Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alicia Suskin Ostriker’s poem "Taking the Shuttle with Franz" is a sharp, satirical meditation on class differences and the alienation that intellectuals often feel in the company of the business elite. By invoking the presence of Franz Kafka, a literary figure synonymous with existential dread and bureaucratic absurdity, Ostriker sets the stage for a reflection on the dehumanizing effects of capitalism and the societal divisions it creates. The poem blends dark humor with a critical eye, capturing the tension between two very different worlds—those of the businessmen on the shuttle and the speaker, an intellectual outsider.

The poem begins with the speaker’s search for metaphors to describe the "thick / Pig faces and large torsos of businessmen." This opening line immediately establishes a tone of both fascination and repulsion, as the speaker is struck by the physicality and sheer presence of these men. The use of animal imagery—comparing the businessmen to pigs—hints at a dehumanization of these figures, reducing them to their most basic, material attributes. The metaphor is deliberately provocative, suggesting that the businessmen, with their focus on material wealth, have become almost grotesque in their embodiment of capitalism’s excesses.

As the speaker weaves through the crowded shuttle, she expresses "aghast admiration" for the businessmen’s appearance—the "cut / Of their suits, the fineness of their shirt / Fabrics, and the deep gloss of their shoeleather." This admiration is tinged with irony, as the speaker marvels at the "vast expanse / Of clothing required fully to cover them," implying that their wealth and power are, in part, displayed through their ability to consume so much fabric and finery. The image of a "little mustached tailor" unrolling "bolt after bolt of excellent / Woolen stuff" adds a touch of humor, envisioning these businessmen as requiring an almost absurd amount of material to dress themselves, further emphasizing their dominance in the consumer world.

The speaker then imagines a scenario where these businessmen might have to wear garments made for "lesser men," resulting in a patchwork of exposed flesh—an image that underscores the artificiality of their appearance and the extent to which their identities are constructed through wealth. The notion that they "look good / Enough to ski on" adds to the satirical tone, reducing these powerful men to mere landscapes or surfaces, stripping away any sense of individuality or humanity.

The conversation with Kafka, who is engrossed in his book, adds a layer of literary and philosophical reflection to the poem. Kafka, often associated with themes of alienation and absurdity, is the perfect companion for this journey. When the speaker asks Kafka what he thinks of the businessmen, Kafka’s response—that they resemble "something Chinese, / Perhaps the Great Wall"—further dehumanizes them, comparing them to a vast, impenetrable structure. The Great Wall, a symbol of both protection and division, echoes the idea that these businessmen are part of a larger, monolithic force that is both awe-inspiring and alienating.

The poem’s exploration of the businessmen’s conversation—focused entirely on "money," "commodities," and "securities"—reinforces their one-dimensionality. Their world revolves around financial transactions, devoid of any deeper meaning or connection. The businessmen, in turn, perceive the speaker and Kafka as "ineffably shabby" intellectuals, marked by their lack of material wealth and status. The image of "Intellectual" scripted messily across their foreheads with "Parker ink" suggests a hasty, almost accidental label, one that sets them apart from the businessmen’s polished world.

As the poem concludes, the businessmen, with their "athletic heart[s]" beating beneath layers of "cashmere and cambric," glance at the speaker and Kafka with thinly veiled contempt, imagining them as "vermin" to be "stamped out." This final image is powerful and unsettling, capturing the disdain that the wealthy elite often feel for those who do not share their material success. The idea that these intellectuals are seen as pests to be eradicated speaks to the broader theme of dehumanization and the ways in which society marginalizes those who do not conform to its dominant values.

"Taking the Shuttle with Franz" is a biting commentary on the alienation of intellectuals in a world dominated by materialism and wealth. Through vivid imagery, sharp wit, and the invocation of Kafka’s presence, Ostriker explores the vast divide between the world of the business elite and those who engage with the world through ideas rather than money. The poem challenges the reader to consider the ways in which society values—or devalues—different kinds of labor and the impact of these values on our perceptions of humanity and worth.

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