'Big Hair' by David Lehman
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Ithaca, October 1993: Jorie went on a lingerie
tear, wanting to look like a moll
in a Chandler novel. Dinner, consisting of three parts gin
and one part lime juice cordial, was a prelude to her hair.
There are, she said, poems that can be written
only when the poet is clad in black underwear.
But that's Jorie for you. Always cracking wise, always where
the action is, the lights, and the sexy lingerie.
Poems, she said, were meant to be written
on the run, like ladders on the stockings of a gun moll
at a bar. Jorie had to introduce the other poet with the fabulous hair
that night. She'd have preferred to work out at the gym.
She'd have preferred to work out with Jim.
She'd have preferred to be anywhere
but here, where young men gawked at her hair
and old men swooned at the thought of her lingerie.
"If you've seen one, you've seen the moll,"
Jorie said when asked about C. "Everything she's written
is an imitation of E." Some poems can be written
only when the poet has fortified herself with gin.
Others come easily to one as feckless as Moll
Flanders. Jorie beamed. "It happened here,"
she said. She had worn her best lingerie,
and D. made the expected pass at her. "My hair
was big that night, not that I make a fetish of hair,
but some poems must not be written
by bald sopranos." That night she lectured on lingerie
to an enthusiastic audience of female gymnasts and gin-
drinking males. "Utopia," she said, "is nowhere."
This prompted one critic to declare that, of them all,
all the poets with hair, Jorie was the fairest moll.
The New York Times voted her "best hair."
Iowa City was said to be the place where
all aspiring poets went, their poems written
on water, with blanks instead of words, a tonic
of silence in the heart of noise, and a vision of lingerie
in the bright morning -- the lingerie to be worn by a moll
holding a tumbler of gin, with her hair
wet from the shower and her best poems waiting to be written.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Big Hair: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you ready to dive into the captivating world of David Lehman's poem, "Big Hair"? This classic piece of literature has been adored by many for its unique style, intriguing imagery, and complex themes. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's deeper meanings, analyze its literary devices, and offer our own insights into its significance.
Background Information
Before we delve deeper into the poem, let us first take a look at the background information that led to its creation. David Lehman, the author of "Big Hair," is a renowned American poet, literary critic, and editor. Born in 1948, Lehman has published numerous collections of poetry, essays, and criticism. His work has been praised for its humor, wit, and intelligence.
"Big Hair" was first published in Lehman's 1989 collection, "Operation Memory." The poem is a part of a series of poems that are inspired by popular culture icons and moments from the 1950s and 1960s. "Big Hair" specifically references the bouffant hairstyle that was popular among women during the 1960s. The poem is written in free verse and has a conversational tone.
Literary Devices
One of the most striking aspects of "Big Hair" is its use of literary devices. Lehman incorporates several poetic techniques to create a unique and captivating reading experience.
Imagery
One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is imagery. Lehman uses vivid descriptions to create a mental picture of the bouffant hairstyle. For example, he writes:
Big hair, my mother's hair, teased and sprayed and lacquered to rise six inches above her skull
Through this description, Lehman paints a picture of a woman with an exaggerated hairstyle that almost seems unreal. The use of words like "teased," "sprayed," and "lacquered" adds to the sense of excess and artificiality.
Metaphor
Another literary device used in "Big Hair" is metaphor. Lehman compares the bouffant hairstyle to a variety of objects, from a beehive to a helmet. For example, he writes:
A helmet of hair, a hive of hair, a hairdo to end all hairdos
These metaphors help to emphasize the surreal and almost comical nature of the hairstyle.
Repetition
Lehman also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. The phrase "big hair" is repeated throughout the poem, almost like a chant. This repetition helps to reinforce the importance of the bouffant hairstyle as a cultural icon.
Tone
Finally, the tone of the poem is another important literary device. Lehman's tone is conversational and almost nostalgic. He writes from a personal perspective, reminiscing about his mother and her hairstyle. This tone adds a layer of emotion and sentimentality to the poem.
Themes
Now that we have examined the literary devices used in "Big Hair," let us turn our attention to the themes of the poem. "Big Hair" explores several key themes, including:
Nostalgia
One of the most prominent themes in the poem is nostalgia. Lehman writes from a place of fond remembrance, recalling the days when the bouffant hairstyle was popular. The poem captures a sense of longing for a bygone era, when things were simpler and more innocent.
Femininity
Another important theme in the poem is femininity. The bouffant hairstyle was primarily worn by women, and it became a symbol of femininity during the 1960s. Lehman explores the cultural significance of this hairstyle and how it shaped perceptions of femininity at the time.
Consumerism
Finally, "Big Hair" touches on the theme of consumerism. The bouffant hairstyle required a great deal of time, money, and effort to maintain. Lehman comments on the excess and artificiality of this cultural trend, highlighting the ways in which consumer culture can shape our values and behaviors.
Significance
So, what is the significance of "Big Hair"? Why is this poem still important today? There are several reasons why this poem continues to resonate with readers.
Cultural Commentary
First and foremost, "Big Hair" is a cultural commentary. It offers a unique perspective on a moment in American history and the cultural trends that shaped that moment. Through the lens of the bouffant hairstyle, Lehman comments on larger issues related to femininity, consumerism, and nostalgia. This commentary is still relevant today, as we continue to grapple with these same issues in our own culture.
Personal Connection
"Big Hair" also has a personal connection for many readers. The poem captures a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era, and many readers may see themselves or their loved ones in Lehman's descriptions. This personal connection adds to the emotional resonance of the poem.
Literary Merit
Finally, "Big Hair" has literary merit in its own right. The poem is a masterful example of free verse, incorporating a range of poetic techniques to create a unique and captivating reading experience. It is a testament to Lehman's skill as a poet and his ability to capture complex ideas in simple, yet powerful language.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Big Hair" is a classic poem that continues to captivate readers today. Through its use of literary devices, exploration of key themes, and personal connection, the poem offers a unique perspective on a moment in American history and the cultural trends that shaped that moment. It is a testament to Lehman's skill as a poet and his ability to capture complex ideas in simple, yet powerful language. So, the next time you find yourself looking back on the past with a sense of nostalgia, remember the bouffant hairstyle and the cultural significance it once held.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Big Hair: A Poem of Nostalgia and Rebellion
David Lehman's poem "Big Hair" is a nostalgic and rebellious ode to the 1980s, a decade of excess and individualism. The poem captures the spirit of the era through its vivid imagery, playful language, and ironic tone. It celebrates the fashion, music, and attitude of the time while also critiquing its superficiality and consumerism. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of "Big Hair" and how they contribute to its overall meaning and impact.
The poem begins with a bold declaration: "Big hair was the rage / in the 80s." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with confident assertions and vivid descriptions. The speaker, who is presumably Lehman himself, reminisces about the hairstyles of the time, which were characterized by their volume, height, and flamboyance. He describes how women would "tease and spray their hair / to make it stand up like a dragon's crest," and how men would "mousse and blow-dry their locks / into a perfect wave." The language here is playful and exaggerated, reflecting the over-the-top nature of the fashion and beauty trends of the 80s.
As the poem progresses, the speaker shifts from describing the physical appearance of big hair to its cultural significance. He notes how big hair was a symbol of rebellion and individualism, a way for people to express themselves and stand out from the crowd. He writes, "Big hair was a way of saying / I am different, I am special, / I am not like the rest of you." This sentiment is echoed in the next stanza, where the speaker describes how big hair was a way for people to "defy gravity and convention / and the laws of nature." The language here is more serious and reflective, suggesting that big hair was more than just a fashion statement; it was a form of self-expression and defiance.
However, the poem does not shy away from critiquing the excesses of the 80s. The speaker notes how big hair was often accompanied by other forms of excess, such as "shoulder pads, neon colors, / and leg warmers." He also notes how the pursuit of big hair often involved the use of harmful chemicals and excessive amounts of hairspray, which had negative effects on both the environment and people's health. The language here is more critical and ironic, suggesting that while big hair was a symbol of rebellion and individualism, it was also a product of consumerism and conformity.
The structure of the poem reinforces its themes of nostalgia and rebellion. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which focuses on a different aspect of big hair: its physical appearance, its cultural significance, and its excesses. Each stanza is composed of short, punchy lines that are easy to read and remember. The use of enjambment, where a line runs into the next without punctuation, creates a sense of momentum and energy, reflecting the fast-paced and dynamic nature of the 80s. The poem also uses repetition and rhyme to create a sense of rhythm and musicality, which is fitting given the importance of music in the 80s.
The language of the poem is both playful and serious, reflecting the dual nature of big hair as both a fashion statement and a form of rebellion. The poem uses vivid imagery and metaphor to describe big hair, comparing it to a dragon's crest, a perfect wave, and a halo of light. These comparisons create a sense of wonder and awe, suggesting that big hair was a truly remarkable and unique phenomenon. However, the poem also uses more serious language to critique the excesses of the 80s, noting how big hair was often accompanied by other forms of excess and consumerism. The use of irony and sarcasm in lines such as "We were all in it together, / and we were all alone" suggests that while big hair was a symbol of individualism, it was also a product of conformity and isolation.
In conclusion, "Big Hair" is a nostalgic and rebellious poem that celebrates the excesses and individualism of the 80s while also critiquing its superficiality and consumerism. The poem uses vivid imagery, playful language, and ironic tone to capture the spirit of the era and its iconic hairstyle. The poem's structure and language reinforce its themes of nostalgia and rebellion, creating a sense of energy and momentum that reflects the fast-paced and dynamic nature of the 80s. Overall, "Big Hair" is a fun and thought-provoking poem that invites readers to reflect on the cultural significance of fashion and beauty trends.
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