Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Obituary," by Kenneth Fearing, is a satirical critique of the commercialization and impersonality of modern society. Fearing explores how the material world overshadows human life, reducing a man's death to a mere incident while highlighting the indifference and opportunism that accompany it. Through dark humor and biting irony, Fearing creates a chilling portrait of society's disregard for individual lives, revealing a world where commercial interests and institutional relationships replace genuine human connections.

The poem opens with the direct and detached command: "Take him away, he's as dead as they die." This stark statement immediately sets the tone, implying the routine nature of death in the urban environment. The sound of the "ambulance bell" and the man's "eyes staring straight at death" underscore the finality of his demise, while Fearing directs the reader's attention to the aftermath: "Look at the fingers growing stiff, touch the face already cold, see the stars in the sky, look at the stains on the street." These visceral images convey both the physical reality of death and the public spectacle it creates.

The poem then turns to the immediate cause of death: "Look at the ten-ton truck that came rolling along fast and stretched him out cold." The man's death is reduced to a simple fact, and the crowd is quickly directed to move on after his pockets are turned out. The interaction between the sergeant and the unnamed individuals highlights the impersonal bureaucracy surrounding death: "Sergeant, what was his name? What's the driver's name? What's your name, sergeant?" The repetition of questions emphasizes the lack of personal identity and the prioritization of procedure over compassion.

Fearing continues with a grim inventory of the man's possessions: "Go through his clothes, take out the cigars, the money, the papers, the keys, take everything there is." Each item is systematically distributed to various commercial entities, which are ironically presented as his "true-blue friends." The dollar and a half are given to "Standard Oil," and the flat key is handed over to the "D.A.R." (Daughters of the American Revolution). The pawnticket is sent to "People's Gas," portrayed as the man's "life-long pals." The imagery reveals a society where corporations replace human relationships and material interests supersede personal connections.

The poem further highlights this commercial opportunism: "Give away the shoes, give his derby away. Donate his socks to the Guggenheim fund." Even the smallest personal items are claimed by various institutions and individuals, with the "Morgans" holding his "priceless bills, and leaflets, and racing tips under lock and key." The final item, a pint of gin, is given to "Mr. Hoover," a nod to the Prohibition era and its absurdities.

Fearing's satire reaches its peak as he lists the notable figures who were supposedly friends of the deceased: "Don't forget Gene Tunney. Don't forget Will Hays. Don't forget Al Capone. Don't forget the I.R.T." By including a boxer, a film censor, a notorious gangster, and a transit system, Fearing underscores the absurdity of modern society's values and the indiscriminate nature of commercial and institutional relationships.

The poem concludes with a grim final directive to "Pick up the body, feed it, shave it, find it another job." This line encapsulates the industrialized view of death, where individuals are interchangeable cogs in the societal machine. The final offer to the truck driver—"Have a cigar, driver? Take two cigars. You were his true-blue pal."—drips with irony, as the driver who caused the death is offered a reward, highlighting the impersonal and transactional nature of relationships in this world.

Structurally, "Obituary" is written in free verse, allowing Fearing to blend different tones and styles seamlessly. The conversational rhythm and repetition give the poem a rhythm that mirrors the dispassionate bureaucracy surrounding the man's death.

In "Obituary," Kenneth Fearing offers a scathing critique of modern society's disregard for individual lives, revealing a world where commercial interests and institutional relationships overshadow genuine human connections. By blending dark humor and biting irony, Fearing creates a chilling portrait of a society that reduces death to a mere incident, exposing the profound impact of commercialization and bureaucracy on human relationships. The poem ultimately serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and human connection in a world increasingly dominated by impersonal institutions and material interests.

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