'Song To Be Sung By The Father Of Infant Female Children' by Ogden Nash
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My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky;
Contrariwise, my blood runs cold
When little boys go by.
For little boys as little boys,
No special hate I carry,
But now and then they grow to men,
And when they do, they marry.
No matter how they tarry,
Eventually they marry.
And, swine among the pearls,
They marry little girls.
Oh, somewhere, somewhere, an infant plays,
With parents who feed and clothe him.
Their lips are sticky with pride and praise,
But I have begun to loathe him.
Yes, I loathe with loathing shameless
This child who to me is nameless.
This bachelor child in his carriage
Gives never a thought to marriage,
But a person can hardly say knife
Before he will hunt him a wife.
I never see an infant (male),
A-sleeping in the sun,
Without I turn a trifle pale
And think is he the one?
Oh, first he'll want to crop his curls,
And then he'll want a pony,
And then he'll think of pretty girls,
And holy matrimony.
A cat without a mouse
Is he without a spouse.
Oh, somewhere he bubbles bubbles of milk,
And quietly sucks his thumbs.
His cheeks are roses painted on silk,
And his teeth are tucked in his gums.
But alas the teeth will begin to grow,
And the bubbles will cease to bubble;
Given a score of years or so,
The roses will turn to stubble.
He'll sell a bond, or he'll write a book,
And his eyes will get that acquisitive look,
And raging and ravenous for the kill,
He'll boldly ask for the hand of Jill.
This infant whose middle
Is diapered still
Will want to marry My daughter Jill.
Oh sweet be his slumber and moist his middle!
My dreams, I fear, are infanticiddle.
A fig for embryo Lohengrins!
I'll open all his safety pins,
I'll pepper his powder, and salt his bottle,
And give him readings from Aristotle.
Sand for his spinach I'll gladly bring,
And Tabasco sauce for his teething ring.
Then perhaps he'll struggle though fire and water
To marry somebody else's daughter.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Song To Be Sung By The Father Of Infant Female Children
Ogden Nash, a renowned American poet, is the author of the poem "Song To Be Sung By The Father Of Infant Female Children." The poem, written in 1932, is a satirical piece that pokes fun at the expectations and stereotypes surrounding the upbringing of female children.
Poem Summary
The poem is a conversation between a father and his infant daughter. The father is addressing his daughter directly and advising her on how to behave as a female child. The father's advice is both humorous and ironic.
In the first stanza, the father advises his daughter to be gentle, sweet, and kind. He tells her to be "a lady from her shoes up to her hat." The father acknowledges that this is a societal expectation, but also recognizes that it is an unrealistic one.
In the second stanza, the father advises his daughter on how to deal with men. He tells her to be coy and play hard to get. He also advises her to be "neat" and "sweet" but not too "sweet."
The third stanza is the father's advice on marriage. He tells his daughter to find a man who is wealthy and successful. He also advises her not to marry for love but to marry for money.
The final stanza is the father's acknowledgement that his daughter will not follow his advice. He tells her to be true to herself and to be happy.
Literary Criticism
"Song To Be Sung By The Father Of Infant Female Children" is a satirical poem that critiques the societal expectations placed on female children. The poem is a commentary on the societal norms of the time that expected women to be gentle, sweet, and submissive.
The poem is written in a conversational style that makes it accessible to a wide audience. The use of humor and irony adds to the poem's accessibility and makes it an enjoyable read.
Nash's use of sarcasm and wit is evident throughout the poem. For example, when the father advises his daughter to be a "lady from her shoes up to her hat," he acknowledges that it is an unrealistic expectation. The use of humor and irony highlights the absurdity of the societal expectations placed on women.
The poem's structure is simple, with four stanzas of equal length. Each stanza focuses on a different aspect of the societal expectations placed on women. The structure allows the poem to flow smoothly and makes it easy to follow.
Nash's use of language is simple and straightforward, which adds to the poem's accessibility. The poem is written in plain language, which makes it easy to understand.
Interpretation
"Song To Be Sung By The Father Of Infant Female Children" is a poem that challenges the societal expectations placed on women. The poem is a commentary on the societal norms of the time that expected women to be gentle, sweet, and submissive.
The poem is written from the perspective of a father, who is advising his daughter on how to behave as a female child. The father's advice is both humorous and ironic. He acknowledges the societal expectations placed on women but also recognizes that they are unrealistic.
The father's advice on how to deal with men is particularly interesting. He advises his daughter to be coy and play hard to get. This advice is a commentary on the societal expectation that women should be passive and let men pursue them. The father is challenging this expectation and encouraging his daughter to be more assertive.
The father's advice on marriage is also noteworthy. He tells his daughter to find a man who is wealthy and successful. He advises her not to marry for love but to marry for money. This advice is a commentary on the societal expectation that women should marry for financial security. The father is challenging this expectation and encouraging his daughter to find her own happiness.
The final stanza is the father's acknowledgement that his daughter will not follow his advice. He tells her to be true to herself and to be happy. This stanza is a commentary on the importance of individuality and self-expression. The father is encouraging his daughter to be true to herself and not to conform to societal expectations.
Conclusion
"Song To Be Sung By The Father Of Infant Female Children" is a satirical poem that critiques the societal expectations placed on women. The poem is a commentary on the societal norms of the time that expected women to be gentle, sweet, and submissive.
The poem challenges these expectations by using humor and irony to highlight their absurdity. The father's advice to his daughter is both humorous and ironic. He acknowledges the societal expectations placed on women but also recognizes that they are unrealistic.
The poem's accessibility is due to its simple structure and plain language. The use of humor and irony adds to the poem's accessibility and makes it an enjoyable read.
Overall, "Song To Be Sung By The Father Of Infant Female Children" is a thought-provoking poem that challenges societal norms and encourages individuality and self-expression.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Song To Be Sung By The Father Of Infant Female Children: A Classic Poem by Ogden Nash
Ogden Nash, the American poet, humorist, and satirist, is known for his witty and whimsical poems that often poke fun at human foibles and the absurdities of life. One of his most famous works is the poem "Song To Be Sung By The Father Of Infant Female Children," which is a humorous take on the joys and challenges of raising baby girls.
At first glance, the poem may seem like a simple and lighthearted piece of verse, but upon closer examination, it reveals a deeper commentary on gender roles and societal expectations. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in the poem and examine how they contribute to its overall meaning and impact.
The poem opens with the speaker addressing fathers of infant female children, saying "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, / I have the honor to address you / And I hope to please." This opening sets the tone for the poem, which is playful and irreverent, but also suggests that the speaker is making a case for something.
The first stanza of the poem focuses on the physical appearance of baby girls, describing them as "cute" and "dainty" with "little hands" and "little feet." The speaker then goes on to say that baby girls are "born to be admired and adored," suggesting that they are objects of beauty and affection rather than active agents in their own lives.
However, the second stanza takes a more critical tone, as the speaker acknowledges the challenges of raising girls in a society that places a premium on male children. He says, "But gentlemen of the jury, there's one thing I must say, / Though you may think me a fuddy-duddy, / Little girls are just as good as little boys any day." This statement challenges the traditional gender roles that assign greater value and importance to male children, and suggests that girls are just as capable and deserving of love and respect.
The third stanza of the poem continues this theme, as the speaker describes the many talents and abilities that baby girls possess. He says that they can "dance and sing and whistle and play," and that they have "brains and hearts and souls." This emphasis on the intelligence and creativity of girls challenges the stereotype that girls are only interested in traditionally feminine pursuits like cooking and sewing.
The fourth stanza of the poem takes a more humorous turn, as the speaker imagines the future of his baby girl. He says that she will grow up to be a "queen" who will "rule the world with grace and ease," and that she will have "a husband who adores her and a family of her own." This vision of a successful and fulfilled life for his daughter is both aspirational and tongue-in-cheek, as the speaker acknowledges the challenges that women face in achieving equality and success in a male-dominated world.
The final stanza of the poem brings the themes of the poem full circle, as the speaker returns to the physical beauty of baby girls. He says that they are "little bundles from heaven above," and that they are "born to be loved." This closing statement reinforces the idea that baby girls are objects of beauty and affection, but also suggests that they are deserving of love and respect for who they are, not just for their appearance.
Throughout the poem, Nash uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message and create a playful and engaging tone. He uses rhyme and repetition to create a sing-song rhythm that mimics the playful nature of the poem. For example, the repeated use of the phrase "little hands" and "little feet" in the first stanza creates a sense of rhythm and repetition that draws the reader in.
Nash also uses humor and irony to subvert traditional gender roles and challenge societal expectations. For example, the line "Little girls are just as good as little boys any day" in the second stanza is a humorous and ironic statement that challenges the idea that boys are inherently better or more valuable than girls.
In conclusion, "Song To Be Sung By The Father Of Infant Female Children" is a classic poem that uses humor and irony to challenge traditional gender roles and celebrate the beauty and potential of baby girls. Through its playful tone and use of literary devices, the poem encourages us to rethink our assumptions about gender and to recognize the value and worth of all children, regardless of their sex.
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