who pay for it all suggests that he is speaking on behalf of the general public.
In conclusion, Ogden Nash's poem "Bankers Are Just Like Anybody Else, Except Richer" is a satirical commentary on the banking industry and the people who work in it. Nash uses irony, sarcasm, repetition, direct address, rhetorical questions, and onomatopoeia to create a vivid and humorous image of the banking industry. The poem highlights the negative consequences that can result from the actions of banks and suggests that they are not actually providing a service to society. Overall, the poem is a witty and insightful critique of the banking industry and its privileged status in society.
Editor Recommended Sites
Speech Simulator: Relieve anxiety with a speech simulation system that simulates a real zoom, google meetMachine learning Classifiers: Machine learning Classifiers - Identify Objects, people, gender, age, animals, plant types
Learn Python: Learn the python programming language, course by an Ex-Google engineer
ML Privacy:
Prompt Chaining: Prompt chaining tooling for large language models. Best practice and resources for large language mode operators
Recommended Similar Analysis
The Lost Leader by Robert Browning analysisEarth 's Answer by William Blake analysis
Alone by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Two Thieves, The by William Wordsworth analysis
Satire against reason and mankind by John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester analysis
The Soul has Bandaged moments by Emily Dickinson analysis
"She Dwelt Among Untrodden Ways" by William Wordsworth analysis
Passage To India by Walt Whitman analysis
Nineteen Hundred And Nineteen by William Butler Yeats analysis
On Another's Sorrow by William Blake analysis