Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Frost's "Departmental" is a satirical poem that presents a microcosm of bureaucratic efficiency and detachment through the lens of an ant colony. The poem uses the behavior of ants to comment on human societal structures, particularly the impersonality and procedural nature of institutions.

The poem opens with a seemingly trivial incident: an ant encounters a dormant moth on a tablecloth. Despite the moth being significantly larger, the ant shows no surprise or interest. This indifference highlights the ant's focus on its own duties, ignoring anything outside its immediate concern. The ant's brief interaction with the moth—"He gave it scarcely a touch, / And was off on his duty run"—sets the tone for the poem, emphasizing the ants' single-minded dedication to their roles.

Frost then contrasts this indifference with the specialized roles within the ant colony. If the ant were to meet one of the "hive's enquiry squad / Whose work is to find out God / And the nature of time and space," it would defer to the specialist, illustrating a highly organized and compartmentalized society. The ants, described as "a curious race," exhibit a structured approach to their existence, much like human bureaucracies.

The poem further explores this theme by describing how ants handle death within their community. An ant crosses the body of a deceased fellow ant without pausing, seemingly unaffected by the encounter. This lack of emotional response is attributed to the ant's role within the colony: "But he no doubt reports to any / With whom he crosses antennae, / And they no doubt report / To the higher-up at court." This chain of communication mirrors the hierarchical reporting structures found in human organizations.

Frost elaborates on the procedure following the death of an ant, named "Jerry McCormic," a "selfless forager." The use of a specific name adds a touch of irony, personalizing the ant in a context where individuality is otherwise insignificant. The process of reporting the death and the subsequent instructions from the Queen to the "special Janizary" responsible for burials is described in a mock-solemn tone. The mortician ant's actions—laying the dead ant "in state on a sepal," wrapping it "for shroud in a petal," and embalming it "with ichor of nettle"—are depicted with a ceremonious flair that underscores the absurdity of such elaborate rituals for an ant.

The poem concludes with the mortician ant carrying away the dead ant without any onlookers, reinforcing the notion that "It is nobody else's affair." The phrase "It couldn't be called ungentle / But how thoroughly departmental" captures the essence of Frost's satire. The procedures are efficient and respectful in their own way, but they lack any genuine emotional connection or personal engagement.

"Departmental" thus critiques the mechanistic and impersonal nature of bureaucratic systems. Through the behavior of ants, Frost draws a parallel to human institutions, where roles and procedures often take precedence over individual concerns and emotions. The poem's tone is lighthearted and humorous, yet it conveys a sharp observation about the nature of organized societies.

Structurally, the poem's rhythmic and rhyming couplets lend a jaunty, almost whimsical quality to the narrative, enhancing the satirical effect. Frost's use of anthropomorphism allows readers to reflect on the similarities between ant colonies and human bureaucracies, encouraging a critical examination of how society functions.

In essence, "Departmental" is a witty and incisive commentary on the detachment and efficiency of bureaucratic systems, using the microcosm of an ant colony to highlight broader societal observations. Frost's clever use of language and structure makes the poem both entertaining and thought-provoking, inviting readers to consider the balance between order and humanity in their own lives.

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