Poem Analysis - Kind Of An Ode To Duty

Initial Impression and Tone

Ogden Nash's "Kind Of An Ode To Duty" presents a humorous and somewhat whimsical take on the concept of duty. The poem's tone is playful and lighthearted, yet it carries a underlying sense of frustration and resignation. The speaker addresses Duty as if it were a person, complaining about its unappealing appearance and the burdens it imposes. The mood shifts from playful teasing to a more serious reflection on the inevitability of duty.

Themes of Frustration and Inevitability

The poem explores several themes, with frustration and inevitability being the most prominent. The speaker's frustration with Duty is evident throughout the poem. Duty is described as having an "ominous" and "abominous" appearance, and the speaker laments that Duty has few interests in common with him. This frustration is heightened by the speaker's acknowledgment that Duty is "ubiquitous," always present and inescapable. The theme of inevitability is reinforced by the speaker's resignation to Duty's persistent presence, despite his desire to avoid it.

Another theme is the contrast between desire and obligation. The speaker longs for Duty to be more appealing, comparing it to a "sweetie or a cutie" and wishing it were more like Venus. This desire is contrasted with the reality of Duty, which is described as a "martyr" and a "Tartar," and which calls on people to do things they do not want to do. The speaker's frustration with this contrast is evident in his final lines, where he admits that he cannot resist Duty's call, despite his desire to do so.

Symbolism and Imagery

The poem is rich in vivid imagery and symbolism. Duty is personified and described in unflattering terms, with the speaker complaining about its appearance and behavior. The speaker's use of words like "ominous," "abominous," and "Tartar" to describe Duty creates a clear image of something unpleasant and to be avoided. The speaker's desire for Duty to be more appealing is symbolized by his comparison of Duty to a "sweetie or a cutie" and his wish for it to be more like Venus.

The image of Duty as an "albatross" is particularly striking. In Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," an albatross is a symbol of guilt and burden. By comparing Duty to an albatross, the speaker emphasizes the sense of burden and guilt that Duty imposes. The speaker's final admission that he cannot resist Duty's call, despite his desire to do so, reinforces this sense of inevitability and burden.

Conclusion

In "Kind Of An Ode To Duty," Ogden Nash uses humor and vivid imagery to explore the themes of frustration, inevitability, and the contrast between desire and obligation. The poem's playful tone and lighthearted language belie a deeper sense of resignation and burden. The speaker's frustration with Duty is clear, but so is his acknowledgment of its inevitability. The poem ultimately serves as a reflection on the inescapable nature of duty and the struggle between desire and obligation. The speaker's final admission that he cannot resist Duty's call underscores the poem's message that duty, despite its burdens, is an inescapable part of life.