Poem Analysis - Bury Me In My Shades

Introduction: A Dying Hipster's Last Request

Shel Silverstein's "Bury Me In My Shades" is a darkly humorous and satirical poem that explores the themes of authenticity, legacy, and the superficiality of hipster culture. The poem presents a dying hipster's final wishes, which are then callously disregarded by his friends. The tone is initially melancholic, but quickly shifts to cynical and mocking as the poem progresses. Silverstein uses simple language and a sing-song rhythm to create a memorable and ironic commentary on the transient nature of trends and the shallowness of some subcultures.

The Irony of Authenticity

One of the poem's central themes is the irony of striving for authenticity. The dying hipster, living in a "pad with no heat" and surrounded by "junkies and loners," embodies a certain image of counter-cultural coolness. His insistence on being buried in his shades suggests a desire to maintain this image even in death, to preserve a carefully constructed persona. The line "so like no one could tell / Like whether or not he was cryin'" highlights the artificiality of this persona – the shades are a mask to conceal genuine emotion. However, his friends immediately betray his wishes and greedily consume his possessions, demonstrating a lack of genuine respect for either the man or the values he supposedly represented.

Mortality and Meaninglessness

The poem grapples with the theme of mortality and the search for meaning in life. The hipster's deathbed scene is juxtaposed with the mundane details of his possessions and the triviality of his requests. He wants his guitar burned because he "never learned how to play," indicating a life perhaps filled with pretense rather than genuine artistic pursuit. His final wishes, seemingly important to him, are easily dismissed by his friends, emphasizing the fleeting nature of life and the ease with which one's identity can be erased or appropriated after death. The stark contrast between his perceived importance and the reality of his forgotten wishes underscores the poem’s message about the impermanence of fame and identity.

The Symbolism of Shades

The shades themselves serve as a potent symbol throughout the poem. They represent a barrier between the hipster and the world, a way to maintain an air of mystery and detachment. They symbolize the superficiality and affectation often associated with hipster culture – a desire to appear cool and aloof, even in the face of death. The recurring line, "Bury me in my shades," becomes an ironic mantra, highlighting the hipster's obsession with image over substance. The final line, "And I got the poor beatnik shades," underscores the poem's cynical tone, suggesting that the speaker has not learned anything from the hipster's death, and is happy to perpetuate the same superficial values.

A Final Insight: The Ephemeral Nature of "Cool"

In conclusion, "Bury Me In My Shades" is a sharp and witty commentary on the transient nature of trends and the superficiality of certain subcultures. Through its dark humor and vivid imagery, the poem exposes the irony of striving for authenticity and the futility of clinging to an image in the face of mortality. The poem's lasting significance lies in its ability to make us question the values we hold dear and the extent to which we prioritize appearance over genuine substance, asking: Is the pursuit of “cool” ultimately a meaningless endeavor?