Poem Analysis - Tin Wedding Whistle

Overall Impression and Tone

Ogden Nash's Tin Wedding Whistle is a whimsical and heartfelt exploration of love and devotion. The poem's tone is playful yet sincere, oscillating between lighthearted humor and deep emotional sincerity. Nash uses repetition and colloquial language to create a conversational and intimate atmosphere, making the poem accessible and relatable. The speaker's affection for their beloved is evident from the start, and the poem's structure, with its repeated phrases, reinforces the idea of enduring love.

Themes of Love and Devotion

The primary theme of Tin Wedding Whistle is love, specifically the all-consuming and somewhat obsessive love that the speaker feels for their partner. The speaker's love is so intense that it affects their mood and behavior in various situations. For example, the speaker is happy when their beloved is near but becomes sullen and irritable when separated. This theme is developed through the speaker's vivid descriptions of their emotional state and their reactions to their partner's presence or absence. The repetition of phrases like near and far and likewise I have never larnt emphasizes the speaker's constant state of longing and devotion.

Themes of Anxiety and Possessiveness

Another theme is the anxiety and possessiveness that can accompany deep love. The speaker's fear of losing their partner is evident in lines like Is your train a minute slothful? I goad the stationmaster wrothful and when you linger late in shops I long to telephone the cops. These lines reveal the speaker's tendency to worry and their desire to control their partner's actions. This theme is further developed through the speaker's vivid imagery of fire and flood and trolls and imps, which suggests the chaotic and dangerous world that the speaker imagines their partner facing without them. The speaker's anxiety and possessiveness highlight the darker side of love, showing how it can sometimes lead to irrational behavior and fear.

Recurring Symbols and Imagery

The poem is rich with recurring symbols and vivid imagery that contribute to its overall message. The repeated phrases near and far and likewise I have never larnt serve as a refrain, emphasizing the speaker's constant state of longing and devotion. The imagery of fire and flood and trolls and imps is particularly striking, as it suggests the chaotic and dangerous world that the speaker imagines their partner facing without them. This imagery highlights the speaker's anxiety and possessiveness, as well as their desire to protect and control their partner. The image of the beloved coming through the door is also significant, as it represents the speaker's longing for their partner's presence and the joy they feel when they are together. The speaker's use of colloquial language and humorous phrases, such as I never know if you're alive and I long to telephone the cops, adds a playful and lighthearted tone to the poem, making it more accessible and relatable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Tin Wedding Whistle is a charming and insightful exploration of love and devotion. Through its playful tone, vivid imagery, and recurring symbols, the poem offers a unique perspective on the complexities of love. The speaker's intense and somewhat obsessive love for their partner is both endearing and unsettling, highlighting the ways in which love can bring joy and anxiety. The poem's final lines, in which the speaker asks their partner not to disparage their desire to hold them in their sight forever, underscore the poem's central message: that love, in all its complexity, is a valid and powerful reason for a marriage. The poem's enduring appeal lies in its ability to capture the universal experience of love, with all its joys and challenges.