'Who In The Hell Is Tom Jones?' by Charles Bukowski
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I was shacked with a
24 year old girl from
New York City for
two weeks- about
the time of the garbage
strike out there, and
one night my 34 year
old woman arrived and
she said, "I want to see
my rival." she did
and then she said, "o,
you're a cute little thing!"
next I knew there was a
screech of wildcats-
such screaming and scratch-
ing, wounded animal moans,
blood and piss. . .
I was drunk and in my
shorts. I tried to
seperate them and fell,
wrenched my knee. then
they were through the screen
door and down the walk
and out into the street.
squadcars full of cops
arrived. a police heli-
coptor circled overhead.
I stood in the bathroom
and grinned in the mirror.
it's not often at the age
of 55 that such splendid
things occur.
better than the Watts
riots.
the 34 year old
came back in. she had
pissed all over her-
self and her clothing
was torn and she was
followed by 2 cops who
wanted to know why.
pulling up my shorts
I tried to explain.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Who In The Hell Is Tom Jones? by Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski, the notorious American author and poet, was known for his raw, unfiltered writing style that often depicted the darker side of life. In his poem "Who In The Hell Is Tom Jones?", Bukowski tells the story of a man who is obsessed with the titular character, questioning who he is and why he has such a hold on him. Through his use of vivid imagery and blunt language, Bukowski explores themes of identity, obsession, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.
Form and Structure
At first glance, "Who In The Hell Is Tom Jones?" appears to be a free-verse poem with no particular rhyme or meter. However, upon closer examination, one can see that Bukowski has crafted a unique structure that adds to the poem's overall effect. The poem consists of six stanzas, each with six lines. The first and fourth lines of each stanza are longer than the others, creating a sense of imbalance and tension. Additionally, the poem is written in a conversational tone, with short, choppy sentences that mimic the speaker's frenzied thoughts.
Imagery and Language
Bukowski's use of vivid, often disturbing imagery is one of the most striking aspects of the poem. In the first stanza, the speaker describes Tom Jones as "a bastard with a stopwatch/timing me as I crawl on my belly/through the desert of his mind." This image of crawling through a barren wasteland, desperate for some kind of connection, sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Throughout the poem, Bukowski uses visceral language to describe the speaker's obsession with Tom Jones, such as "I want to crawl inside his head/and wear his thoughts like a coat" and "I want to be the skin on his bones/the blood in his veins/the air in his lungs."
Bukowski also employs a number of literary devices to enhance the poem's impact. One example is his use of repetition, particularly in the lines "who in the hell is Tom Jones?" and "I want to know who he is/I want to know who he is/I want to know who he is." These repeated phrases emphasize the speaker's desperation to understand the mysterious figure who has taken over his thoughts.
Themes
At its core, "Who In The Hell Is Tom Jones?" is a poem about identity and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. The speaker is consumed by his obsession with Tom Jones, seeing him as a sort of savior who can provide him with a sense of purpose. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that Tom Jones is nothing more than a figment of the speaker's imagination. He is a blank slate onto which the speaker projects his own desires and fears.
This theme is further explored through the use of religious imagery. In the third stanza, the speaker compares Tom Jones to "a god in the sky/a faceless deity with power over my life." This image of a faceless, all-powerful figure echoes the speaker's earlier description of Tom Jones as a stopwatch-wielding bastard. Both images suggest a sense of helplessness and lack of control, as if the speaker is at the mercy of some higher power.
Conclusion
In "Who In The Hell Is Tom Jones?", Bukowski explores the complex themes of identity, obsession, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. Through his use of vivid imagery and blunt language, he creates a visceral portrait of a man consumed by his obsession with a mysterious figure. The poem's unique structure and conversational tone add to its overall impact, drawing the reader into the speaker's world of desperation and longing. In the end, "Who In The Hell Is Tom Jones?" is a powerful meditation on the human condition, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, we are all searching for something to give our lives meaning.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Who In The Hell Is Tom Jones? A Classic Poem by Charles Bukowski
If you are a fan of poetry, then you must have come across the name Charles Bukowski. He is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his raw and unapologetic style of writing. Bukowski's poems are often autobiographical, and he writes about his experiences with alcohol, women, and the gritty realities of life. One of his most famous poems is "Who In The Hell Is Tom Jones?" In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.
The poem starts with the line, "I was shacked with a 24-year-old girl from New York City." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Bukowski is known for his love of women, and this line shows that he is in the company of a young woman. The use of the word "shacked" implies that they are living together, but it also has a sense of transience to it. Bukowski's relationships were often fleeting, and this line suggests that this one might not last long.
The next line is, "It was the greatest night of my life." This line is significant because it shows how Bukowski is living in the moment. He is not thinking about the future or the past; he is fully present in the experience. This is a common theme in Bukowski's writing. He often writes about the importance of living in the moment and not getting caught up in the past or future.
The next few lines describe the girl's beauty. Bukowski writes, "Her eyes were blue, her skin was soft and brown." This line shows that Bukowski is attracted to the girl's physical appearance. He is drawn to her beauty, and it is one of the reasons why he is having such a great night.
The next line is, "I told her, 'I've never seen a girl like you before.'" This line is significant because it shows Bukowski's vulnerability. He is admitting that he is impressed by the girl and that he has never met anyone like her before. This is a rare moment of honesty from Bukowski, who is known for his tough exterior.
The next few lines describe the girl's reaction to Bukowski's compliment. She says, "I know, I know." This line shows that the girl is confident in herself. She knows that she is beautiful, and she is not surprised that Bukowski is attracted to her. This line also shows that the girl is not intimidated by Bukowski's reputation. She is comfortable in her own skin and is not afraid to be herself around him.
The next line is, "You never met a girl like me before." This line is significant because it shows that the girl is also impressed by Bukowski. She is confident in herself, but she is also impressed by Bukowski's reputation. This line also shows that the girl is not afraid to challenge Bukowski. She is not content to be just another one of his conquests; she wants to be something more.
The next few lines describe the girl's personality. Bukowski writes, "She was the kind of girl who'd say, 'I'll fuck you for free.'" This line shows that the girl is not interested in money or material possessions. She is attracted to Bukowski for who he is, not what he can give her. This line also shows that the girl is not afraid to be sexually liberated. She is comfortable with her sexuality and is not afraid to express it.
The next line is, "I said, 'What?' and she said, 'I'll fuck you for free. I like you.'" This line shows that the girl is not playing games. She is serious about her offer, and she genuinely likes Bukowski. This line also shows that the girl is not afraid to take control of the situation. She is not waiting for Bukowski to make a move; she is making the first move herself.
The next few lines describe Bukowski's reaction to the girl's offer. He writes, "I was stunned. I was frozen. I was stunned." This repetition of "stunned" shows that Bukowski is taken aback by the girl's offer. He is not used to women being so forward with him, and he is not sure how to react.
The next line is, "She said, 'Is that okay?'" This line shows that the girl is considerate of Bukowski's feelings. She is not trying to pressure him into anything; she genuinely wants to know if he is okay with her offer.
The next few lines describe Bukowski's decision. He writes, "I said, 'You're kidding.' She said, 'No.' I said, 'You've got to be kidding.' She said, 'No.'" This repetition of "kidding" shows that Bukowski is still in disbelief. He cannot believe that the girl is serious about her offer.
The next line is, "I said, 'Well, then, it's okay.'" This line shows that Bukowski has made his decision. He is going to accept the girl's offer. This line also shows that Bukowski is not afraid to take risks. He is willing to try new things and step outside of his comfort zone.
The next few lines describe what happens next. Bukowski writes, "We went to bed and woke up at 5 a.m. with the sun coming in the window and the radio playing Frankie Lane singing 'Jezebel.'" This line shows that Bukowski and the girl had a great night together. They stayed up all night and enjoyed each other's company. The use of the song "Jezebel" is significant because it is a song about a woman who is unfaithful to her husband. This song choice shows that Bukowski is aware of the girl's sexual liberation and is not judgmental about it.
The next line is, "I said, 'I gotta go.'" This line shows that Bukowski is not interested in a long-term relationship with the girl. He is content to have had a great night with her, but he is ready to move on. This line also shows that Bukowski is not afraid to be honest with himself and others.
The final line of the poem is, "She said, 'All right.'" This line shows that the girl is not upset or angry with Bukowski's decision. She is content to have had a great night with him and is not looking for anything more. This line also shows that the girl is not clingy or possessive. She is comfortable with herself and is not afraid to let Bukowski go.
In conclusion, "Who In The Hell Is Tom Jones?" is a classic poem by Charles Bukowski that explores themes of sexuality, vulnerability, and living in the moment. The poem is a snapshot of a night in Bukowski's life, and it shows his willingness to take risks and try new things. The girl in the poem is confident, sexually liberated, and not afraid to challenge Bukowski. The poem is a testament to Bukowski's unique writing style and his ability to capture the gritty realities of life.
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