Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Literary," by Kenneth Fearing, is a satirical critique of the commodification of literature and the hollow promises of the literary industry. Through a blend of prose and verse, Fearing exposes the commercialization of creativity and the superficial nature of literary marketing, where art is reduced to a mere product and genuine expression is replaced by formulaic slogans.

The poem begins with a sardonic declaration: "I sing of simple people and the hardier virtues, by Associated Stuffed Shirts & Company, Incorporated, 358 West 42d Street, New York, brochure enclosed." The phrase "I sing of simple people" parodies traditional literary themes, while "Associated Stuffed Shirts & Company, Incorporated" mocks corporate publishers that prioritize profit over artistic integrity. The inclusion of the address and "brochure enclosed" reinforces the corporate marketing tone, emphasizing how literature has been commodified.

Fearing continues the satire with "of Christ on the Cross, by a visitor to Calvary, first class / art deals with eternal, not current verities, revised from last week's Sunday supplement." Here, he critiques the recycling of religious themes in a commercialized and superficial manner. The phrase "first class art deals with eternal, not current verities" mocks the pretentiousness of literary marketing that claims timeless value while rehashing themes from "last week's Sunday supplement."

The next line, "guess what we mean, in The Literary System, and a thousand noble answers to a thousand empty questions, by a patriot who needs the dough," further critiques the disingenuous nature of the literary world. "The Literary System" represents the industry itself, and "a thousand noble answers to a thousand empty questions" highlights the emptiness of formulaic responses often provided in popular literature. The "patriot who needs the dough" is a cynical nod to writers who compromise their integrity for financial gain.

Fearing sums up the state of the industry with a resigned statement: "And so it goes." This phrase implies that the commodification of literature is an ongoing and unchanging issue, almost accepted as the norm.

The poem then shifts to a series of slogans that reflect the marketing clichés of the literary world: "Books are the key to magic portals. Knowledge is power. Give the people light." These phrases, though inspirational on the surface, are presented ironically to emphasize their superficiality and lack of substance. They reveal how literature is marketed as a tool for enlightenment while often failing to deliver meaningful insight.

The line "Writing must be such a nice profession" is a sarcastic comment on the romanticization of writing. It mocks the perception of writing as an easy and fulfilling career while ignoring the challenges and compromises faced by writers in a commercialized industry.

Fearing concludes the poem with a call to action: "Fill in the coupon. How do you know? Maybe you can be a writer, too." This final line mirrors the language of writing courses or self-help books that promise success to aspiring writers. By presenting it as a sales pitch, Fearing highlights the exploitation of dreams and aspirations for profit.

Structurally, "Literary" is written in free verse, allowing Fearing to seamlessly blend different tones and styles. The mixture of prose and verse reflects the fragmentation of the literary industry itself, where artistic integrity often clashes with commercial interests. The use of satire and irony throughout the poem emphasizes Fearing's critique of the commodification of literature.

In "Literary," Kenneth Fearing offers a scathing critique of the commercialization of literature and the superficiality of the literary industry. By exposing the marketing clichés and hollow promises that pervade the world of writing, Fearing challenges readers to question the authenticity of the literary establishment and to seek out genuine artistic expression amid the noise of commercial slogans. The poem ultimately serves as a call for integrity and sincerity in a world where creativity is often reduced to a product for sale.

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