Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Stone-Deaf Albert Leaves the Concertina" by John Ashbery is a poem that presents a rich, layered narrative filled with political intrigue, societal shifts, and the inevitable passage of time. Ashbery's unique style of juxtaposing disparate images and scenarios creates a tapestry of meanings and interpretations.

The poem opens with the enigmatic figure of Stone-deaf Albert, who departs from a concertina—a symbol of music and perhaps joy. This departure sets the stage for a series of events that unfold in a reservoir, an enclosed space that could symbolize a contained society or community.

Albert's interaction with the hoi-polloi, or common people, indicates a connection with the masses, despite the apparent differences in their social statuses. The setting of a rainy summer provides a backdrop of melancholy and subdued energy, contrasting with the happiness that emerges at night. This nocturnal happiness, paired with the image of a house afire, suggests a sense of liberation or release, possibly from the constraints of daytime societal norms.

The poem then delves into a political realm, where sparks of revolution ignite in the garderobe (a historical term for a toilet or a wardrobe). This metaphor may signify the birth of revolutionary ideas in the most private or unexpected places. The transformation of incubi and succubi into politicians is a powerful image, blending the supernatural with the worldly, and suggesting the seductive and potentially malevolent nature of political power.

Rain washing the empty street further emphasizes a sense of cleansing or renewal, possibly following the chaos of political upheaval. The reference to fly-by shootings and the subsequent headlines illustrate a society in turmoil, where violence and political unrest are prevalent.

Albert's eventual downfall is depicted vividly, as he pays for his "evil ways" amidst a motorcade, indicating his elevated social or political status. The assassination scene, with its reference to a pimpled archduke and a Hispano-Suiza (a luxury car brand), evokes historical parallels, particularly the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which sparked World War I.

The poem concludes with a sense of moving forward in time, as society begins to read and invent anew, creating operas and radio plays. This progression represents a rebirth of culture and arts following the tumultuous events. The older generation remembers Albert as a complex figure—immaculate, jaded, and influential—a symbol of a bygone era.

In "Stone-Deaf Albert Leaves the Concertina," Ashbery weaves together elements of history, politics, and personal narrative to explore themes of change, revolution, and the enduring impact of influential figures. The poem invites multiple interpretations, each reading uncovering new layers of meaning in Ashbery's intricate, imaginative world.

POEM TEXT: https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/christopher-edgar-third-annual-poetry-contest-winner-christopher-edgar/

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