Poem Analysis - A Salesman Is An It That Stinks Excuse

An Introduction to Cynicism

E.E. Cummings's "A Salesman Is An It That Stinks Excuse" is a scathing and cynical condemnation of the sales profession. The poem drips with disdain, presenting the salesman as a dehumanized entity motivated by an inherent foulness. The tone is consistently negative and accusatory, leaving the reader with a sense of profound disgust. The poem maintains this mood from start to finish, offering no reprieve or glimmer of hope.

Dehumanization and the Critique of Commerce

One central theme is the dehumanization of the salesman. Cummings repeatedly refers to the salesman as "it," stripping the individual of humanity and reducing them to a mere function. This objectification underscores the idea that the sales profession demands a sacrifice of personal integrity. The poem critiques the commercial world's tendency to reduce individuals to instruments of profit, devoid of ethical consideration. This is further emphasized by the line "a salesman is an it that stinks to please" implying subservience to profit rather than any intrinsic value.

The Indiscriminate Nature of Salesmanship

Another key theme is the indiscriminate nature of what a salesman sells. Cummings lists a bizarre and unsettling array of goods, ranging from "hate condoms education snakeoil" to "terror strawberries democ/ra(caveat emptor)cy superfluous hair." This chaotic list highlights the amoral nature of the sales profession. It suggests that a salesman will sell anything, regardless of its ethical implications or societal impact. The parenthetical "caveat emptor" (let the buyer beware) serves as a sharp reminder of the potential for exploitation inherent in the sales transaction.

A Universal Disgust

The poem utilizes vivid and repulsive imagery to convey its message. The recurring phrase "it stinks" functions as a powerful symbol of the speaker's disgust. It's not merely a physical odor but a moral and ethical stench associated with the sales profession. This visceral imagery forces the reader to confront the unpleasant aspects of commercialism and the potential for corruption within it. The word "stinks" is repeated to really drive home that idea.

Concluding with a Sense of Repulsion

In conclusion, "A Salesman Is An It That Stinks Excuse" is a powerful and unsettling critique of the sales profession. Through dehumanizing language, indiscriminate listing of goods, and repulsive imagery, Cummings effectively conveys his profound disdain for the perceived moral compromises inherent in the pursuit of profit. The poem's significance lies in its unflinching portrayal of the dark side of commerce and its challenge to the reader to consider the ethical implications of selling.