Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Kay Ryan’s "Marianne Moore Announces Lunch" is a witty and incisive exploration of formality, aesthetic values, and the interplay between language, refinement, and the mundane. By using the act of announcing a meal as her framework, Ryan crafts a sharp commentary on the delicate balance between style and substance, particularly in artistic and intellectual circles. The poem simultaneously pays homage to and gently critiques Marianne Moore’s meticulousness and her distinctive literary style, which often combined precision with abstraction.

The poem opens with "several well-placed cracks on crystal," a deliberate and elegant gesture to call attention. This sets the tone for the portrayal of Moore, whose work and persona are marked by careful control and sharpness. The phrase "somewhat minatory call" introduces a humorous tension, as though the act of announcing lunch carries a subtle warning or authoritative undertone. This mixture of humor and precision mirrors Moore’s own poetic style, which often balanced between seriousness and whimsy.

The lunch itself is described as "long (interminable)" and "light," establishing a contrast between its duration and its substance. The use of parenthesis highlights the speaker’s wry perspective, hinting at the performative nature of such gatherings. The items on the menu are "barely edible" and chosen not for nourishment but for their aesthetic qualities, such as "crunch" or "a green translucence." This suggests a preoccupation with surface over sustenance, an obsession with form over practicality. The imagery invites readers to consider the delicate, almost impractical elegance of such an occasion, where the focus lies more on presentation than on satisfying hunger.

Celery, which "figures centrally," becomes a symbol of this aesthetic preoccupation. Ryan humorously critiques its complexity, noting that "if only the strings might be plucked or aeolean / we might achieve Style." This fanciful suggestion of turning celery into a musical instrument—an Aeolian harp—underscores the absurd lengths to which one might go to imbue something simple with artistic significance. It reflects the tension between achieving "Style" and remaining grounded in the real or the functional.

Ryan introduces a striking metaphor to critique the contrast between clarity and indulgence: "a clarified butter rather than the opaque margarine which spreads of its own accord." Clarified butter, refined and pure, represents precision and intentionality, while margarine, unrefined and ubiquitous, symbolizes carelessness and overindulgence. The latter is associated with "greasing the jowls of the coarser gluttons," evoking a distaste for excess and vulgarity, particularly in intellectual or artistic contexts. This disdainful tone underscores the poem’s exploration of refinement, suggesting that true artistry requires effort and restraint.

The phrase "trafficking in words" subtly connects the aesthetic concerns of the lunch with the literary world, where similar tensions exist between style and substance. Ryan humorously critiques the pretensions of intellectual gatherings, likening them to public boards rife with "coarser gluttons" who consume language without discernment.

The closing lines address the central problem: "how to make wits rise to a new level." Here, Ryan shifts the focus to the challenge of elevating discourse and achieving intellectual or artistic transcendence. The whimsical suggestion of "some subtle device which will secretly / raise the legs of the table" encapsulates the poem’s humor and wit. The idea of literally raising the table legs to elevate conversation highlights the absurdity of trying to engineer refinement, while also reflecting the underlying desire for transformation and improvement.

Structurally, the poem mirrors its subject matter. The language is precise and measured, with enjambment creating a sense of fluidity and control. Ryan’s choice of specific, unexpected imagery—such as celery strings and margarine—imbues the poem with humor and accessibility while also pointing to deeper philosophical questions about the nature of art, refinement, and value.

Thematically, "Marianne Moore Announces Lunch" addresses the tension between style and substance, formality and authenticity, and the performative aspects of both art and social rituals. Ryan’s portrayal of Moore is both affectionate and critical, recognizing the brilliance and precision of her aesthetic while gently poking fun at its potential excesses.

Ultimately, the poem serves as a reflection on the aspirations and absurdities of art, intellectualism, and refinement. By situating these themes within the context of a seemingly trivial event—a lunch announcement—Ryan underscores the universality of these tensions, inviting readers to consider their own preoccupations with style, substance, and the pursuit of perfection.

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