Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Mail Order Catalogs," William Matthews deftly captures the contrasting landscapes of suburban comfort and rural isolation, using the mundane imagery of consumer goods to explore deeper themes of economic disparity, cultural divide, and the pervasive loneliness that accompanies these conditions. The poem's title evokes the bygone era of mail-order catalogs, a symbol of consumer convenience and accessibility, yet it quickly transcends this initial image to delve into a more profound commentary on American life.

The opening lines establish a clear distinction between the trappings of suburban life and the stark realities of rural existence. The catalog items listed—"Pewter loons, ceramic bunnies, and faux bamboo"—are emblematic of a suburban aesthetic, emphasizing decor and the cultivation of an idyllic, often artificial environment. This imagery extends to "bird feeders in Tudor / and saltbox models, and tulips to force in delft," further reinforcing the idea of a curated and controlled domesticity. These objects, though ostensibly harmless, hint at a kind of material excess and a superficial engagement with nature and culture.

In stark contrast, Matthews shifts the scene to "smoky bars in small towns late on week nights," where the atmosphere is one of weariness and routine. The jukebox plays "the old songs," which evoke past emotions not out of genuine feeling but "only from habit." This suggests a sense of emotional numbness or resignation among the bar's patrons, who are "derisively broke." The phrase "derisively broke" captures the biting cynicism and disillusionment of those who frequent these establishments, hinting at a broader economic struggle that defines their lives.

The poem then broadens its focus to the rural expanses "father out / in the washes and hollows," where men travel into town seeking loans to buy vehicles, a necessity for navigating the vast distances of rural life. This economic dependence on loans underscores the precariousness of their financial situation, where the cost of maintaining a basic standard of living often requires borrowing. Meanwhile, women are depicted as needing to "buy a good dress by mail," suggesting a lack of local resources and the isolation that necessitates reliance on distant goods.

Matthews poignantly identifies "loneliness" as both the product and the reality sold to these rural inhabitants. The consumption of "country music, booze, and sunset" becomes a ritualistic attempt to cope with this pervasive loneliness. The imagery of the "cheesecloth / of topsoil powdered as fine in the dusky air as make-up / rich women wear back east" draws a stark comparison between the harshness of rural life and the perceived opulence of the East. The simile highlights the disparity between the finely dressed women of the East and the dusty, rugged reality of the rural West, further emphasizing the socio-economic and cultural divides.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the geological history of the land, noting that "once this darkening sky / was ocean thousands of feet up, and we were floor." This shift to a cosmic perspective serves as a sobering reminder of the transient nature of human concerns and the vast, impersonal forces that shape our world. The metaphor of the sky as a former ocean and the land as its floor suggests a sense of continuity and change, underscoring the enduring nature of the natural world compared to the fleeting nature of human constructs and struggles.

"Mail Order Catalogs" uses the ordinary and the material to explore complex themes of economic disparity, cultural divides, and the deep-seated loneliness that pervades both suburban and rural American life. Through rich, evocative imagery and a keen sense of irony, Matthews presents a critique of consumer culture and its inability to fulfill deeper emotional needs. The poem leaves readers with a poignant sense of the enduring challenges faced by those living on the fringes of society, caught between the promises of modernity and the harsh realities of their environment.

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