Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Karen Fleur Adcock’s "Causes: Smokers for Celibacy" employs biting humor and sharp irony to challenge societal judgments about health risks, shifting the focus from smoking to sexual activity as a source of potential harm. In her trademark sardonic style, Adcock delivers a provocative critique of societal health warnings, questioning their priorities and assumptions while offering an exaggerated alternative perspective. The poem humorously champions cigarettes over sex, not as a genuine endorsement of smoking, but as a rhetorical device to explore themes of fear, control, and societal norms.

The poem opens with a statement that immediately sets the tone: “Some of us are a little tired of hearing that cigarettes kill.” From this line, it is clear that Adcock’s aim is to subvert the common health narrative. The poet uses this fatigue as a launching point to shift attention to the dangers of sexual activity, listing a litany of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and related conditions such as AIDS, herpes, chlamydia, and cervical cancer. Through this exaggerated focus, Adcock humorously suggests that sex, not smoking, is the real health threat. The tone is intentionally provocative, inviting readers to question why certain risks are vilified more than others.

Adcock juxtaposes the societal warnings against smoking with her own mock-serious warnings about sex. The language here is clinical and unsettling: “cystitis and NSU, not to mention genital warts and cervical cancer.” By mimicking the tone of public health campaigns, the poet highlights the absurdity of reducing human behavior to risk-avoidance strategies. This exaggeration underscores the often moralistic undertones of health advice, particularly regarding sex and lifestyle choices.

The poem’s humor becomes more pointed as Adcock addresses gender dynamics and the inequities inherent in sexual relationships. For women, she argues, the stakes are disproportionately high: “it is a depressing fact / that at least for women this disease is more likely to occur in the reproductive tract.” Adcock critiques the double standards surrounding sexual health and the ways in which women often bear the brunt of its consequences, both biologically and socially. This observation resonates with the broader feminist undertones of the poem, as it critiques not just health risks, but also the cultural expectations placed on women.

Adcock’s satire becomes even sharper as she compares cigarettes to sexual partners. Cigarettes, she suggests, are far less demanding companions: “They aren’t moody; they don’t go in for sexual harassment and threats.” The humor here is biting, with the poet contrasting the reliability and simplicity of cigarettes against the emotional and physical complications of human relationships. This comparison veers into the absurd, as Adcock lists the various grievances one might have with a sexual partner, including performance anxiety and incessant storytelling about their past. The absurdity highlights the inherent unpredictability of human relationships, which contrasts with the controllable and passive nature of smoking.

The poem also touches on issues of bodily autonomy and consent. Adcock humorously asserts that cigarettes, unlike some sexual partners, “just lie there quietly in their packs,” waiting to be used without imposing their will or desires. This wry observation underscores the ways in which power dynamics and consent are integral to discussions of sexuality. The poet’s exaggerated preference for cigarettes over sex serves as a satirical critique of the complexities and inequities of human intimacy.

The closing lines of the poem solidify its tongue-in-cheek tone. Adcock proclaims, “Just give us a fag,” as if cigarettes represent a preferable, less harmful alternative to the complications of sexual relationships. The reductive simplicity of this conclusion reinforces the satirical nature of the poem. Adcock is not genuinely advocating for smoking; rather, she uses the comparison to highlight the absurdity of society’s selective focus on certain risks while ignoring others.

Structurally, the poem is conversational and direct, mirroring the casual tone of a humorous rant. The rhythm is uneven, reflecting the poem’s satirical and improvisational feel. Adcock’s use of rhyme and rhythm is subtle, ensuring that the poem’s humor and critique remain its central focus. The language is unflinching and deliberately provocative, with phrases like “quaint old clap and pox” and “guzzling all our whisky” evoking both humor and discomfort.

"Causes: Smokers for Celibacy" is a sharp, irreverent critique of societal health narratives and cultural attitudes toward risk and morality. Through its biting humor and provocative comparisons, the poem challenges readers to question the priorities and assumptions that underlie public health discourse. Adcock’s satire not only entertains but also invites deeper reflection on the complexities of human relationships, the inequities of gendered health risks, and the often moralistic undertones of societal judgments.

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