Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Remembering an Account Executive" by Alan Dugan delves into the harsh and often cynical world of advertising through a vivid character sketch of an account executive working within this industry. The poem is saturated with dark humor and stark realism, presenting a scathing critique of the commercial exploitation of human vulnerabilities and the moral ambivalence that often characterizes the business world.

The poem opens with a description of the protagonist's position in "his older brother’s advertising agency," immediately situating him in a context of nepotism or familial advantage. His professional focus is on selling treatments for hemorrhoids, a subject that Dugan treats with both levity and disgust. The account executive is depicted as someone who has mastered an understanding of the "human asshole," both literally in terms of his product focus and metaphorically in terms of his insight into human weaknesses and how to exploit them for profit.

This executive’s work routine is punctuated by opulence and decadence—"three-hour lunches at the Plaza every day and cocktails at five-thirty with different dressy women." These habits contrast sharply with the grimy nature of his work, highlighting a dissonance between his professional and personal life. The stark juxtaposition suggests a compartmentalization of ethics and a pursuit of pleasure detached from the moral implications of his professional endeavors.

Dugan’s use of dark humor emerges in lines like "We joked that he fucked them up the ass to make more customers," where colleagues speculate crudely about his personal and professional engagements. This line also hints at how his work, which revolves around exploiting discomfort, permeates perceptions of his personal life, suggesting a blurring of boundaries between personal actions and professional tactics.

The protagonist is further depicted as an unpleasant figure, "nauseated by him because he picked his ears with the lead end of his lead pencil." This image is not only physically repulsive but also serves as a metaphor for the dirty dealings of his trade—digging into the unpleasant and extracting profit, much like his unhygienic habit.

As the poem progresses, it touches on the theme of futility and cynicism in corporate hierarchies—"Why argue? It must have been for executive power-feelings because the copy never changed." Here, Dugan critiques the illusion of influence and change within corporate structures, where power plays overshadow meaningful content or ethical considerations.

Dugan paints a dystopian prophecy articulated by the executive: the enduring image of a hemorrhoid ad running during Armageddon, a grotesque symbol of humanity’s lowest priorities persisting until the end. The executive’s envisioned end is one of grotesque satisfaction—"with a blonde’s ass in one hand and a scotch in the other," underscoring a life spent in hedonistic indulgence and selfish gain, untouched by the suffering marketed in his ads.

In sum, "Remembering an Account Executive" is a poignant, biting commentary on the dehumanization inherent in certain capitalist endeavors, particularly within the advertising industry. It explores the disconnect between the humanity of consumers and the inhumanity of those who see them merely as targets for profit. Dugan’s poem offers a stark reflection on the moral compromises and the cynicism that can pervade professional life, leaving a lasting impact on the reader’s perception of advertising and its ethical dimensions.

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