Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Exquisite Candidate" by Denise Duhamel is a satirical take on political rhetoric and campaign promises, capturing the often absurd nature of political discourse through exaggerated caricature and humor. Duhamel's poem parodies the way politicians often pander to various segments of the electorate, offering simplistic solutions to complex issues and making grandiose promises that reflect more about cultural identity and desires than feasible policy initiatives.

The poem opens with a mock political promise about changing the food in the White House, humorously prioritizing fried eggs and ham over granola, suggesting a return to traditional, perhaps unhealthier, American values and tastes. This sets the tone for a campaign that appeals to nostalgia and populism, dismissing "airy" concepts like debate and intellectual engagement in favor of direct, crowd-pleasing assertions.

Duhamel uses the symbol of the pig, both literally in the form of ham and metaphorically as a symbol of "glee," to critique the superficiality of political symbols and the way they are used to manipulate public sentiment. The candidate's absurd promises continue with claims that his personal snapshots and family anecdotes are relevant qualifications for political office, suggesting that personal charisma and relatability are often substituted for substantive political qualifications.

The satirical tone intensifies as the candidate encourages Americans to "relax" and indulge in consumerism and superficial appearances, with references to buying big cars and teasing hair. This hyperbolic encouragement serves to critique the often shallow appeals made by candidates to consumerist impulses and national pride.

Further into the poem, the candidate dismisses criticism from opponents about pork as "sloppy coloring books," using this to underscore a dismissal of serious analysis or critique. This reflects a broader commentary on how political discourse often minimizes or trivializes important issues, reducing complex policy debates to easily digestible soundbites.

The candidate boasts about personal achievements that are irrelevant to political capability, such as canoeing over Niagara Falls and being a Juilliard graduate, to emphasize the absurdity of how personal narratives are often used in political campaigns to distract from a lack of substantive policy discussion.

Ultimately, "Exquisite Candidate" is a humorous yet sharp critique of political campaigning in America. Duhamel exposes how candidates often use irrelevant personal anecdotes, appealing to nostalgia, and making outlandish promises to garner support, rather than addressing real issues with thoughtful, realistic proposals. Through this poem, Duhamel invites readers to reflect on the nature of political persuasion and the characteristics that are truly important in a leader.

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