Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Salutation the Third," Ezra Pound once again takes on the role of an iconoclast, targeting institutions, critics, and the stifling nature of society in an endeavor to revolutionize the world of letters. Notably, Pound sets his sights on "The Times" and its "gagged reviewers," a symbol for mainstream media and critics that, according to him, are resistant to change and innovation. The poem works as a denunciation of the suppression of "free speech and good letters," but also serves as an assertion of the poet's determination to not conform to societal pressures.

The poem opens with a scathing, sardonic laugh-"GUFFAW!"-aimed at deriding the complacency and "smugness" of established institutions. These are described as not only dismissive of "newness," or innovation in art and thought, but as actively oppressive. In lines like "These are they who objected to newness, Here are their tomb-stones," Pound conjures the image of these critics as already dead, their opposition fossilized and irrelevant.

Pound's disdain is not confined to media or critics but extends to those he sees as "obstructionists" in society, individuals who inhibit the free flow of ideas. He uses harsh terms such as "fungus" and "continuous gangrene" to denote the parasitic and deteriorative roles these entities play. The choice of medical terminology creates a sense of urgency; this is not merely an inconvenience but a threat to the health of society.

Interestingly, the poem does not wallow in critique alone but calls for a "new deal," a term that inherently implies a renegotiation of societal contracts and a restructuring of priorities. This phrase evokes the possibility of action, of initiating change, inviting the reader to "go out in the air a bit"-perhaps a metaphor for the need for fresh perspectives and a break from old systems.

While the poem works as a critique of society's limitations, it also serves as a personal manifesto for the poet. In lines like "Perhaps you will have the pleasure of defiling my pauper's grave; I wish you joy, I proffer you all my assistance," Pound both acknowledges the risk of his position and dismisses the potential consequences. He remains defiant, stating that he won't go mad or die young to become another romanticized case of a misunderstood genius. He is resolute in his intent to "stick it out," to endure whatever challenges arise from his confrontations with a regressive society.

Toward the end, Pound confronts his detractors more directly, stating that many move "with suspicion," but are "Afraid to say that they hate you." Here, Pound uncovers the hypocrisy of his critics-people who are silently resentful but outwardly conformist, whose antagonism is passive. And for those, he offers "the taste of my boot," a vivid image of contempt and defiance.

In "Salutation the Third," Ezra Pound pulls no punches in his critique of a society that he views as deeply flawed, hostile to change, and regressive in its tastes. He identifies the stagnancy in mainstream thought, critiques it, and-crucially-positions himself as a persistent challenger to that stagnancy. He declares, through fervent imagery and defiant tone, that he will not be another artist crushed by societal pressures but one who survives, and perhaps thrives, in opposition to them.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...