Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"1933," by Kenneth Fearing, is a scathing critique of society and the political landscape of the early 20th century, particularly the rise of fascism and the economic chaos following the Great Depression. The poem is a biting exploration of political hypocrisy, economic exploitation, and the commercialization of truth, delivered through Fearing's characteristic use of irony and satire. With vivid imagery and repetitive motifs, he exposes the contradictions and absurdities of a world grappling with truth and deception.

The poem opens with the speaker describing how a gentleman "with automatic precision, speak[s] the truth." This proclamation is met with "Cheers. Triumph," reflecting the public's desire for clarity and honesty amid tumultuous times. However, this is quickly followed by the revelation that "the gentleman lied," which, ironically, is also met with "Deafening applause" and "Thunderous applause." Fearing's repetition of enthusiastic responses, regardless of the veracity of the speaker's words, underscores the public's blind acceptance of authority figures, even when they are blatantly deceptive.

Fearing then takes us "Down Mrs. Hogan's alley," where people scramble through garbage to find scraps of food. The image of a rib of sirloin "wrapped in papal documents" is a powerful metaphor for the intertwining of religion and economic desperation. The speaker snatches the rib, claiming it as their own, and is soon met with the smiling face of a politician in a "museum window" proclaiming "A new deal." This juxtaposition of public policy slogans with the grim reality of poverty and hunger highlights the empty promises often made by leaders during times of crisis.

The poem's narrative shifts dramatically to a surreal sequence where the speaker is "decorated 46 times in rapid succession by the King of Italy" and "took a Nobel prize." This absurd exaggeration is followed by the speaker's return to poverty, "evicted again," and forced to "sleep at the movies, stood in the breadline." The fluctuation between grandiose honors and destitution reflects the instability and unpredictability of life during the Great Depression.

Fearing continues with a satirical portrayal of political and economic systems. The "Jewish Veterans of Foreign Wars" express "Rage," while "the poet of the Sunday supplements voiced steamheated grief." The RFC (Reconstruction Finance Corporation) and "Fuller Brush hour" symbolize government attempts to address the economic crisis, though these efforts are depicted as ultimately ineffective or superficial.

The poem then takes on a cyclical pattern, with familiar motifs repeated: "the gentleman, with automatic precision, speak[s] the truth" before lying again, and the "lady's virginity" is continually "restored." This repetition reinforces the idea that society is caught in a loop of falsehoods and empty promises.

Fearing explores the collusion between political and religious figures through a séance involving "the ectoplasm of Pius VIII" and an endorsement of "A test of the people's faith." The séance scene reveals the manipulation of the masses by those in power, with the "astral form of Nicholas II" and figures like Adolph Thiers joining in a "Sacred union of all." This imagery satirizes the rise of fascism and the use of religious and nationalist rhetoric to justify oppression.

The poem reaches its climax with the resurrection of the dead, "saw ten million dead returned to life, shot down again, again restored." Fearing portrays the cyclical nature of violence and the exploitation of people's hopes for peace. The final sequence, where "the child was nursed on government bonds" and "cut its teeth on a hand grenade," reveals a generation raised on the promises of war and profit, immune to the horrors of violence.

In "1933," Kenneth Fearing creates a biting critique of political and economic systems through a blend of surrealism, repetition, and dark humor. The poem captures the contradictions and absurdities of a world where truth and deception blur, and where economic exploitation and political manipulation perpetuate cycles of violence and despair. Fearing's vivid imagery and satirical tone highlight the fragility of human decency amid the commodification of politics and truth. The poem ultimately serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers of blind allegiance to authority and the manipulation of truth for profit and power.

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