Poem Analysis - O We Are The Outcasts

Introduction: A Cynical Gaze at the Literary World

Charles Bukowski's "O, We Are The Outcasts" is a scathing, cynical, and darkly humorous commentary on the literary world, particularly its poets. The poem drips with disdain for both the struggling, self-pitying writer and the affluent, pretentious one. Its tone shifts from weary resignation to biting sarcasm, revealing Bukowski's complex feelings toward his craft and his peers. The poem is a raw and unfiltered rant against hypocrisy and the perceived absurdities of the artistic life.

Theme: The Deceptive Glamour of the Writer's Life

One of the central themes is the demystification of the writer's life. Bukowski strips away any romantic notions, presenting it as a messy, often pathetic existence. He mocks the starving artist cliché ("Hiding from a wife who doesn't appreciate him / And children he doesn't want") and the pretensions of literary fame ("Get your name in LIGHTS, / Get it up there in / 8 1/2 x 11 mimeo"). This theme is developed through the use of gritty, unflattering imagery and a tone of weary disgust. The phrase "Hell, all our hearts are drowning in vomit, / In pork salt, in bad verse, in soggy love" encapsulates the poem's disillusionment.

Theme: Authenticity Versus Pretense

The poem explores the tension between genuine artistic expression and pretentious posturing. Bukowski contrasts the supposed authenticity of the working-class writer with the hollow intellectualism of the wealthy poet. The former, though flawed and struggling, is presented as more honest, while the latter is portrayed as a detached observer, insulated from the realities of life. This contrast is highlighted through the vivid descriptions of each type: the "yellow-toothed, slump-shouldered" writer versus the one who "sip[s]" his cocktail. Bukowski seems to value experience, even if painful, over detached observation.

Theme: The Absurdity of Human Condition

Beneath the cynicism lies a deeper exploration of the absurdity of the human condition. The poem acknowledges the universal struggles of life, love, and death, but mocks the way writers often grandstand about these issues. The mention of death ("Did you know / That we all have to die?") is delivered with a sarcastic tone, suggesting that writers often treat profound realities as mere fodder for their work. This theme is subtly woven throughout the poem, adding a layer of existential angst to Bukowski's already acerbic critique.

Symbolism: The Mailbox as a Symbol of Validation

The mailbox emerges as a potent symbol of the artist's desperate need for validation. For the wealthy poet, the constant trips to the post office to check for accepted poems reveal a deep-seated insecurity and a reliance on external approval. This symbol highlights the vulnerability and ego-driven nature of the artistic pursuit. It underscores the idea that even those who seem to have it all are still susceptible to the anxieties of rejection and the desire for recognition.

Imagery: Gritty Realism Versus Artificiality

Bukowski employs vivid and contrasting imagery to differentiate between authentic and artificial experiences. The "tinker-toy rooms," "flabby hearts," and "hearts… drowning in vomit" create a sense of decay and disillusionment. In contrast, the descriptions of the wealthy poet's life, with its "cocktail glass / Held about heart high" and "x-wives… well-dressed, schooled, with / varying French-German accents," depict a sterile, artificial world. This juxtaposition reinforces the poem's central critique of pretension and the pursuit of superficial validation.

Conclusion: A Scathing Self-Portrait

"O, We Are The Outcasts" is more than just a critique of the literary world; it's a brutally honest self-portrait. Bukowski, despite his disdain, seems to recognize himself in both the struggling and the affluent poet. He acknowledges the flaws and insecurities that drive artists, even as he mocks them. The poem's significance lies in its unflinching honesty and its willingness to expose the often-uncomfortable truths about the creative process and the human condition. The final image of the poet lighting a cheap cigar and forgetting about it encapsulates a kind of weary acceptance, a recognition that, despite all the absurdity, life goes on.