Poem Analysis - If He Were Alive Today Mayhap Mr Morgan

Ogden Nash's poem If He Were Alive Today, Mayhap, Mr. Morgan.. is a whimsical and playful exploration of childhood nostalgia and the allure of adulthood. The poem's tone is lighthearted and humorous, with a touch of wistfulness. It begins with a humorous reference to an advertisement and shifts to a childlike fantasy of becoming a banker, complete with a kiddie car and the joy of saying "beep-beep." The poem's structure, with its repetitive phrases and playful language, supports its theme of childhood innocence and longing.

Themes of Childhood Nostalgia and Fantasy

The poem's central theme is the longing for childhood innocence and the fantasy of adulthood. The speaker expresses a desire to return to a second childhood, where he can play at being a banker, driving a kiddie car, and saying "beep-beep." This fantasy is a way to escape the responsibilities of adulthood and return to a simpler time. The repetition of the phrase "beep-beep" emphasizes the childlike joy and innocence the speaker longs for. The speaker's desire to be a banker, rather than a president or assistant veep, highlights the simplicity and purity of childhood dreams.

The Role of Imagery and Symbolism

The poem uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey its themes. The kiddie car and the sound "beep-beep" are symbols of childhood play and innocence. The banker at Bankers Trust is a symbol of adulthood and responsibility, but in the speaker's fantasy, he becomes a playful figure, driving a kiddie car and saying "beep-beep." The contrast between the seriousness of banking and the playfulness of childhood highlights the speaker's longing for a simpler time. The use of onomatopoeia, such as "beep-beep," "clang-clang," and "toot-toot," adds to the playful tone and reinforces the theme of childhood nostalgia.

The Significance of the Banker and the Kiddie Car

The banker at Bankers Trust and the kiddie car are recurring symbols in the poem. The banker represents the speaker's fantasy of adulthood, where he can have the power and responsibility of a banker, but also the freedom and joy of childhood. The kiddie car is a symbol of childhood play and innocence, but also of the speaker's desire to escape the responsibilities of adulthood. The contrast between the seriousness of banking and the playfulness of childhood highlights the speaker's longing for a simpler time. The use of the kiddie car and the sound "beep-beep" adds to the playful tone and reinforces the theme of childhood nostalgia.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ogden Nash's If He Were Alive Today, Mayhap, Mr. Morgan.. is a playful and whimsical exploration of childhood nostalgia and the allure of adulthood. Through its use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and playful language, the poem conveys the speaker's longing for a simpler time and the joy of childhood innocence. The recurring symbols of the banker and the kiddie car highlight the contrast between the responsibilities of adulthood and the freedom of childhood. The poem's significance lies in its ability to capture the universal longing for childhood innocence and the fantasy of adulthood.