'So Does Everybody Else, Only Not So Much' by Ogden Nash
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people who look the other way when I heave into view.
you've heard this one because I told it to you myself, but I'm going to tell it to you
again regardless,"
summaries of radio programs and descriptions of caroons in newspapers and magazines.
everybody already is familiar with every word of; I want to refrain but cannot refrain
from telling the same audience on two successive evenings the same little snatches of
domestic gossip about people I used to know that they have never heard of.
narrating once it's worth narrating twice, in spite of lackluster eyes and dropping jaws,
childhood to titillating episodes in the childhood of my parents or even my
parents-in-laws,
help doing it and I am just another Ancient Mariner,
Editor 1 Interpretation
So Does Everybody Else, Only Not So Much by Ogden Nash
Have you ever come across a poem that left you pondering and wanting to read it again and again? So Does Everybody Else, Only Not So Much by Ogden Nash is one such poem.
At first glance, the poem seems like a lighthearted satire on human behavior. Ogden Nash uses his signature wit and humor to comment on the tendency of people to follow others blindly. He highlights the fact that we are all guilty of doing things just because others are doing them, and not because we really want to. But as you delve deeper into the poem, you realize that there is more to it than meets the eye.
Interpretation
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which has a distinct message. The first stanza talks about fashion and the pressure people feel to follow the latest trends. Ogden Nash uses the example of the hat, which was once a fashion statement but has now become obsolete. He says that people wear hats even when they don't want to, just because everybody else is doing it. He then goes on to say that there are certain things that people do not do simply because everybody else is not doing them. This is a subtle nod to the fact that people are more likely to follow the crowd than to take risks.
The second stanza talks about the pressure people face to conform to societal norms. Ogden Nash uses the example of marriage to highlight this point. He says that people get married because it is expected of them, and not because they really want to. He then goes on to say that people do not get divorced simply because everybody else is not doing it. This is a commentary on the fact that people are afraid to go against societal norms, even if it means sacrificing their own happiness.
The third stanza talks about the pressure people feel to conform to religious beliefs. Ogden Nash uses the example of praying to highlight this point. He says that people pray because it is expected of them, and not because they really believe in it. He then goes on to say that people do not stop praying simply because everybody else is not doing it. This is a subtle nod to the fact that people are more likely to follow religious beliefs than to question them.
Literary Criticism
Ogden Nash is known for his use of humor and wordplay in his poetry, and So Does Everybody Else, Only Not So Much is no exception. The poem is full of puns and witty remarks that make the reader chuckle. For example, in the first stanza, he says "a hat is a hat, but who cares about that?" This is a play on words, as he is saying that a hat is not important, but at the same time, he is talking about the actual object. This use of humor not only makes the poem more enjoyable to read, but it also helps to lighten the mood of the serious subject matter.
One of the most interesting aspects of the poem is the structure. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which has a distinct message. The first stanza talks about fashion, the second about societal norms, and the third about religion. This structure not only helps to organize the poem but also emphasizes the different pressures people face to conform.
Another interesting aspect of the poem is the use of repetition. Ogden Nash uses the phrase "So does everybody else, only not so much" in each stanza. This repetition not only emphasizes the message of the poem but also creates a sense of unity throughout the poem. By repeating this phrase, Ogden Nash is saying that we are all guilty of following the crowd, regardless of the context.
Conclusion
So Does Everybody Else, Only Not So Much by Ogden Nash is a thought-provoking poem that comments on the tendency of people to follow others blindly. Through his use of humor and wordplay, Ogden Nash highlights the pressure people face to conform to societal norms. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which has a distinct message, and the use of repetition creates a sense of unity throughout the poem. This poem is a reminder to question our own behavior and not to blindly follow others, even if it means going against the norm.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
So Does Everybody Else, Only Not So Much: A Poem Analysis
Ogden Nash, a renowned American poet, was known for his witty and humorous poems that often touched on the absurdities of life. One of his most famous works, "So Does Everybody Else, Only Not So Much," is a prime example of his unique style. In this poem, Nash explores the idea of conformity and how people often try to fit in with the crowd, even if it means sacrificing their individuality.
The poem begins with the line, "I feel very foolish, / Like a man in a movie / When life being to resemble / Whom life does not." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Nash immediately establishes a sense of self-doubt and insecurity. The speaker feels foolish, like he doesn't belong in his own life. He compares himself to a man in a movie, someone who is playing a role and not being true to himself. This idea of playing a role is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
The second stanza continues this theme, as the speaker says, "I feel like a man in a play, / Who has forgotten his lines, / And the rest of the cast / Is ad-libbing." Here, Nash is suggesting that the speaker feels like he doesn't know what he's supposed to be doing or saying. He's lost and unsure of himself, while everyone else seems to know exactly what they're doing. The idea of the "rest of the cast" ad-libbing implies that everyone else is making it up as they go along, but they're doing it with confidence.
In the third stanza, Nash introduces the idea of conformity. The speaker says, "I feel like a man in a crowd, / Who is trying to do the popular thing, / And finding that he is / The only one who doesn't know what it is." This is a common feeling for many people, especially in social situations. We often feel pressure to fit in and do what everyone else is doing, even if it goes against our own instincts. The speaker is struggling to conform, but he doesn't even know what he's supposed to be conforming to.
The fourth stanza takes this idea even further, as the speaker says, "I feel like a man in a mob, / Who is trying to be an individual, / And finding that he is / The only one who is." This is a clever twist on the previous stanza, as Nash flips the idea of conformity on its head. Now, the speaker is trying to be different and stand out from the crowd, but he's failing because everyone else is doing the same thing. This highlights the paradox of conformity – we want to fit in, but we also want to be unique.
The fifth stanza brings the poem to a close, as the speaker says, "I feel like a man in a mirror, / Who is trying to be himself, / And finding that he is / Everybody else, only not so much." This is a powerful ending that ties together all of the previous stanzas. The speaker is looking at himself in the mirror, trying to be true to himself, but he sees everyone else reflected back at him. He's not alone in his struggle to be an individual, but he's also not quite like everyone else. He's somewhere in between.
Overall, "So Does Everybody Else, Only Not So Much" is a clever and insightful poem that explores the complexities of conformity and individuality. Nash's use of humor and wit makes the poem accessible and engaging, while also conveying a deeper message about the human experience. The poem reminds us that we're all struggling to find our place in the world, and that it's okay to feel foolish or lost sometimes. In the end, we're all just trying to be ourselves, even if we're not quite sure who that is.
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