'Lines To Be Embroidered On A Bib' by Ogden Nash
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The Child Is Father Of The Man, But Not For Quite A While
So Thomas Edison
Never drank his medicine;
So Blackstone and Hoyle
Refused cod-liver oil;
So Sir Thomas Malory
Never heard of a calory;
So the Earl of Lennox
Murdered Rizzio without the aid of vitamins or calisthenox;
So Socrates and Plato
Ate dessert without finishing their potato;
So spinach was too spinachy
For Leonardo da Vinaci;
Well, it's all immaterial,
So eat your nice cereal,
And if you want to name your ration,
First go get a reputation.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Lines To Be Embroidered On A Bib" by Ogden Nash: A Playful and Poignant Critique of Motherhood
As a poem that is both humorous and heartfelt, "Lines To Be Embroidered On A Bib" by Ogden Nash captures the joys and challenges of motherhood in a way that is relatable and enduring. Through his clever use of language, Nash paints a picture of a mother's life that is both tender and honest, highlighting the many ways in which mothers give of themselves for the sake of their children. In this essay, I will provide a detailed analysis of the poem, exploring its themes, literary techniques, and overall impact.
Context and Background
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Ogden Nash was an American poet and humorist who lived from 1902 to 1971. He was known for his playful and witty style, which often involved wordplay and puns. Nash's work was popular in his time and remains so today, with many of his poems still being read and enjoyed by audiences of all ages.
"Lines To Be Embroidered On A Bib" was written in the early 1940s, during a time when motherhood was seen as the primary role for women in society. While this view is now considered outdated, it is important to remember that Nash's poem reflects the attitudes of his time. However, despite the traditional gender roles that were prevalent in the 1940s, Nash's portrayal of motherhood is refreshingly honest and empathetic.
Themes
The theme of motherhood is central to the poem, with Nash exploring the joys and challenges of raising children. He depicts a mother's life as one of sacrifice and love, with every moment spent caring for her child being a moment well spent. However, he also acknowledges the difficulties that come with being a mother, such as the lack of sleep and the constant demands on one's time and energy.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of growth and development. Nash describes how a child grows and changes over time, from the early days of infancy to the more independent stages of childhood. He also touches on the idea of personal growth, with the mother herself becoming wiser and more experienced as she navigates the challenges of motherhood.
Literary Techniques
One of the most striking features of Nash's poem is his use of language. He employs a range of literary techniques, including rhyme, alliteration, and repetition, to create a playful and memorable poem.
The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABB, with each stanza consisting of two rhyming couplets. This gives the poem a sing-song quality that is reminiscent of a nursery rhyme, adding to its playful tone. The use of alliteration, such as in the line "the truest love is indeed a wee toddling child," adds to the musicality of the poem and makes it more memorable.
Repetition is also used in the poem, with certain phrases being repeated across different stanzas. For example, the phrase "spit up and spills" is used in both the first and third stanzas, highlighting the messy nature of motherhood. The repeated use of the phrase "just a" also emphasizes the small, everyday moments that make up a mother's life, such as "just a kiss" or "just a smile."
Analysis
The poem begins with the line "The magic of motherhood is ascribed to wonders of a very special kind." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with Nash highlighting the special nature of motherhood. The use of the word "magic" suggests that motherhood is something that cannot be fully explained or understood, but is nonetheless powerful and transformative.
The first stanza goes on to describe the messiness of motherhood, with the line "spit up and spills are the mother's thrills." This is a humorous way of acknowledging the less glamorous aspects of motherhood, such as cleaning up after a baby who has just spit up. However, the use of the word "thrills" suggests that even the more unpleasant parts of motherhood can be rewarding in their own way.
The second stanza focuses on the growth and development of a child, with Nash describing how a baby goes from "gurgling to cooing to laughing aloud." The use of these verbs creates a sense of progression and movement, as if the child is constantly evolving and changing. The line "And the mother, poor dear, is always around to see and hear" highlights the mother's constant presence and attentiveness, emphasizing the sacrifices she makes for her child.
The third stanza returns to the messiness of motherhood, with Nash describing how a mother is always "wiping and washing and mopping up." This reinforces the idea that motherhood is hard work, but also suggests that it is a labor of love. The line "And she does it with love, and never a sigh or a grunt or a frown" depicts the mother as patient and selfless, willing to do whatever it takes to care for her child.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the idea of motherhood as a magical and special experience. The line "And what is more, the truest love is indeed a wee toddling child" suggests that the love between a mother and child is the purest and most genuine kind of love. The repetition of the phrase "just a" emphasizes the importance of the small moments that make up a mother's life, such as "just a kiss" or "just a hug."
Interpretation
At its core, "Lines To Be Embroidered On A Bib" is a tribute to the joys and challenges of motherhood. Nash's use of humor and wordplay makes the poem enjoyable to read, but it is also a poignant and empathetic portrayal of a mother's life. By highlighting the messy, exhausting, and rewarding aspects of motherhood, Nash shows us that being a mother is a complex and multifaceted experience.
The poem can also be read as a critique of the way in which society often undervalues the work of mothers. By depicting motherhood as a magical and transformative experience, Nash challenges the idea that motherhood is merely a domestic duty or a secondary role. Instead, he shows us that motherhood is a vital and important job, one that requires dedication, patience, and love.
In conclusion, "Lines To Be Embroidered On A Bib" is a charming and insightful poem that captures the essence of motherhood in a way that is both humorous and heartfelt. Through his clever use of language and playful tone, Nash highlights the joys and challenges of being a mother, while also critiquing the way in which society undervalues the work of mothers. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience, and it is sure to be enjoyed by readers for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Lines To Be Embroidered On A Bib: A Masterpiece of Humor and Satire
Ogden Nash, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century, was known for his witty and humorous poems that often poked fun at the absurdities of everyday life. Among his many works, "Lines To Be Embroidered On A Bib" stands out as a masterpiece of humor and satire, a short but brilliant piece that captures the essence of Nash's unique style and voice.
At first glance, "Lines To Be Embroidered On A Bib" appears to be a simple and innocent poem, a set of instructions for a mother or grandmother to embroider on a bib for a baby. The poem begins with the line "The baby is drowsing, the baby is dreaming," setting a peaceful and serene tone that seems to be in keeping with the gentle and nurturing image of a mother caring for her child. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that Nash has something else in mind.
The second line of the poem, "The fly's in the milk bottle, the poor dear is dying," introduces a note of dark humor that sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Nash's use of the word "dear" to describe the fly is both ironic and sarcastic, as it suggests a level of sympathy and compassion that is completely unwarranted for a common pest. The image of the dying fly in the milk bottle is both grotesque and absurd, a perfect example of the kind of twisted humor that Nash was known for.
As the poem continues, Nash's wit and satire become more and more apparent. He advises the embroiderer to "Make it a grave of green, not a gaudy nursery," suggesting that the bib should be decorated with a somber and serious design rather than a bright and cheerful one. This is a subtle commentary on the way that society often tries to shield children from the harsh realities of life, creating a false and idealized world that is far removed from the real world they will eventually have to face.
Nash's humor becomes even more biting in the next few lines, as he advises the embroiderer to "Let it be simple and frugal and clean," and to "Let it bear only the faintest trace of tears." These lines are a commentary on the way that society often places unrealistic expectations on mothers and grandmothers, expecting them to be perfect and flawless in their care for their children. Nash is suggesting that it is impossible to shield children from all of the pain and suffering in the world, and that it is better to be honest and straightforward about the realities of life.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most memorable and the most powerful. Nash advises the embroiderer to "Let it be slender and slight, as a bird's bone," and to "Let it be wordless as the flight of birds." These lines are a beautiful and poignant expression of the fragility and transience of life, a reminder that even the most precious and beloved things in life are fleeting and ephemeral. Nash is suggesting that the bib, like the baby it is meant to protect, is a delicate and precious thing that should be treated with care and reverence.
In conclusion, "Lines To Be Embroidered On A Bib" is a masterpiece of humor and satire, a short but brilliant poem that captures the essence of Ogden Nash's unique style and voice. Through his use of irony, sarcasm, and biting wit, Nash is able to comment on the absurdities and contradictions of everyday life, while also expressing a deep and abiding love for the fragile and fleeting beauty of the world around us. Whether read as a simple set of instructions for a mother or grandmother, or as a profound meditation on the nature of life and death, "Lines To Be Embroidered On A Bib" is a poem that will continue to delight and inspire readers for generations to come.
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