Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Underwriters" by John Ashbery unfolds as a surreal narrative that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, blending commercialism, historical allusions, and personal reflections. The poem starts with a seemingly straightforward anecdote about Sir Joshua Lipton, who popularizes a type of tea. However, the narrative quickly diverges into a series of bizarre and whimsical events, showcasing Ashbery's signature style of blending the mundane with the extraordinary.

The initial focus on tea and its global spread hints at themes of commercialism and globalization. Ashbery often explores how ordinary objects or events can take on larger, more complex meanings. The transition from a simple act of selling tea to a global phenomenon mirrors how small actions can ripple out into broader cultural and economic impacts.

The poem then takes a surreal turn with the sponsor's odd request for infants to listen to the Book of Job. This eccentric and seemingly irrational demand could symbolize the capriciousness of power and wealth, where those in positions of influence can impose their will, no matter how absurd, on others. The reference to the Book of Job, a biblical text associated with suffering and endurance, adds a layer of irony and possibly critiques the insensitivity of those in power to the plights of the less fortunate.

The theme of time's passage is evident in phrases like “the 'sands' of time, as they call them, are slipping by.” This could reflect on the transient nature of life and the quiet, often unnoticed, passage of time amidst the chaos and absurdity of the world.

Ashbery's reference to a future where names are read from a rollcall yet to be heard suggests a predestined or fated quality to life, where events are already written even before they occur. This could be interpreted as a comment on the inevitability of life's journey and the predetermined nature of human experiences.

The closing lines of the poem bring a sense of nostalgia and longing. The return to the tie siding, a place of origin or beginning, and the desire to share stories of life's journey, imply a human need for connection and understanding. The intimate gesture of brushing bangs and seeking comfort highlights the poem's underlying theme of human connection amidst the bewildering array of life's experiences.

In "Underwriters," Ashbery masterfully weaves together disparate elements to create a tapestry that reflects on the complexities of life, the unpredictability of human experience, and the enduring need for human connection and understanding

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