'You Can Be A Republican, I'm A Genocrat' by Ogden Nash
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Oh, "rorty" was a mid-Victorian word
Which meant "fine, splendid, jolly,"
And often to me it has reoccurred
In moments melancholy.
For instance, children, I think it rorty
To be with people over forty.
I can't say which, come eventide,
More tedious I find;
Competing with the juvenile stride,
Or meeting the juvenile mind.
So I think it rorty, yes, and nifty,
To be with people over fifty.
The pidgin talk the youthful use
Bypasses conversation.
I can't believe the code they choose
Is a means of communication.
Oh to be with people over sixty
Despite their tendency to prolixty!
The hours a working parent keeps
Mean less than Latin to them,
Wherefore they disappear in jeeps
Till three and four A.M.
Oh, to be with people you pour a cup for
Instead of people you have to wait up for!
I've tried to read young mumbling lips
Till I've developed a slant-eye,
And my hearing fails at the constant wails
Of, If I can't, why can't I?
Oh, to be beside a septuagenarian,
Silent upon a peak in Darien!
They don't know Hagen from Bobby Jones,
They never heard of Al Smith,
Even Red Grange is beyond their range,
And Dempsey is a myth.
Oh golly, to gabble upon the shoulder
Of someone my own age, or even older!
I'm tired of defining hadn't oughts.
To opposition mulish,
The thoughts of youth are long long thoughts,
And Jingo! Aren't they foolish!
All which is why, in case you've wondered
I'd like a companion aged one hundred.
Editor 1 Interpretation
You Can Be A Republican, I'm A Genocrat: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Ogden Nash is a poet who is known for his satirical and humorous poems. His poem, "You Can Be A Republican, I'm A Genocrat," is a prime example of his satirical style. In this poem, Nash pokes fun at the political ideologies of Republicans and Genocrats. This literary criticism and interpretation will analyze the poem's themes, literary devices, and overall style.
Overview
"You Can Be A Republican, I'm A Genocrat" is a short poem consisting of only four stanzas. The poem's speaker is addressing someone who is trying to convince them to join the Republican party. The speaker responds by saying that they are a Genocrat and that they could never join the Republican party because of their differing political ideologies.
Themes
The poem's main theme is political ideology. Nash uses the poem to satirize the Republican and Genocrat parties. The speaker in the poem is firmly committed to their political beliefs and is not swayed by the other person's argument. The poem also touches on the idea of political polarization, with the speaker acknowledging that they are on the opposite side of the political spectrum from the other person.
Literary Devices
Nash uses several literary devices in "You Can Be A Republican, I'm A Genocrat" to convey his satirical message. One of the most significant literary devices he uses is irony. The speaker in the poem is completely unwilling to consider the other person's argument, despite their attempts to change their mind. This creates an ironic situation, as the person trying to convince the speaker is a Republican, a party that is often associated with being stubborn and unwilling to change their opinions.
The poem also uses hyperbole, particularly in the fourth stanza when the speaker says that they would rather be "a Mormon in a nudist colony" than join the Republican party. This hyperbolic statement emphasizes the speaker's strong commitment to their political beliefs.
Nash also uses repetition in the poem, particularly with the phrase "You can be a Republican, I'm a Genocrat." This repetition reinforces the speaker's commitment to their political beliefs and emphasizes the divide between the two political ideologies.
Style
The overall style of "You Can Be A Republican, I'm A Genocrat" is satirical and humorous. Nash's use of irony, hyperbole, and repetition creates a comical tone that pokes fun at the political ideologies of both parties. The speaker's refusal to even consider the other person's argument adds to the humor of the poem, as it creates a sense of absurdity.
Interpretation
The poem's title, "You Can Be A Republican, I'm A Genocrat," sets the tone for the poem. The use of "you" and "I" emphasizes the divide between the two political ideologies. The speaker's refusal to even consider the other person's argument highlights the idea that political polarization has become so entrenched that people are unwilling to listen to opposing viewpoints.
The use of hyperbole in the fourth stanza emphasizes the speaker's commitment to their political beliefs. The phrase "a Mormon in a nudist colony" is a humorous way of saying that the speaker would rather be in a situation that is completely contrary to their beliefs than join the Republican party. This emphasizes the idea that political beliefs are deeply held and that people are unlikely to change their minds.
Overall, "You Can Be A Republican, I'm A Genocrat" is a satirical poem that pokes fun at political ideologies and political polarization. Nash's use of irony, hyperbole, and repetition creates a humorous tone that emphasizes the absurdity of political divisions. The poem is a reminder that political beliefs are deeply held and that people are unlikely to change their minds, no matter how persuasive the argument.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
You Can Be A Republican, I'm A Genocrat: An Analysis of Ogden Nash's Classic Poem
Ogden Nash, the renowned American poet, was known for his witty and humorous poems that often tackled political and social issues. One of his most famous works is the poem "You Can Be A Republican, I'm A Genocrat," which was published in 1952. This poem is a satirical take on the two-party political system in the United States and the ideologies that drive them. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and historical context.
The poem begins with the speaker declaring that they are a "genocrat," a term that Nash coined to describe someone who believes in the rule of the intelligent and educated. The speaker then addresses a hypothetical Republican, telling them that they can continue to support their party, but the speaker will remain a genocrat. This sets up the central conflict of the poem, which is the clash between the two ideologies.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the work. Nash uses humor and irony to poke fun at the Republican Party, saying that they are "the party of the rich and the well-fed" and that they "love the status quo." This is a common criticism of the Republican Party, which is often seen as catering to the interests of the wealthy and powerful. Nash's use of humor makes this criticism more palatable and entertaining, but it also highlights the seriousness of the issue.
In the second stanza, the speaker explains what a genocrat is and what they believe in. They say that genocrats believe in "the rule of the wise and the learned" and that they "love the status quo only when it is wise and learned." This is a direct contrast to the Republican Party, which is seen as being more interested in maintaining the status quo for its own sake. The use of the word "wise" and "learned" emphasizes the importance of education and intelligence in the genocrat ideology.
The third stanza of the poem is where Nash really starts to have fun with the concept of genocracy. The speaker says that genocrats "believe in the rule of the people, but not the drool of the people." This is a clever play on words, as "drool" can refer to both saliva and stupidity. The speaker is saying that genocrats believe in democracy, but they also believe that the people should be educated and informed. This is a common criticism of democracy, which can be easily manipulated by those who are not well-informed.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker really lays into the Republican Party. They say that Republicans "believe in the rule of the dollar, and the heft of the fist." This is a direct criticism of the party's perceived focus on money and power. The use of the word "heft" emphasizes the physicality of this power, suggesting that it is not earned through intelligence or education, but through brute force.
The fifth stanza of the poem is where the speaker brings it all together. They say that genocrats "believe in the rule of the mind, and the heart, and the soul." This is a powerful statement, emphasizing the importance of intellect, emotion, and morality in the genocrat ideology. The use of the word "soul" suggests that genocrats believe in something greater than themselves, something that transcends politics and materialism.
The final stanza of the poem is a call to action. The speaker says that they will continue to be a genocrat, and that they will "fight for the rule of the wise and the learned." This is a powerful statement, suggesting that the speaker is willing to take action to promote their ideology. The use of the word "fight" suggests that this will not be an easy task, but that it is worth it.
Overall, "You Can Be A Republican, I'm A Genocrat" is a clever and humorous poem that tackles serious political issues. Nash's use of humor and irony makes the poem more accessible, but it also highlights the importance of education, intelligence, and morality in politics. The poem is a reminder that politics should not be about power and money, but about doing what is right for the people.
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