Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov’s poem "What Kind of Guy Was He?" is a brief yet impactful piece that uses humor and repetition to define the character of an individual through a simple, almost circular, exchange.

The poem opens with a preemptive response: "Just so you shouldn't have to ask again," which immediately sets a conversational tone. This line suggests a degree of familiarity or even mild exasperation, as if the speaker has answered this question many times before. It creates an intimate setting where the speaker is addressing someone directly, perhaps a friend or acquaintance curious about the person in question.

"He was the kind of guy that if he said / Something and you were the kind of guy that said / You can say that again, he'd say it again." This central idea is both straightforward and complex. At its core, the poem describes a person who takes things literally and follows through with straightforward logic. If this person is asked to repeat something, he obliges without hesitation, highlighting a sense of directness and perhaps a literal-mindedness.

The repetition within the poem mirrors the action it describes. The phrase "he'd say it again" is a literal response to "you can say that again," emphasizing the individual's exacting nature. This repetition also serves to underline the character's predictability and reliability. He is a person of his word, someone who does exactly what is asked of him without deviation or embellishment.

The humor in the poem lies in its simplicity and the depiction of a seemingly mundane trait as a defining characteristic. The poem subtly critiques how we often look for grand or complex traits to define people, whereas sometimes, it’s the simple and straightforward qualities that truly capture someone's essence. By focusing on this particular interaction, Nemerov suggests that understanding someone can sometimes come down to recognizing and appreciating their straightforwardness and literal interpretations.

In its brief format, "What Kind of Guy Was He?" effectively captures the essence of a character through a specific behavior. Nemerov’s use of repetition and conversational tone makes the poem engaging and memorable, leaving readers with a clear image of the kind of person being described. This concise portrayal speaks to the power of simplicity in both human interactions and poetic expression.

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