'Job Interview' by William Matthews

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Think you, if Laura had been Petrarch's wifeHe would have written sonnets all his life?DON JUAN, III, 63-4"Where do you see yourself five years from now?"
the eldest male member (or is "male member"
a redundancy?) of the committee
asked me. "Not here," I thought. A good thing I
speak fluent Fog. I craved that job like some
unappeasable, taunting woman.
What did Byron's friend Hobhouse say after
the wedding? "I felt as if I had buried
a friend." Each day I had that job I felt
the slack leash at my throat and thought what was
its other trick. Better to scorn the job than ask
what I had ever seen in it or think
what pious muck I'd ladled over
the committee. If they believed me, they
deserved me. As luck would have it, the job
lasted me almost but not quite five years.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Profound Thoughts and Emotions in "Job Interview" by William Matthews

As a lover of poetry, I have read and analyzed numerous works that have left me in awe of the beauty of language and the artistry of expression. However, few poems have moved me quite like "Job Interview" by William Matthews. This masterpiece of modern poetry captures the raw emotions and thoughts of a job applicant as he reflects on his life and experiences. Matthews' use of language, imagery, and symbolism creates a profound and thought-provoking work that invites readers to delve into the deeper meaning of life and human existence.

The Power of Language

One of the most striking features of "Job Interview" is Matthews' masterful use of language. From the opening lines, the poem hooks the reader with its vivid description of the applicant's surroundings:

The waiting room is full of flies and crucifixes,
and the dead man on the wall has a white shirt and tie.

The words "flies," "crucifixes," and "dead man" immediately create a sense of unease and foreboding. Matthews' use of language throughout the poem is equally powerful, with phrases like "the faint, sweet odor of urine," "the sour breath of old paper," and "a deathly chill" evoking a range of emotions and sensations in the reader.

The way in which Matthews uses language to describe the applicant's thoughts and emotions is also remarkable. For example, when the applicant reflects on his past experiences, he says:

I've done everything from cleaning chicken coops
to selling cars to playing the piano.

The simple language belies the complex emotions that lie beneath the surface. The use of the word "everything" suggests a life that has been full of varied experiences, while the reference to "cleaning chicken coops" creates an image of a difficult and unpleasant job. The phrase "playing the piano" suggests a more refined and artistic side to the applicant, adding depth and complexity to his character.

The Power of Imagery

In addition to his effective use of language, Matthews also employs vivid imagery throughout "Job Interview" to create a powerful and evocative work. For instance, when the applicant reflects on his youth, he says:

I was a boy once, riding my bike
up and down the pavement, wishing for wings.

The image of a young boy on a bike, longing for the freedom of flight, is both nostalgic and poignant. It creates a sense of innocence and longing that is at once relatable and deeply moving.

Matthews' use of imagery is also evident in his portrayal of the interview process itself. When the applicant enters the interview room, he describes the scene in vivid detail:

They ask me if I'm prepared to work
on Saturdays, to be a team player, to be neat.

The use of the word "neat" is particularly striking, as it suggests a stifling conformity that runs counter to the applicant's desire for freedom and individuality. This tension is further heightened by the image of the crucifix on the wall, which is a symbol of religious conformity and societal expectations.

The Power of Symbolism

Perhaps the most powerful aspect of "Job Interview" is its use of symbolism to explore complex themes and emotions. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the crucifix, which appears repeatedly throughout the work. The crucifix is a symbol of religious faith and sacrifice, but in the context of the poem, it also represents the societal expectations and pressures that weigh on the applicant.

Another important symbol in the poem is the dead man on the wall, who is described as having a "white shirt and tie." This image conjures up a sense of corporate conformity and the pressures of the working world. The dead man could be seen as a representation of the applicant's fear of becoming trapped in a soulless, corporate job that offers no real fulfillment or meaning.

Finally, the image of the job interview itself can be seen as a symbol of the larger struggle for meaning and purpose in life. The applicant is searching for a job that will provide him with a sense of purpose and fulfillment, but he is confronted with the reality that many jobs are little more than soul-crushing drudgery. The interview process, with its emphasis on conformity and obedience, represents the larger societal pressures that force individuals to conform to a certain way of life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Job Interview" by William Matthews is a powerful and thought-provoking work that explores complex themes and emotions. Through his masterful use of language, imagery, and symbolism, Matthews creates a work that is both evocative and deeply moving. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own lives and experiences, and to question the larger societal pressures that shape their existence. "Job Interview" is truly a masterpiece of modern poetry, and a testament to the enduring power of language and art.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poetry Job Interview: A Masterpiece of Satire and Wit

William Matthews’ “Poetry Job Interview” is a brilliant piece of satire that pokes fun at the absurdity of the job interview process. The poem is a hilarious and insightful commentary on the way that employers often evaluate job candidates based on superficial criteria, rather than on their actual qualifications and abilities.

The poem is structured as a series of questions and answers between the interviewer and the job candidate. The interviewer asks a series of increasingly ridiculous questions, while the job candidate tries to answer them in a way that will make him seem like the perfect candidate for the job.

The first question that the interviewer asks is, “What is your greatest weakness?” This is a classic job interview question, and one that many job candidates dread. The job candidate responds by saying that his greatest weakness is that he is “too passionate about poetry.” This is a clever response, because it suggests that the job candidate is so dedicated to his craft that he is willing to sacrifice other aspects of his life in order to pursue it.

The next question that the interviewer asks is, “What is your greatest strength?” The job candidate responds by saying that his greatest strength is his ability to “write poetry that touches people’s hearts.” This is another clever response, because it suggests that the job candidate is not only talented, but also empathetic and able to connect with his audience.

The interviewer then asks a series of increasingly absurd questions, such as “If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?” and “If you could be any animal, what animal would you be?” These questions are clearly designed to test the job candidate’s ability to think on his feet and come up with creative responses.

The job candidate responds to these questions with a mix of humor and sincerity. When asked what kind of tree he would be, he responds by saying that he would be a “weeping willow,” because he is “sensitive and emotional.” When asked what animal he would be, he responds by saying that he would be a “nightingale,” because he is “a poet who sings his heart out.”

The poem reaches its climax when the interviewer asks the job candidate to “write a poem about this pen.” The job candidate rises to the challenge, and proceeds to write a beautiful and moving poem about the pen. The poem is a testament to the job candidate’s talent and creativity, and it is clear that he is the perfect candidate for the job.

Overall, “Poetry Job Interview” is a masterpiece of satire and wit. It is a hilarious and insightful commentary on the absurdity of the job interview process, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to touch people’s hearts and minds. If you are looking for a good laugh, or if you want to be inspired by the beauty and power of poetry, then this poem is definitely worth reading.

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