Poem Analysis - Just Keep Quiet And Nobody Will Notice

Initial Impression and Tone

Ogden Nash's poem Just Keep Quiet And Nobody Will Notice presents a humorous and somewhat exasperated critique of people who over-apologize. The tone is lighthearted yet pointed, shifting from playful to mildly frustrated as the speaker addresses the habit of making unnecessary apologies. Nash uses colloquial language and vivid examples to illustrate his point, making the poem accessible and relatable to a broad audience.

Themes of Social Etiquette and Self-Awareness

The poem explores the theme of social etiquette, specifically the unnecessary habit of apologizing for trivial matters. Nash suggests that people should avoid making apologies for things that do not warrant them, such as the quality of their home or the behavior of their guests. This theme is developed through the speaker's frustration with people who apologize for everything, from the food they serve to the books they give as gifts. The speaker's exasperation highlights the theme of self-awareness, suggesting that people should be more mindful of their actions and the impact they have on others.

The theme of hospitality is also prominent in the poem. Nash argues that hosts and hostesses should not spoil the experience for their guests by apologizing for everything. Instead, they should allow their guests to enjoy the experience and discover any flaws on their own. This theme is developed through the speaker's advice to hosts and hostesses, who should keep a rule on hand to avoid over-apologizing. The speaker's advice highlights the importance of creating a pleasant and enjoyable experience for guests, rather than drawing attention to potential flaws.

Recurring Symbols and Imagery

The poem is rich with vivid imagery that supports its themes. The speaker uses examples of everyday situations to illustrate the habit of over-apologizing, such as serving anchovies instead of caviar or giving a book by Dickens instead of Scott. These examples are relatable and humorous, making the poem engaging and accessible. The speaker also uses the image of a host or hostess apologizing for everything, from the food they serve to the behavior of their guests. This image highlights the theme of hospitality, suggesting that hosts and hostesses should focus on creating a pleasant experience for their guests, rather than drawing attention to potential flaws.

The speaker's advice to hosts and hostesses to keep a rule on hand to avoid over-apologizing is a recurring symbol in the poem. This symbol represents the importance of self-awareness and mindfulness in social situations. The speaker suggests that hosts and hostesses should be mindful of their actions and the impact they have on their guests, rather than drawing attention to potential flaws. This symbol highlights the theme of social etiquette, suggesting that people should be more mindful of their actions and the impact they have on others.

Conclusion

In Just Keep Quiet And Nobody Will Notice, Ogden Nash offers a humorous and pointed critique of the habit of over-apologizing. Through vivid imagery and relatable examples, Nash explores the themes of social etiquette, self-awareness, and hospitality. The poem suggests that people should be more mindful of their actions and the impact they have on others, rather than drawing attention to potential flaws. Nash's advice to hosts and hostesses to avoid over-apologizing highlights the importance of creating a pleasant and enjoyable experience for guests. Ultimately, the poem serves as a reminder to be more mindful and self-aware in social situations, and to focus on the positive aspects of our interactions with others.