Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"An Argument Over Marshal Foch" by Charles Bukowski is a vivid and irreverent exploration of conflict, absurdity, and the stubbornness of personal beliefs. Through a comedic and surreal narrative, Bukowski delves into the themes of argumentation, the absurdity of trying to alter deeply held convictions, and the peculiar ways in which human beings defend their viewpoints. The poem serves as a microcosm of larger societal debates, where logic often gives way to the ridiculous, and where personal connections and improbable claims become weapons in the battle of opinions.

The poem starts with a seemingly innocuous debate over Marshal Foch's merits as a soldier. The escalation from a historical argument to physical confrontation with a wet towel highlights the absurd lengths to which people will go to defend their opinions. Bukowski uses hyperbole and slapstick humor to underscore the ridiculousness of the situation, as the argument quickly spirals out of control, moving from verbal threats to physical actions that are both comical and surreal.

The claim of familial connections to both Marshal Foch and the governor serves to escalate the argument further, showcasing how individuals often resort to dubious claims of authority or lineage to bolster their arguments. The absurdity reaches its peak with the protagonist's dramatic actions—slapping a wet rubber glove down the opponent's mouth and cutting the phone wire—to prevent the call to the governor. This act is both a literal silencing of opposition and a metaphor for the futility of trying to change deeply entrenched beliefs.

The externalization of the argument into the world of crickets, who chirp "Foch, Foch, Foch, Foch!" adds another layer of absurdity, suggesting that the argument has transcended human boundaries and entered the realm of nature, becoming a universal chorus of contention. The narrator's attempt to silence the crickets with a sub-machine gun is a darkly humorous illustration of the lengths to which people will go to silence dissenting voices, only to find that opposition is too vast and ingrained to be easily quelled.

The narrator's admission of defeat, "I surrender, I said, it's too much: / I can't change the world," reflects a moment of self-awareness amidst the absurdity. It acknowledges the Sisyphean struggle of trying to alter deeply held beliefs, whether one's own or those of others. The applause from the "so-called ladies" and the opponent's gallant bow add a layer of irony, suggesting that even in the face of absurdity, social niceties and performances of civility persist.

Bukowski's conclusion, where the narrator maintains his belief in the weakness of the French, underscores the stubbornness of personal conviction, untouched by the events that have transpired. This stubborn adherence to belief, in the face of all evidence and absurdity, serves as a critique of human nature and the often-irrational ways in which we cling to our opinions.

Through "An Argument Over Marshal Foch," Bukowski presents a satirical and exaggerated depiction of argument and belief, highlighting the absurd lengths to which humans will go to defend their viewpoints. The poem is a reflection on the nature of conflict, the difficulty of changing minds, and the inherent absurdity that characterizes much of human interaction.

POEM TEXT: https://archive.org/stream/Bukowskicollection/Play%20the%20Piano%20Drunk%20Like%20a%20Percussion%20Instrument%20Until%20the%20Fingers%20Begin%20to%20Bleed%20a%20Bit_djvu.txt

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