Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Memories of Imperialism" by John Ashbery is a poem that intertwines historical references with Ashbery's characteristic surreal and playful approach. The poem seems to be a satirical and whimsical reflection on the figure of Admiral George Dewey, his role in the Spanish-American War, and the subsequent American imperialism, particularly in the Philippines.

The poem opens with a humorous and absurd assertion that Dewey, after taking Manila, invented the Dewey Decimal System, a library classification system actually developed by Melvil Dewey. This blend of historical fact with fanciful fiction sets the tone for the entire poem. Ashbery's conflation of these two Deweys creates a whimsical, almost nonsensical narrative, which is a hallmark of his style.

Ashbery humorously depicts Dewey's remorse and confusion over his role in imperialism. The mention of "library books with milky numbers / on their spines floating in Manila Bay" is a vivid and surreal image that conveys the sense of chaos and disorientation following the conquest. The poem suggests a deep unease with the consequences of imperialism, as Dewey becomes physically sickened by anything reminiscent of Manila, including innocuous words like "vanilla" and "mantilla."

The poem then shifts to a more intimate and bizarre scene between Dewey and his wife. She wraps him in a mantilla, a traditional Spanish lace veil, in a strange, almost erotic encounter. This scene could symbolize the entanglement and complexity of American involvement in foreign affairs and the personal toll it takes on those who are part of it. Her admonishment to "be glad you got away with it and are famous" reflects a cynical view of historical memory and the way figures are remembered or forgotten.

The final stanza of the poem shifts to Dewey's later life, presenting him as a "happy pedant," far removed from his military past. This portrayal underscores the theme of historical amnesia and the sanitization of imperialist figures. The closing lines suggest a desire for a static, unchanging world, free from the upheavals of history – a wish that the poem acknowledges as futile.

Overall, "Memories of Imperialism" uses absurdity, satire, and vivid imagery to critique the complexities of imperialism and the ways in which history is remembered and forgotten. Ashbery's playful manipulation of historical fact and fiction invites readers to question the narratives we are taught and to recognize the often surreal and arbitrary nature of historical memory.

POEM TEXT: https://ashberyhouse.yale.edu/memories-imperialsm

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