Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Main Currents of American Political Thought" by George Palmer Garrett Jr. is a reflective and deeply nostalgic poem that mourns the loss of a bygone era, symbolized by the personal and political legacies of the speaker's grandfather. The poem opens with a vivid description of a past filled with richness and simplicity, evoking a sense of warmth and community through images of family gatherings, the abundance of nature, and a life deeply connected to the earth and its rhythms. The "chipped demitasse cups," "a fire on the hearth," and "a yard full of chickens" are not merely nostalgic symbols but represent a way of life that valued connection, tradition, and the natural world.

The speaker then transitions to the political wisdom imparted by the grandfather, highlighting two pillars he believed essential for maintaining the democratic spirit of the country: "the free public schools and the petit jury." These institutions are presented as foundational to American democracy, embodying the principles of education and justice accessible to all. However, the speaker notes with sorrow that even these bedrocks of democracy are eroding, reflecting a broader disillusionment with the state of the nation and its departure from its foundational ideals.

The poem also touches on the familial legacy of the grandfather, mentioning his numerous offspring and the slow decline they, and by extension their generation, are experiencing. This decline mirrors the fading of the values and way of life the grandfather stood for, suggesting a generational shift that has led to a more "bitter, shiny" present, characterized by materialism and cynicism.

In the final stanzas, the speaker contrasts the grandfather's political engagement and optimism—evidenced by his campaigning for Adlai Stevenson at the age of ninety—with his own apathy and disillusionment. The choice of Stevenson, a figure known for his intellectualism and integrity, underscores the grandfather's belief in principled political engagement. The speaker's admission of having to "force myself to vote, choosing among scoundrels" encapsulates a sense of lost faith in the political process and the caliber of its participants.

"Main Currents of American Political Thought" is thus a lament for the loss of an America that once was—an America of community, integrity, and democratic ideals—as seen through the eyes of a generation that feels disconnected from the political and social ethos of their forebears. Through the personal lens of family and the broader lens of national identity, Garrett captures the sense of alienation and nostalgia that characterizes much of contemporary American political and cultural discourse.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Yellow_Shoe_Poets/2D6aqhb651oC?q=BACA+%22MEN+LATE+AT+NIGHT+COOK+COFFEE+IN+RUSTY+CANS%22&gbpv=1&bsq=MAIN%20CURRENTS#f=false

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