'The Men Who Wear My Clothes' by Vernon Scannell
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Sleepless I lay last night and watched the slow
Procession of the men who wear my clothes:
First, the grey man with bloodshot eyes and sly
Gestures miming what he loves and loathes.
Next came the cheery knocker-back of pints,
The beery joker, never far from tears,
Whose loud and public vanity acquaints
The careful watcher with his private fears.
And then I saw the neat mouthed gentle man
Defer politely, listen to the lies,
Smile at the tedious tale and gaze upon
The little mirrors in the speaker's eyes.
The men who wear my clothes walked past my bed
And all of them looked tired and rather old;
I felt a chip of ice melt in my blood.
Naked I lay last night, and very cold.
Submitted by Andrew Mayers
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Men Who Wear My Clothes: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you familiar with the poem "The Men Who Wear My Clothes" by Vernon Scannell? If not, I highly recommend it. This classic poem is a profound reflection on the passage of time, memory, and identity. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the themes and symbolism of the poem and explore Scannell's use of language and structure to convey his message.
Summary of the Poem
Before we delve into the analysis, let's start with a brief summary of the poem. "The Men Who Wear My Clothes" is a reflective piece that explores the speaker's identity and how it has changed over time. The speaker looks back on their past selves and wonders how they would view their present self. They contemplate the idea of memory and how it is shaped by the people we surround ourselves with. The poem ends on a bleak note, with the speaker acknowledging that they will eventually pass away and be forgotten.
Themes and Symbolism
At its core, "The Men Who Wear My Clothes" is a meditation on the passage of time and how it affects our identity. The speaker reflects on their past selves, wondering how they would view their present self. This is a common theme in literature, but what sets Scannell's poem apart is its use of symbolism. The title itself is symbolic, representing the idea that our identities are not fixed but rather are fluid and can be adopted by others. The men who wear the speaker's clothes are not literal men but rather representations of the speaker's past selves.
The idea of memory is also central to the poem. The speaker acknowledges that memory is shaped by the people we surround ourselves with. This is symbolized by the "odour of their rooms", which lingers on the speaker's clothes. The idea that we are shaped by our surroundings is a common theme in literature, but Scannell's use of smell as a symbol is particularly effective. Smell is one of the most powerful triggers of memory, and the idea that the speaker's past selves are still present in the smell of their clothes is a poignant reminder of how our surroundings shape us.
Finally, the poem touches on the idea of mortality. The speaker acknowledges that they will eventually pass away and be forgotten. This is a bleak but honest reflection on the nature of life. The use of the word "grave" in the final stanza adds to the sense of finality and permanence.
Language and Structure
Scannell's use of language and structure is masterful in "The Men Who Wear My Clothes". The poem is divided into four stanzas of varying lengths. This gives the poem a sense of structure and balance, but also allows Scannell to vary the pace and tone of the poem. The use of enjambment is also effective, allowing the poem to flow naturally and giving it a sense of momentum.
The language used in the poem is simple and direct, but also incredibly powerful. Scannell uses sensory language throughout the poem, particularly smell, to create a vivid sense of place and atmosphere. The use of repetition is also effective, particularly in the final stanza where the repetition of "forgotten" adds to the sense of finality and loss.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Men Who Wear My Clothes" is a profound and deeply moving poem that explores the themes of identity, memory, and mortality. Scannell's use of symbolism, language, and structure is masterful, creating a poem that is both simple and complex, direct and nuanced. The poem serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing our memories and the people we surround ourselves with. If you have not read this classic poem before, I highly recommend it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Men Who Wear My Clothes: A Poem of Identity and Legacy
Vernon Scannell's poem, The Men Who Wear My Clothes, is a powerful exploration of identity and legacy. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Scannell invites readers to consider the ways in which our lives are shaped by those who came before us, and the impact we leave on those who come after.
The poem begins with a striking image: "The men who wear my clothes are bones." This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that the speaker is reflecting on his own mortality and the legacy he will leave behind. The use of the word "bones" is particularly effective, as it conjures up images of death and decay, reminding us that even the most powerful and influential people will eventually be reduced to nothing more than a pile of bones.
As the poem continues, Scannell explores the idea of identity and how it is shaped by the people who came before us. He writes, "They are the phantoms of my youth, / The shadows of my prime." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that the men who wear his clothes are not just random strangers, but rather they are a part of him. They are the people who helped shape him into the person he is today, and their influence is still felt even after they are gone.
The poem then takes a more introspective turn, as the speaker reflects on his own life and the legacy he will leave behind. He writes, "And I am one with them, / A ghost within their bones." This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the speaker sees himself as a continuation of the men who came before him. He is not just an individual, but rather a part of a larger legacy that stretches back through time.
Throughout the poem, Scannell uses vivid imagery to bring his ideas to life. For example, he writes, "Their laughter echoes in my head, / Their voices speak my name." This line is particularly effective, as it suggests that the memories of these men are still alive and well in the speaker's mind. Even though they are gone, their influence is still felt, and their voices still speak to him.
The poem also touches on the idea of mortality and the inevitability of death. Scannell writes, "And when I too am bones, / Some other men will wear my clothes." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that he too will eventually be reduced to nothing more than a pile of bones, and that his legacy will be passed on to others. This line is particularly poignant, as it suggests that even though we will all eventually die, our influence can still be felt long after we are gone.
Overall, The Men Who Wear My Clothes is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of identity, legacy, and mortality. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Scannell invites readers to consider the ways in which our lives are shaped by those who came before us, and the impact we leave on those who come after. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are all a part of a larger legacy that stretches back through time, and it is up to us to ensure that our influence is a positive one.
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