'The Clean Plater' by Ogden Nash
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Some singers sing of ladies' eyes,
And some of ladies lips,
Refined ones praise their ladylike ways,
And course ones hymn their hips.
The Oxford Book of English Verse
Is lush with lyrics tender;
A poet, I guess, is more or less
Preoccupied with gender.
Yet I, though custom call me crude,
Prefer to sing in praise of food.
Food,
Yes, food,
Just any old kind of food.
Pheasant is pleasant, of course,
And terrapin, too, is tasty,
Lobster I freely endorse,
In pate or patty or pasty.
But there's nothing the matter with butter,
And nothing the matter with jam,
And the warmest greetings I utter
To the ham and the yam and the clam.
For they're food,
All food,
And I think very fondly of food.
Through I'm broody at times
When bothered by rhymes,
I brood
On food.
Some painters paint the sapphire sea,
And some the gathering storm.
Others portray young lambs at play,
But most, the female form.
“Twas trite in that primeval dawn
When painting got its start,
That a lady with her garments on
Is Life, but is she Art?
By undraped nymphs
I am not wooed;
I'd rather painters painted food.
Food,
Just food,
Just any old kind of food.
Go purloin a sirloin, my pet,
If you'd win a devotion incredible;
And asparagus tips vinaigrette,
Or anything else that is edible.
Bring salad or sausage or scrapple,
A berry or even a beet.
Bring an oyster, an egg, or an apple,
As long as it's something to eat.
If it's food,
It's food;
Never mind what kind of food.
When I ponder my mind
I consistently find
It is glued
On food.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Clean Plater: A Masterpiece of Satire and Irony
Ogden Nash's poem "The Clean Plater" is a masterpiece of satire and irony that captures the absurdity of human behavior and the contradictions of modern life. In just twelve lines, Nash manages to expose the hypocrisy of our cultural values and the way we deceive ourselves.
The Poem: A Quick Overview
Before we dive into a detailed analysis, let's first take a quick look at the poem itself:
Some singers sing of ladies’ eyes,
And some of ladies lips,
Refined ones praise their ladylike ways,
And course ones hymn their hips.
The Oxford Book of English Verse
Is lush with lyrics tender;
A poet, I guess, is more or less
A lover, or a blender.
My rapturous muse is no man’s skull,
And bears no baseball bat,
She takes no heed of prison-yard,
Nor seeks the cover of Sunday hat.
Foul words, alas, and fisticuffs
Are so removed from her,
I know not if she’s sentient,
Or just a semi-abstract blur.
Angel or devil, servant or master,
I know not which she is,
But, in truth, she is neither.
She’s only an etching—his.
At first glance, the poem seems to be a playful and whimsical tribute to the art of poetry. But as we dig deeper, we realize that Nash is using his wit and humor to criticize the society we live in.
Satire and Irony
Satire and irony are the two literary devices that Nash uses masterfully in "The Clean Plater." Satire is a form of humor that exposes the flaws and vices of society, while irony is the use of language to express the opposite of what is expected.
In "The Clean Plater," Nash uses satire to criticize the way we value certain things in life, such as refinement and beauty, while we ignore other things that are equally important, such as honesty and integrity. He also uses irony to point out the hypocrisy of our behavior, such as our tendency to appear virtuous while we secretly indulge in vices.
The Theme of Deception
One of the main themes of "The Clean Plater" is deception. Throughout the poem, Nash implies that our society is full of people who deceive themselves and others, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
For example, in the first stanza, Nash mocks the way some poets praise the beauty of women's eyes and lips, while others praise their ladylike ways or their hips. He suggests that these poets are not really interested in the women themselves, but in their physical attributes.
Similarly, in the second stanza, Nash makes fun of the way we use poetry to create an image of ourselves that is often far from reality. He suggests that poets are not really in love with their muses, but are simply using them as a source of inspiration.
In the third stanza, Nash ridicules the way we try to appear virtuous by avoiding foul language and violence, while we secretly indulge in these vices. He suggests that our behavior is often hypocritical and that we deceive ourselves into believing that we are better than we really are.
The Title: A Metaphor for Life
The title of the poem, "The Clean Plater," is a metaphor for life. It suggests that we should strive to live our lives to the fullest and not waste anything. It also implies that we should be honest with ourselves and others and not deceive them.
The phrase "clean plater" is often used to describe a person who eats everything on their plate, indicating that they are not wasteful. In the context of the poem, it means that we should not waste our lives by living in a state of deception and hypocrisy.
The Role of Poetry
Another theme of "The Clean Plater" is the role of poetry in our lives. Nash suggests that poetry should be more than just a source of entertainment or inspiration. It should also be a means of self-reflection and self-awareness.
Nash implies that poetry can help us see ourselves and our society more clearly. It can expose the flaws and contradictions of our behavior and help us become more honest and authentic.
The Use of Humor
One of the reasons why "The Clean Plater" is such an effective poem is because it uses humor to convey its message. Nash's wit and clever wordplay make the poem entertaining and engaging, while at the same time exposing the absurdity of our behavior.
For example, in the first stanza, Nash's use of the word "hymn" to describe the way some poets praise women's hips is both humorous and ironic, as it suggests that these poets are worshipping something that is not worthy of such devotion.
Similarly, in the third stanza, Nash's use of the phrase "foul words and fisticuffs" to describe the vices that we try to avoid is both humorous and ironic, as it suggests that these things are an integral part of our nature and cannot be avoided.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Clean Plater" is a masterful work of satire and irony that exposes the hypocrisy and deception of our society. It uses humor and wit to convey a powerful message about the importance of honesty and self-awareness.
Nash's use of metaphor, irony, and wordplay make the poem entertaining and engaging, while at the same time exposing the flaws and vices of our behavior. It is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today, reminding us that we should strive to live our lives with honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Clean Plater: A Poem of Food and Waste
Ogden Nash, the American poet, humorist, and satirist, was known for his witty and whimsical verses that often poked fun at human foibles and the absurdities of modern life. One of his most famous poems, "The Clean Plater," is a clever and comical commentary on our relationship with food and the problem of waste.
At first glance, the poem seems like a simple and straightforward ode to the joys of eating and the satisfaction of finishing a meal. It begins with the lines:
"Some singers sing of ladies' eyes, And some of ladies lips, Refined ones praise their ladylike ways, And course ones hymn their hips."
Here, Nash sets the stage for his playful and irreverent tone, using a traditional poetic form to introduce a subject that is anything but traditional. He then goes on to describe the pleasures of a good meal, using vivid and sensory language to evoke the tastes, smells, and textures of the food:
"Your praise the firm unbending spine, Whose powers it puts to proof, While I more humbly sing the praise Of the sturdy 'Clean Plater,'"
Here, Nash celebrates the virtues of a hearty appetite and a willingness to eat everything on one's plate, no matter how filling or challenging the meal may be. He praises the "sturdy Clean Plater" who can devour even the toughest and most unappetizing dishes with gusto and relish.
But as the poem progresses, Nash's tone becomes more ironic and critical, as he begins to question the wisdom and morality of our food culture. He notes that while we may take pride in our ability to eat everything on our plates, we often waste vast amounts of food in the process:
"Some folks eat to live, and some folks live to eat; But I'll tell you I have had my fun, If I never eat again."
Here, Nash suggests that our obsession with food and our desire to consume as much as possible may be misguided and ultimately self-destructive. He points out that many people eat not for pleasure or sustenance, but simply out of habit or compulsion, and that this can lead to a dangerous cycle of overeating and waste.
Nash's critique of our food culture is especially relevant today, as we face a growing crisis of food waste and environmental degradation. According to a recent report by the United Nations, one-third of all food produced in the world is lost or wasted, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and other environmental problems.
In light of this, "The Clean Plater" can be seen as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the importance of mindful eating and responsible consumption. It urges us to appreciate the value of food and to avoid the trap of mindless consumption and waste.
Overall, "The Clean Plater" is a delightful and thought-provoking poem that combines humor, irony, and social commentary in a unique and memorable way. It challenges us to rethink our relationship with food and to consider the impact of our choices on ourselves and the world around us. As Nash himself once said, "Some of us are born to eat, and some of us are born to be eaten." Let us choose wisely.
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