Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Maxine Kumin?s "Spree" delves into the complex dynamics of family life, blending themes of parental authority, financial conflict, childhood fantasy, and social performance. Through rich imagery and a tone that oscillates between nostalgia and irony, the poem captures the nuanced interplay between a domineering father, a submissive mother, and a child observing and interpreting these roles. Kumin uses the metaphor of a "spree" to explore the paradoxes of indulgence and control, weaving together domestic tensions and the fantastical escapism of a child?s imagination.

The poem begins with a vivid depiction of the father pacing the upstairs hall, likened to "a large confined animal / neither wild nor yet domesticated." This image immediately sets the tone of restrained power and suppressed tension. The father?s anger, described as smelling of "righteous wrath," dominates the domestic space, while the mother sits "meekly" at the escritoire, embodying passivity. This juxtaposition establishes the power imbalance in their relationship, with the father wielding authority and the mother embodying defiance subdued by societal expectations.

The source of the father?s anger is revealed through the bills from high-end stores like Wanamaker?s, Bonwit Teller, and Strawbridge?s, symbols of the mother?s perceived extravagance. These items represent not only financial strain but also the cultural expectations of a polished, affluent image. The father’s wrath over these bills contrasts with his public charm at "dinner parties," where he dazzles guests with his wit and carving knife—a performance of domestic control and masculine charisma. However, the speaker notes a lingering sense of decay, as "something overripe malingers," suggesting that beneath the polished exterior lies a deeper dissatisfaction or dysfunction.

Amid this domestic tension, the child narrator navigates her own understanding of the family dynamics. She observes her father’s anger with a mix of fear and curiosity, likening it to the noise of a bustling household. Yet, beneath her bed, she imagines a "gold and purple escalator" that transports her to a fantastical undersea world. Here, she mingles with dukes and princes, embodying a version of herself that is glamorous and desirable. This dreamlike escape contrasts sharply with the rigid confines of the family?s reality, reflecting the child’s longing for agency and beauty in a world dominated by her father’s authority.

The narrator’s imaginative world mirrors the indulgence her father criticizes in her mother. Shopping becomes "an art form," akin to a "costume ball," blurring the lines between necessity and performance. This duality highlights the societal pressures on women to cultivate an image of refinement and elegance, often at the expense of practicality or financial restraint. The child?s fantasy thus serves as a lens through which she processes her parents’ conflicts, transforming mundane domestic disputes into a narrative of royal indulgence and fairy-tale opulence.

The poem’s latter half shifts into a reflective tone as the child addresses her father directly, blending affection and irony. She recalls his role in enabling the very excesses he critiques, evoking the magical imagery of Cinderella: "You chose the mice for footmen, clapped / to call up the coach and four." This fairy-tale analogy underscores the performative nature of the family’s social standing, with the father both casting and critiquing the spell of affluence. The child’s realization that the "ermine muff" required the sacrifice of "twelve poor / little things" adds a note of moral ambiguity, questioning the ethics of luxury and its costs.

The final lines encapsulate the paradox of the father’s role: "You paid the bills, Papá. You cast the spell." This acknowledgment affirms his dual position as both the enabler and critic of the family’s indulgences. His financial power underpins the household’s affluence, yet his anger underscores the strain such indulgences place on their lives. The child’s tone here is both accusatory and affectionate, recognizing the complexity of her father’s character and his influence on the family dynamic.

Kumin’s "Spree" masterfully intertwines the personal and the societal, using the microcosm of a family to explore broader themes of gender roles, economic privilege, and the interplay between fantasy and reality. The poem’s richly detailed imagery and layered tone invite readers to consider the costs—both literal and emotional—of maintaining appearances and the ways in which children navigate and reinterpret adult conflicts. Through its blend of humor, nostalgia, and critique, "Spree" captures the enduring complexities of family life and the contradictions inherent in human relationships.

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