Salutation
Salutation - meaning Summary
Contentment Beyond Smug Comfort
The speaker contrasts a self-satisfied, anxious generation with simple fishermen whose untidy families, hearty laughter, and toothy smiles suggest an unaffected joy. The poem claims a paradoxical relation of happiness: the speaker has seen and at times been happier than the smug crowd, yet also sees the fishermen as happier than the speaker. The closing image of fish swimming without clothing underscores natural, uncomplicated contentment beyond social pretension.
Read Complete AnalysesO generation of the thoroughly smug and thoroughly uncomfortable, I have seen fishermen picnicking in the sun, I have seen them with untidy families, I have seen their smiles full of teeth and heard ungainly laughter. And I am happier than you are, And they were happier than I am; And the fish swim in the lake and do not even own clothing.
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