Poem Analysis - The Terrible People

Initial Impression and Tone

The poem The Terrible People by Ogden Nash presents a witty and somewhat sarcastic critique of wealthy individuals who deny the advantages of their wealth. The tone is playful yet pointed, with a clear sense of frustration directed towards those who pretend that money does not bring happiness or ease. The mood shifts from humorous to slightly bitter as the speaker expresses a desire for honesty from the wealthy. The poem's form, with its conversational and colloquial language, supports the overall meaning by making the critique accessible and relatable.

Themes of Dishonesty and Hypocrisy

The primary theme of the poem is the dishonesty and hypocrisy of wealthy people who downplay the benefits of their wealth. The speaker is annoyed by those who claim that money is not important or that they do not have much of it. This theme is developed through the speaker's frustration with the wealthy's evasions and arguments. For example, the lines You cannot conceive of an occasion Which will find them without some suitable evasion highlight the wealthy's constant excuses and justifications. The speaker's desire to gather these people into a gloomy castle and hire Draculas to haunt it emphasizes the speaker's frustration and desire for retribution.

The Illusion of Money's Irrelevance

Another significant theme is the illusion that money is not important. The speaker acknowledges that money cannot buy everything, but they also point out the absurdity of trying to acquire things without money. The lines Certainly there are lots of things in life that money won't buy, but it's very funny - Have you ever tried to buy them without money? underscore this theme. The speaker's willingness to assume every curse of wealth if they could also assume every blessing shows their recognition of money's importance. This theme is further developed through the speaker's frustration with the wealthy's insistence that money is not everything, despite their obvious enjoyment of its benefits.

The Symbolism of Wealth and Its Consequences

The poem uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey its message. The castle on the Danube and the Draculas symbolize the speaker's desire for retribution against the wealthy's dishonesty. The Danube, a significant river in Europe, adds a sense of grandeur and isolation to the castle, emphasizing the speaker's wish to separate these people from society. The Draculas, as symbols of haunting and torment, represent the speaker's desire to punish the wealthy for their hypocrisy. The speaker's willingness to assume every curse of wealth if they could also assume every blessing is a powerful image of the speaker's recognition of money's importance and their desire for its benefits. The speaker's acknowledgment that the only incurable troubles of the rich are the troubles that money can't cure is a poignant reminder that wealth does not solve all problems, but it can alleviate many.

Conclusion

The Terrible People by Ogden Nash is a sharp critique of the wealthy who deny the advantages of their wealth. Through vivid imagery, symbolism, and a playful yet pointed tone, the poem explores themes of dishonesty, hypocrisy, and the illusion of money's irrelevance. The speaker's frustration with the wealthy's evasions and arguments highlights the importance of honesty and the recognition of money's role in society. The poem's final insight is that while money cannot buy everything, it is a powerful tool that can alleviate many troubles, and those who have it should acknowledge its benefits honestly.