Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"T.R." by Donald Hall is a nuanced critique of Theodore Roosevelt, blending both admiration and censure. The poem navigates Roosevelt's multifaceted persona, acknowledging the absurdities and pretensions associated with him while also recognizing his surprising acts of cultural patronage.

The poem opens by confronting the "absurd" aspects of Roosevelt's image: "Moustaches and the stick, the New York fake / In cowboy costume grinning for the sake / Of cameras which always just occurred." These lines immediately call attention to Roosevelt's cultivated persona, emphasizing his use of public image and media. The moustache and cowboy costume symbolize his theatricality and flair for self-promotion, often seen as a contrived presentation designed to appeal to the public and the press.

Hall continues by casting doubt on the substance of some of Roosevelt's most famous exploits: "Granted that his Rough Riders fought a third- / Rate army badly run, and had to make / Headlines to fatten Hearst." Here, Hall diminishes the glory of the Rough Riders' campaign, suggesting that it was more a product of media hype, particularly driven by the sensationalist journalism of William Randolph Hearst, than a genuine military triumph. This view is further reinforced by questioning the sincerity of Roosevelt's trust-busting policies: "that one can take / Trust-busting not precisely at its word," hinting at the complexities and perhaps superficial aspects of his reformist zeal.

Despite this critical perspective, Hall introduces a pivotal and somewhat redeeming anecdote about Roosevelt: "Robinson, who was drunken and unread, / Received a letter with a White House frank." This refers to Edwin Arlington Robinson, a poet whose career was revitalized thanks to Roosevelt's unexpected support. The poem underscores the irony of Roosevelt, often seen as a brash and unsophisticated politician, championing the work of Robinson, who was relatively obscure and personally troubled at the time.

Hall's line, "To court the Muse, T. R. might well have killed her, / And had her stuffed," conveys a brutal image of Roosevelt's aggressive and domineering personality, suggesting that his approach to culture and refinement could be seen as heavy-handed and insensitive. Yet, this same "mountebank"—a charlatan or trickster—chose to honor Robinson over more conventionally celebrated literary figures like "Richard Watson Gilder," a prominent editor and poet of the time.

By choosing Robinson, Roosevelt demonstrated a rare and genuine act of cultural discernment and support, which contradicts his otherwise bombastic and performative public persona. This act of patronage is highlighted as particularly noteworthy given Robinson's personal struggles and lesser fame compared to his contemporaries.

In "T.R.," Donald Hall deftly navigates the dualities of Theodore Roosevelt's character. The poem acknowledges the constructed and often superficial elements of Roosevelt's public image while also recognizing the complexities and surprising depths of his cultural contributions. Through this balanced portrayal, Hall invites readers to reconsider their perceptions of historical figures, understanding that greatness often coexists with flaws and contradictions. The poem captures the essence of Roosevelt's enduring impact, not just as a political figure, but as a patron of the arts who, despite his many absurdities, managed to make a lasting and meaningful contribution to American literature.

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