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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Dinner at Who's Who" by Laure-Anne Bosselaar is a poignant and introspective poem that delves into the themes of social pretense, personal vulnerability, and the yearning for genuine human connection. Through the setting of a sophisticated dinner party where guests engage in intellectual banter, Bosselaar explores the contrast between the superficial conversations that often dominate such gatherings and the deeper, more authentic interactions for which the speaker longs. The poem begins with a vivid depiction of the dinner party atmosphere, where "swirling wine and flickers of silver" set the stage for a night of cultured conversation, with guests quoting renowned thinkers and each other. This scene, however, serves as a backdrop for the speaker's sense of alienation and her desire to transcend the superficiality of the event. The speaker's retreat to the hall "after not / powdering my nose" symbolizes a moment of withdrawal from the performative aspect of the gathering, as she attempts to reconnect with her authentic self — "that woman who’ll / graciously take her place / at the table." This act of pausing in the hallway suggests a moment of introspection, a space between the public persona she presents and her inner reality. Bosselaar's inclusion of the speaker's voyeuristic exploration of the hosts' private spaces — their bedroom, closets, and personal items — further emphasizes the theme of seeking deeper understanding and connection. The speaker's actions reveal a curiosity about the lives behind the facades, an attempt to find something real and tangible amid the evening's orchestrated elegance. The reflection in the mirror becomes a metaphor for self-examination and the questioning of one's own authenticity. The "resilient / little smiles one smiles / at one’s self" capture the universal experience of facing one's reflection, contemplating the compromises and masks one adopts to navigate social situations. The poem reaches a crescendo with the speaker's internal plea to "Stop! Stop / our babble" and to engage in meaningful conversation about "our thirsts / and obsessions, our bedrooms / and closets, the brutes in our mirrors, / the eyes of our sons." This call to authenticity and vulnerability highlights the speaker's hunger not for the physical sustenance provided by the dinner but for emotional and spiritual nourishment through genuine connection and shared human experience. "Dinner at Who's Who" is a powerful meditation on the social rituals that often mask our deepest desires and fears, and the universal longing to be seen, understood, and accepted for who we truly are. Laure-Anne Bosselaar masterfully uses the setting of a dinner party as a metaphor for the broader human condition, inviting readers to reflect on their own yearnings for authenticity in a world that often values appearance over substance. POEM TEXT: https://silverbirchpress.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/dinner-at-the-whos-who-by-laure-anne-bosselaar/
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ALL THAT'S PAST by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE ON THE DEATH OF A FAIR INFANT DYING OF A COUGH by JOHN MILTON EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 25. ENVY ACCOMPANIES LOVE by PHILIP AYRES VERSES TO SOME FRIENDS RETURNING FROM THE SEA-SIDE by BERNARD BARTON THE INDIAN by ARTHUR STANLEY BOURINOT |
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