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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
In "The Party," William Matthews paints a vivid and playful scene through the eyes of a six-year-old child. The poem begins with a humorous and somewhat dismissive remark about the perceived incompetence of the younger generation at a seemingly mundane task: "I don't care if nobody / under forty can hang a door / properly." This line sets a casual, conversational tone and establishes the speaker's childlike perspective, unconcerned with adult preoccupations. The speaker, feeling bored at a party, turns their attention to the kitchen, where Lavada, an older woman, is plucking a turkey. The description of the turkey as "crumpled / and turned inside out" with holes emphasizes the grotesque yet mundane nature of the task, seen through the curious and imaginative eyes of a child. The image suggests a mixture of fascination and mild horror, typical of a child's reaction to unfamiliar or intense sights. The child's spontaneous joy is captured in the physical expression of throwing "skinny arms in the air" and giggling, a reaction that contrasts sharply with the more solemn task Lavada is performing. The poem introduces a poignant awareness of time with the line "It's ten years to Lavada's heart / attack and sixty to mine." This acknowledgment of future mortality contrasts with the present moment's carefree nature, subtly underscoring the innocence and ignorance of youth regarding life's temporal nature. Lavada, described as "Black overweight," adds a cultural and physical specificity to the scene. Her action of tucking a feather in her hair and dancing with the child introduces a moment of joy and connection. The description of her "triceps / wobbling like charred wattles" brings a vivid, tactile quality to her movement, highlighting her physical presence and the shared laughter that ensues. The poem reaches a joyful climax as they dance and laugh together, their laughter intense enough to cause their "jawbones [to] sting." The simile comparing this sensation to drinking "mossy / cold, rust-flecked water / from the bottom of the well" evokes a deep, earthy, and slightly uncomfortable sensation, suggesting a mix of raw, unfiltered joy and the sharp pangs of laughter. This imagery enhances the sense of authenticity and vividness in their shared experience. Overall, "The Party" captures a fleeting yet profound moment of connection and joy between a child and an adult, juxtaposing the innocence of youth with the foreshadowed realities of aging and mortality. The poem highlights the spontaneous, unguarded nature of a child's world and the simple pleasures found in moments of shared laughter and play. Through rich, tactile imagery and a conversational tone, Matthews conveys a snapshot of life that is both tender and poignant, celebrating the small, joyful moments that define human experience.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE THREE CHILDREN by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN CHILDREN SELECTING BOOKS IN A LIBRARY by RANDALL JARRELL COME TO THE STONE ... by RANDALL JARRELL THE LOST WORLD by RANDALL JARRELL A SICK CHILD by RANDALL JARRELL CONTINENT'S END by ROBINSON JEFFERS ON THE DEATH OF FRIENDS IN CHILDHOOD by DONALD JUSTICE THE POET AT SEVEN by DONALD JUSTICE |
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