Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

The Shameful Profession" by James Laughlin is a short poem that explores the sense of shame that comes from being part of a profession that is considered to be exploitative or unethical. The poem is structured around a contrast between the ordinary work of lawyers and doctors and the speaker's own feelings of guilt and embarrassment.

The poem is characterized by a simple and straightforward language that emphasizes the speaker's sense of shame. The repetition of "the lawyers and the doctors" emphasizes the mundanity of their work and suggests that their professions are nothing special. However, the speaker's use of the phrase "poor devils" suggests that he feels sorry for himself and others like him who are part of these professions.

The poem's title, "The Shameful Profession," emphasizes the sense of guilt and humiliation that the speaker feels. The use of the definite article suggests that there is only one profession that is shameful, and the poem implies that it is the legal and medical professions. However, the speaker's use of the first-person perspective suggests that he is also implicating himself in this shame.

Overall, "The Shameful Profession" is a brief but powerful poem that uses simple language to convey complex emotions. The poem's theme of shame and guilt is universal and can be applied to many different professions or situations.

Poem Snippet:

"The lawyers and the doctors

are here again to-day,

to earn their daily wages

in the same accustomed way."

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...