Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Albert Goldbarth's poem "Elbee Novelty Company Inc." offers a rich and evocative snapshot of a bygone era, focusing on the humorous yet poignant world of a novelty company in 1985. Through vivid imagery and a blend of humor and melancholy, the poem explores themes of nostalgia, the passage of time, and the intersection of joy and loneliness.

The poem opens with a vivid scene: "For I have seen Louie Berkie in his warehouse rows of plastic Dog Poo, rubber chickens, Beagle-Puss glasses and snap cigarettes." This introduction immediately immerses the reader in the whimsical and bizarre inventory of the Elbee Novelty Company. The items listed—iconic symbols of American prank culture—evoke a sense of nostalgia and amusement.

Goldbarth juxtaposes this lighthearted imagery with a more somber tone as he describes the "boneyard and revival ward of 1947's Party Vomit, Fool 'Em bon-bons, Squirting 'Fountain' Pens and X-ray Specs." This reference to 1947 suggests a long history of novelty items, hinting at the persistence of joy and humor through the years, even as time moves forward and societal contexts change.

The poem's setting, the sixth floor of the Calcasieu Building, is described as trembling "like the angels' own Joy Buzzer." This simile not only ties into the theme of novelty items but also adds a surreal and almost divine quality to the scene, contrasting the mundane with the fantastical.

Goldbarth introduces a gritty realism with the mention of the elevator smelling of "real human piss," emphasizing the less glamorous side of the building's history. This stark detail grounds the poem in reality, contrasting the ephemeral joy of the novelty items with the enduring and often unpleasant physical realities of life.

Louie Berkie, the central figure of the poem, is portrayed with a mix of humor and pathos. His enthusiastic greeting—"just look wherever you want, hey Rosie give this guy a bag, just fill the bag, who wants these anyway"—captures his generous, perhaps weary, spirit. Louie's contemplation of his own mortality, envisioning "a hundred thousand goddam squirt carnations on my grave," adds a layer of poignancy to his character. This image of the squirt carnations, both humorous and touching, underscores the theme of finding joy in life's absurdities.

The employees of the Elbee Novelty Company are depicted with care and detail, each contributing to the unique atmosphere of the place. The man without teeth stacking Chattering Teeth, the boy filing bogus permits, and Rosie—who has tended nickels since 1947—create a tapestry of characters that embody the resilience and quirkiness of the human spirit.

Goldbarth’s detailed description of Louie's passion for his work—showing exploding cigars and lighting up his nose—reveals a man deeply committed to bringing laughter to others, despite his own loneliness. Louie's real eyes lighting up when he demonstrates the Palm Shocker emphasizes his genuine joy in the simple pleasures of his trade.

The closing lines of the poem, "We all need a gag" and "we all want guffaws" followed by "I live alone," capture the bittersweet essence of the poem. They highlight the universal need for humor and connection while acknowledging the underlying solitude that many people experience.

"Elbee Novelty Company Inc." by Albert Goldbarth is a masterful blend of humor and melancholy, nostalgia and reality. Through its vivid imagery and poignant character studies, the poem invites readers to reflect on the enduring power of laughter and the complex interplay between joy and loneliness in the human experience. Goldbarth's work celebrates the quirky, often overlooked aspects of life, reminding us of the value in even the smallest moments of delight.

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