Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Applying for a Loan with the Help of the Dictionary of Occup. Titles" is a poem by David Wagoner, an American poet known for his works that explore themes of nature, spirituality, and the human experience. "Applying for a Loan with the Help of the Dictionary of Occup. Titles" was first published in 1976 in Wagoner's collection of poems titled "Who Shall Be the Sun."

Explanation:

"Applying for a Loan with the Help of the Dictionary of Occup. Titles" is a satirical and humorous poem that explores the absurdity of modern bureaucracy and the dehumanizing effects of a world driven by economic interests. The poem describes the speaker's experience of applying for a loan, and the absurdity of the bureaucratic process that he must navigate in order to receive the money he needs. The poem also touches on the idea that human beings are reduced to mere statistics and job titles in a world where economic interests dominate.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse with no consistent rhyme or meter
• Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the bureaucratic process and the speaker's experience of it
• Tone: Satirical and humorous tone that highlights the absurdity of modern bureaucracy and the dehumanizing effects of a world driven by economic interests
• Irony: Use of irony to highlight the gap between the speaker's experience of the bureaucratic process and the supposed efficiency of the system.

Conclusion:

"Applying for a Loan with the Help of the Dictionary of Occup. Titles" is a powerful and satirical poem that challenges us to confront the absurdity and dehumanizing effects of modern bureaucracy. Through the use of vivid imagery, tone, and irony, the poem portrays the bureaucratic process as a dehumanizing and inefficient system that reduces human beings to mere statistics and job titles. The poem invites us to question the values of a society that prioritizes economic interests over human well-being, and to cultivate a deep sense of compassion and empathy for ourselves and others.

Poem Snippet:

I filled in my name, my address, my phone number

And then the name of my employer,

With the usual lies about how long I'd been there

And how much they paid me.

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