Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"File on Thelma Jordan" by John Ashbery is a poem that embodies the poet's signature style of fragmented narrative and stream-of-consciousness writing. The poem is an assemblage of disparate images, conversations, and reflections, creating a collage-like structure that defies conventional poetic form and linear storytelling.

The poem opens with a sense of routine and the mundane, as indicated by the lines "Coldly, we put away the cabin flatware. / Tomorrow, a transport strike. Damaged vacations will result." This suggests the disruption of everyday life and plans, a theme that recurs throughout Ashbery's work. The casual, almost indifferent tone ("What the fuck, we’re already in one") reflects a modern existential malaise.

Ashbery's poetry often blurs the boundaries between the mundane and the fantastical, as seen in the lines "Vague chintzes all around, her hair caught in the door." The poem weaves in and out of different scenes and dialogues, creating a sense of disorientation and fluidity. This technique mirrors the complexity and disjointed nature of contemporary life.

The mention of "Jacques in Vienna" and the shifting scenes ("Boston terriers," "sapphire eyes of one, confused") suggest a global, yet fragmented perspective, a common characteristic in Ashbery's poetry. The poem navigates through various settings and characters, each contributing to the tapestry of the narrative.

In typical Ashbery fashion, the poem oscillates between different voices and tones. The conversational elements ("So now about the apple? You know, what about it?") are juxtaposed with more enigmatic and poetic lines, creating a rich, multi-layered text.

The poem also delves into themes of memory, perception, and the passage of time, as seen in reflections on past events and the questioning of reality ("Why must things emerge / before you’ve finished wisecracking about them").

"File on Thelma Jordan" exemplifies Ashbery's ability to capture the fragmented, nonlinear nature of human thought and experience. The poem resists easy interpretation, inviting readers to engage with its complexity and to find their own meanings in the interplay of images and ideas. This openness to interpretation is a hallmark of Ashbery's poetic style, making his work both challenging and rewarding for readers.

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