Poem Analysis - Turkey

A Simple Misunderstanding

Shel Silverstein's "Turkey?" is a lighthearted and humorous poem that revolves around a seemingly trivial social faux pas. The poem's tone is initially apologetic, quickly transitioning into exasperation and then, perhaps, a touch of bewildered resignation. The simple language and repetitive structure contribute to its childlike quality, making the reader question the severity of the speaker's "crime." It explores themes of social expectations, miscommunication, and the potential for overreaction.

The Unseen Social Code

The poem centers around the theme of social expectations. The speaker's act of eating just one drumstick at a picnic dance, a seemingly innocuous action, is met with widespread disapproval. The poem highlights how unwritten social rules, like unspoken expectations about food consumption at a social gathering, can lead to disproportionate reactions. The speaker is judged and ostracized for not adhering to a standard that is never explicitly stated, pointing to the often arbitrary and bewildering nature of social norms.

Drumstick Dilemma: Symbol of Social Blunder

The drumstick itself becomes a symbol of the speaker's social misstep. It represents the transgression against unspoken rules, transforming a simple piece of food into an object of condemnation. The adjectives used to describe the drumstick – "tough and skinny" – could also symbolize the perceived inadequacy of the speaker's action, or perhaps their perceived lack of generosity. The fact that it was "just one little drumstick" emphasizes the triviality of the situation, creating an ironic contrast with the intensity of the reaction it provokes.

Miscommunication and Exaggeration

Another prominent theme is miscommunication. The speaker seems genuinely perplexed by the reaction to their action, suggesting a breakdown in understanding between the individual and the group. The phrase "They say I couldn't be dumber" suggests the judgmental nature of the community and a lack of empathy towards the speaker's potential reasons for eating only one drumstick. This highlights how easily misinterpretations can escalate into negative judgments and social exclusion. The poem also illustrates exaggeration, as the reaction to the one drumstick seems overblown, emphasizing the absurdity of the situation.

The Drummer's Displeasure

The line "But everybody's mad at me, Especially the drummer" is especially poignant. The drummer, as the rhythm keeper and perhaps a symbol of social harmony at the picnic dance, is particularly offended. This adds a layer of humor but also suggests that the speaker's actions disrupted the perceived order or expectations of the event. Is the drummer mad because the speaker has offended the norms? Or is the drummer mad because the speaker disrupted the drummer's idea of a perfect gathering?

A Feather Ruffled: The Significance of Silliness

In conclusion, "Turkey?" is a seemingly simple poem that playfully examines themes of social expectation, miscommunication, and the potential for overreaction. Through the image of the lone drumstick, Silverstein crafts a scenario where a small action triggers a disproportionate response, inviting us to question the logic and fairness of social norms. The poem reminds us that even in seemingly trivial situations, there exists a complex web of unspoken rules and expectations, and that sometimes, a simple misunderstanding can ruffle a lot of feathers, even those of the drummer.