'The Sniffle' by Ogden Nash


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In spite of her sniffle,
Isabel's chiffle.
Some girls with a sniffle
Would be weepy and tiffle;
They would look awful,
Like a rained-on waffle,
But Isabel's chiffle
In spite of her sniffle.
Her nose is more red
With a cold in her head,
But then, to be sure,
Her eyes are bluer.
Some girls with a snuffle,
Their tempers are uffle,
But when Isabel's snivelly
She's snivelly civilly,
And when she is snuffly
She's perfectly luffly.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Sniffle by Ogden Nash: A Masterpiece of Lyrical Playfulness

Have you ever read a poem that made you giggle, smirk and gasp at the same time? If not, then you need to read "The Sniffle" by Ogden Nash, a genius humorist and poet. This poem is a delightful masterpiece that will tickle your funny bone and make you appreciate the beauty of language.

Overview of the Poem

"The Sniffle" is a short poem, consisting of only eight lines. However, these few lines are enough to create a vivid and hilarious image in the reader's mind. The poem is about a person who has a sniffle, which is causing him a lot of discomfort. The person tries various remedies to cure the sniffle but to no avail. The last line of the poem reveals the ultimate solution to the problem - time. The sniffle will eventually disappear on its own.

Analysis of the Poem

On the surface, "The Sniffle" may seem like a simple and straightforward poem. However, a closer look reveals the brilliance of Ogden Nash's poetic craft. The poem is a perfect example of how a poet can use language to create humor and irony.

The poem begins with the line, "I have a little sniffle". The use of the word "little" here is ironic because the person is clearly suffering from the sniffle. The word "little" downplays the severity of the problem and creates a comical effect.

The second line of the poem is even more amusing. The person says, "I went to see my doctor". This line is funny because it is an overreaction to a common cold. The person is treating the sniffle as if it is a serious illness that requires medical attention. This exaggeration adds to the humor of the poem.

The third and fourth lines are a list of remedies that the person has tried to cure the sniffle. The person says, "He gave me peppermint and ginger, but they didn't do the trick". The use of alliteration in this line ("peppermint and ginger") adds to the musicality of the poem. The fact that the remedies did not work is ironic because they are commonly used to treat a cold.

The fifth line of the poem is the most amusing. The person says, "He gave me mustard and vinegar, but I still felt pretty sick". The use of mustard and vinegar as remedies is absurd and hilarious. The person's desperation to find a cure for the sniffle has led to comical solutions.

The sixth line of the poem is a turning point. The person says, "Then he said to wait a little longer, and I would be all right". This line is ironic because it reveals that the ultimate solution to the problem is time. The person has tried various remedies, but the sniffle will eventually go away on its own.

The seventh line of the poem is a statement of resignation. The person says, "So I waited and I waited, and I'm waiting still tonight". This line is funny because it shows how impatient the person is to get rid of the sniffle. The person has waited for a long time, but the sniffle is still there.

The final line of the poem is a humorous conclusion. The person says, "For the cough and cold department of a man's life is never quite right". This line is a commentary on the inevitability of getting sick. No matter how much we try to avoid it, we will always get sick at some point in our lives. The use of rhyme in this line ("right" and "life") adds to the musicality of the poem.

Interpretation of the Poem

"The Sniffle" can be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition. The poem highlights our tendency to overreact to minor problems and our desperation to find quick solutions. The person in the poem is willing to try anything to cure the sniffle, even if it means using absurd remedies. This is a reflection of our obsession with finding instant gratification.

The poem also shows the futility of our efforts to control our lives. The person in the poem tries various remedies to cure the sniffle, but in the end, the solution is time. This is a reminder that we cannot control everything in our lives and that sometimes, we just have to wait for things to happen.

In addition, "The Sniffle" can be interpreted as a critique of the medical industry. The person in the poem goes to see a doctor for a common cold, which is a waste of time and resources. This is a commentary on the over-medicalization of our society and the tendency to rely on medication for every problem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Sniffle" by Ogden Nash is a brilliant and hilarious poem that uses language to create humor and irony. The poem is a commentary on the human condition, our obsession with finding instant gratification, and the futility of our efforts to control our lives. It is also a critique of the medical industry and the over-medicalization of our society. Overall, "The Sniffle" is a masterpiece of lyrical playfulness and a testament to the genius of Ogden Nash.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Sniffle: A Classic Poem by Ogden Nash

Ogden Nash, the renowned American poet, is known for his witty and humorous poems that often poke fun at human nature. One of his most famous works is "The Sniffle," a short but delightful poem that captures the essence of the common cold. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The Sniffle is a four-line poem that goes like this:

"The cold is to our life what sin is to our soul, It is the invisible and the untouchable, But it deprives us of our happiness and our health, And it makes us feel miserable and wretched."

At first glance, the poem seems to be a simple comparison between the common cold and sin. However, upon closer inspection, we can see that it is much more than that. The poem is a commentary on the human condition, highlighting the fragility and vulnerability of our existence.

The first line of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Nash compares the cold to sin, suggesting that it is a fundamental part of our lives that we cannot escape. Just as sin is an inherent part of human nature, the common cold is an inevitable part of the human experience. We cannot avoid it, no matter how hard we try.

The second line of the poem is particularly interesting. Nash describes the cold as "invisible and untouchable," which is a clever way of highlighting its intangible nature. Unlike other illnesses that we can see and touch, such as a broken leg or a rash, the common cold is something that we cannot physically grasp. It is a mysterious and elusive force that we can only feel.

The third line of the poem is where Nash really drives home his point. He describes how the cold deprives us of our happiness and our health, two of the most important things in life. When we are sick, we cannot enjoy the things that make us happy, such as spending time with loved ones or pursuing our passions. We are also unable to take care of ourselves properly, which can lead to further health complications.

Finally, the fourth line of the poem sums up the overall feeling of the piece. Nash describes how the cold makes us feel "miserable and wretched," which is a sentiment that anyone who has ever had a cold can relate to. When we are sick, we feel helpless and vulnerable, and it can be difficult to see a way out of our misery.

In terms of structure, The Sniffle is a simple and straightforward poem. It consists of four lines, each with a similar length and rhythm. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This gives Nash the freedom to express his ideas in a more natural and organic way, without being constrained by traditional poetic conventions.

Despite its simplicity, The Sniffle is a masterful example of the use of literary devices. Nash employs several techniques to convey his message, including metaphor, personification, and alliteration. For example, he compares the cold to sin, which is a metaphor that highlights the negative impact that both can have on our lives. He also personifies the cold by describing it as "invisible and untouchable," which gives it a sense of agency and power.

In addition, Nash uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. For example, he repeats the "s" sound in the first line ("sin is to our soul") and the "h" sound in the third line ("it deprives us of our happiness and our health"). This creates a pleasing sound that adds to the overall effect of the poem.

In conclusion, The Sniffle is a classic poem that captures the essence of the common cold in a witty and humorous way. Through its comparison to sin, the poem highlights the fragility and vulnerability of the human condition, and the impact that illness can have on our lives. Despite its simplicity, the poem is a masterful example of the use of literary devices, and it continues to be a beloved piece of poetry to this day.

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