'A Drink With Something In It' by Ogden Nash


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There 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

A Drink With Something In It: A Critical Interpretation

Introduction

"A Drink with Something In It" is a delightful poem by Ogden Nash that perfectly captures the essence of drinking. It is a poem that is both humorous and poignant, and one that has been enjoyed by countless readers over the years. This literary criticism and interpretation will delve deeper into the poem, exploring its themes, literary devices, and hidden meanings.

Analysis

At first glance, "A Drink with Something In It" seems like a simple poem about drinking. Nash begins the poem by describing the perfect drink, one that has "something in it" but isn't quite sure what that something is. He then goes on to list all of the possible ingredients that could be in the drink, from sugar and cream to poison and ink.

On a deeper level, however, the poem is about the uncertainties of life. Just as the speaker in the poem is unsure of what is in his drink, we too are often unsure of what life has in store for us. We try to make sense of the world around us, but there are always unknown variables that we cannot control.

Nash's use of humor in the poem serves to highlight this theme. By making light of the speaker's predicament, Nash is reminding us that life is uncertain and that we should not take ourselves too seriously. We should enjoy the ride, even if we don't know where it's taking us.

The poem is also notable for its use of rhyme and meter. Nash employs an ABAB rhyme scheme throughout the poem, which creates a lighthearted, sing-song quality that adds to the poem's overall charm. The meter is also irregular, with lines varying in length from three to eight syllables. This adds to the whimsical nature of the poem and makes it fun to read aloud.

Interpretation

The central message of the poem is that life is unpredictable and that we should embrace the uncertainty. This idea is reinforced by the fact that the speaker in the poem never does find out what is in his drink. Instead of obsessing over the unknown, he simply enjoys the drink for what it is.

This message is particularly relevant in today's world, where uncertainty seems to be the norm. From political turmoil to global pandemics, there are many things that are beyond our control. Instead of dwelling on these unknowns, we should focus on the things that we can control and find joy in the present moment.

The poem also encourages us to approach life with a sense of humor. By poking fun at the speaker's situation, Nash reminds us that life is not meant to be taken too seriously. Humor can be a powerful tool for coping with difficult situations and can help us maintain a positive outlook even in the face of adversity.

Finally, the poem encourages us to be open-minded and to embrace new experiences. The speaker is willing to try a drink with "something in it", even though he doesn't know what that something is. This willingness to take risks and try new things is essential for personal growth and can help us live a more fulfilling life.

Conclusion

"A Drink with Something In It" is a charming and thought-provoking poem that encourages us to embrace the uncertainties of life with a sense of humor and open-mindedness. Nash's use of rhyme and meter adds to the poem's whimsical nature and makes it a joy to read. Ultimately, the poem reminds us that life is unpredictable, but that we can find joy in the present moment by embracing the unknown and living life to the fullest.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

A Drink With Something In It: A Poem Analysis

Are you a fan of poetry? Do you enjoy witty and humorous poems that make you chuckle? If so, then you must have come across Ogden Nash's classic poem, "A Drink With Something In It." This poem is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to entertain readers to this day. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

Firstly, let's take a look at the poem's structure. "A Drink With Something In It" is a short poem consisting of only six stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem follows a simple rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines rhyming, and the second and fourth lines rhyming. The poem's simplicity and brevity make it easy to read and understand, but it's the poem's content that makes it truly remarkable.

The poem's title, "A Drink With Something In It," immediately piques the reader's interest. What could this "something" be? Is it something good or bad? The poem's first stanza provides the answer:

"There is something about a Martini, A tingle remarkably pleasant; A yellow, a mellow Martini; I wish I had one at present."

The speaker of the poem is expressing his love for a Martini, describing it as "tingle remarkably pleasant." The use of the word "remarkably" emphasizes the speaker's appreciation for the drink. The speaker also describes the Martini as "yellow" and "mellow," which creates a sense of warmth and comfort associated with the drink. The last line, "I wish I had one at present," shows the speaker's desire for the drink, making the reader want one too.

The second stanza of the poem takes a humorous turn:

"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 is now suggesting that it's not the vermouth in the Martini that makes it so enjoyable, but rather the gin. The use of the word "truth" implies that the speaker is revealing a secret, adding to the humor of the poem. The last line, "I think that perhaps it's the gin," is a clever play on words, as "gin" sounds like "genius." The speaker is suggesting that the true genius of the Martini lies in the gin.

The third stanza of the poem takes a darker turn:

"There is something about a Martini, A quality almost divine; It's a drink that's so clear and so clean in taste, It makes a soul feel pristine."

The speaker is now describing the Martini as having a "quality almost divine." The use of the word "divine" suggests that the drink is almost holy or sacred. The speaker also describes the drink as "clear and clean in taste," which creates a sense of purity and cleanliness. The last line, "It makes a soul feel pristine," suggests that the drink has a cleansing effect on the soul, making it feel pure and free from sin.

The fourth stanza of the poem takes a more philosophical turn:

"There is something about a Martini, The way that it glints in the light; And the ice in the glass, Like a fragrant white rose, Made fatter by being on ice."

The speaker is now describing the visual appeal of the Martini, focusing on the way it "glints in the light." The use of the word "glints" creates a sense of sparkle and shine, making the drink seem even more appealing. The speaker also describes the ice in the glass as "like a fragrant white rose," which creates a sense of beauty and elegance. The last line, "Made fatter by being on ice," is a clever play on words, as "fatter" sounds like "water." The speaker is suggesting that the ice in the glass makes the drink more refreshing and enjoyable.

The fifth stanza of the poem takes a more humorous turn:

"There is something about a Martini, A feeling of woe that is largely uncalled for; And an ache 'neath the left shoulder-blade That I never had before."

The speaker is now describing the negative effects of the Martini, including a "feeling of woe" and an "ache 'neath the left shoulder-blade." The use of the word "largely" suggests that these effects are not significant enough to deter the speaker from enjoying the drink. The last line, "That I never had before," adds to the humor of the poem, as the speaker is suggesting that the drink has caused a new and unexpected ailment.

The final stanza of the poem brings the poem to a close:

"There is something about a Martini, A potent and magical spell; That you're not really drinking a Martini But a kind of a wishful farewell."

The speaker is now describing the Martini as having a "potent and magical spell." The use of the word "spell" creates a sense of enchantment and mystery, making the drink seem almost otherworldly. The last line, "But a kind of a wishful farewell," suggests that the drink is not just a drink, but a symbol of something more significant. The speaker is suggesting that the Martini represents a farewell to something, perhaps a farewell to youth or a farewell to a particular time in one's life.

In conclusion, "A Drink With Something In It" is a witty and humorous poem that explores the appeal of the Martini. The poem's structure is simple and easy to follow, but it's the poem's content that makes it truly remarkable. The poem uses a variety of literary devices, including rhyme, alliteration, and wordplay, to create a sense of humor and playfulness. The poem's final stanza suggests that the Martini is not just a drink, but a symbol of something more significant, adding depth and meaning to the poem. Overall, "A Drink With Something In It" is a classic poem that continues to entertain readers to this day.

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