Poem Analysis - One From One Leaves Two

An Overview of Humor and Satire

Ogden Nash's "One From One Leaves Two" is a whimsical and satirical poem that uses playful language and absurd scenarios to critique economic and social systems. The poem's tone is lighthearted and humorous, yet it carries a sharp edge of criticism. Nash employs a playful, almost childlike language to discuss serious issues, creating a stark contrast that underscores the absurdity of the situations he describes. The mood shifts from amusement to frustration as the poem progresses, reflecting the speaker's growing exasperation with the system.

Themes of Economic Inequality and Government Intervention

The poem explores several interconnected themes, with economic inequality and government intervention being the most prominent. Nash uses the examples of a hen, a cow, and farmers to illustrate how productivity is often punished rather than rewarded. The hen is fined for laying too many eggs, the cow is praised for producing less milk, and the farmers destroy their record crop, all of which highlight the absurdity of a system that discourages productivity. The repetition of phrases like "the more you create, the less you earn" and "the more you earn, the less you keep" emphasizes the theme of economic inequality and the futility of hard work within this system.

Imagery of Agricultural Life

The poem is rich in imagery related to agricultural life, which serves to make the abstract concepts of economics and government intervention more tangible. The black hen, red cow, and farmers are vivid images that represent different aspects of the economy. The hen and cow are personified, given human-like qualities and behaviors, which makes their struggles more relatable. The farmers' actions, from planting seeds to destroying their crop, symbolize the cyclical nature of their labor and the futility of their efforts within a system that seems designed to thwart them. The imagery of agricultural life also serves to ground the poem in a specific context, making the critique more immediate and personal.

The Role of Government and Taxation

The final stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the role of government and taxation, presenting a bleak view of a system that seems to benefit from the hardship of its citizens. The speaker's prayer, "I pray the Lord my soul to take if the tax-collector hasn’t got it before I wake," is a stark and humorous critique of a system that seems to prioritize the collection of taxes over the well-being of its citizens. This final image underscores the poem's themes of economic inequality and government intervention, presenting a system that is both absurd and oppressive.

Conclusion: A Satirical Critique of Economic Systems

In "One From One Leaves Two," Ogden Nash uses humor and absurdity to critique economic systems that punish productivity and reward inefficiency. Through vivid imagery and playful language, Nash presents a world where hard work is futile and the government seems to benefit from the struggles of its citizens. The poem's final image of the speaker praying to be taken by the Lord before the tax-collector can claim his soul is a stark and humorous critique of a system that seems designed to oppress rather than support. Ultimately, the poem serves as a reminder of the importance of questioning and challenging the systems that govern our lives.