Who's Who
Who's Who - meaning Summary
Public Fame, Private Ordinary
The poem contrasts the sensational, marketable life-story of a celebrated man with the humble, private existence of the woman he desired. A cheap biography lists dramatic achievements, hardships and public honors, reducing a life to facts and triumphs. In contrast, the admired partner is plain and domestic: she does small tasks, keeps no grand correspondence, and lives quietly. The poem questions what biographical fame overlooks about ordinary steadiness and love.
Read Complete AnalysesA shilling life will give you all the facts: How Father beat him, how he ran away, What were the struggles of his youth, what acts Made him the greatest figure of his day; Of how he fought, fished, hunted, worked all night, Though giddy, climbed new mountains; named a sea; Some of the last researchers even write Love made him weep his pints like you and me. With all his honours on, he sighed for one Who, say astonished critics, lived at home; Did little jobs about the house with skill And nothing else; could whistle; would sit still Or potter round the garden; answered some Of his long marvellous letters but kept none.
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