Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | ||||||||
"San Jose Symphony Reception" is a poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, first published in his book "Wild Dreams of a New Beginning; Including Landscapes of Living & Dying & Who Are We Now?" in 1988. It was later included in his collection "These Are My Rivers: New & Selected Poems, 1955-1993" in 1993. Explanation: The poem is about the experience of attending a symphony reception in San Jose, California. The speaker describes a bald man playing the harpsichord in plaid clothing, and the guests sipping wine and nibbling on hors d'oeuvres. The speaker observes the crowd with a critical eye, noting their pretentiousness and self-importance. The poem ends with the speaker questioning the value of attending such events, suggesting that they are empty and meaningless. Poetic Elements:
Conclusion: "San Jose Symphony Reception" is a satirical poem that critiques the pretentiousness and self-importance of the guests at a symphony reception. Through vivid imagery and a critical tone, the poem suggests that such events are empty and meaningless. Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AFTER A VISIT by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 63 by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN FOR LOVE'S SAKE, KISS ME ONCE AGAIN! by BEN JONSON VENUS OF THE LOUVRE by EMMA LAZARUS HOW THE CUMBERLAND WENT DOWN [MARCH 8, 1862] by SILAS WEIR MITCHELL |
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