Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Tom Wayman’s "Paper, Scissors, Stone" is a sharp critique of the wage system and the inequities it perpetuates. Through its playful yet incisive exploration of labor, hierarchy, and compensation, the poem juxtaposes the child’s game of the same name with the real-world complexities of economic disparity. Wayman uses the interconnectedness of tasks and materials to challenge notions of superiority and value in labor, ultimately calling for a reevaluation of how work and workers are valued in society.

The poem opens by comparing wages across various professions, highlighting the arbitrary nature of income disparities: "An executive’s salary for working with paper beats the wage in a metal shop operating shears / which beats what a gardener earns arranging stone." These comparisons underscore the inconsistency in how different kinds of labor are compensated, with no clear rationale beyond societal and economic norms. The juxtaposition of disparate roles—executives, gardeners, surgeons, secretaries—reveals the inequity inherent in the wage system. Wayman suggests that these differences are not reflective of the actual contributions made by workers but are instead the result of a flawed structure that privileges certain types of work over others.

The poem’s exploration of these roles is layered with irony. For instance, while the surgeon’s use of scissors is valued more highly than the gardener’s work with stone, both tasks require skill, precision, and effort. Similarly, the secretary’s handling of paper may seem less important than the geologist’s analysis of stone, but both are essential to the functioning of their respective systems. Wayman’s comparisons draw attention to the interconnectedness of all work, emphasizing that no single role exists in isolation. The act of manufacturing paper, for instance, requires metal extracted with tools made from stone, while creating gravel involves scissors-like crushers and the use of paper for documentation. These connections dismantle the idea of a labor hierarchy, suggesting instead a web of mutual dependence.

Wayman extends this critique to address common justifications for wage disparities. He rejects the notion that education, seniority, or job importance should dictate earnings, arguing that these factors fail to account for the collaborative nature of work. The line "I keep seeing how the whole process collapses if almost any one of us is missing" underscores the collective effort required in any task. This recognition of interdependence challenges the myth of individual merit as the basis for higher pay. Similarly, the poet dismisses claims based on education—"I remember the taxes I paid to support her education. Should she benefit twice?"—and seniority, pointing out that experience alone does not guarantee effort or adaptability. Wayman’s critique is both practical and philosophical, questioning not only the logic but also the fairness of these arguments.

The poem’s structure mirrors its thematic exploration. The free verse form allows Wayman to move fluidly between specific examples and broader reflections, creating a conversational yet incisive tone. The lack of a strict meter or rhyme scheme reflects the unpredictability and inconsistency of the wage system itself, while the repetition of materials—paper, scissors, and stone—reinforces the interconnectedness of labor. This refrain ties the poem together, transforming the objects from symbols of disparity into tools of potential change.

One of the poem’s most compelling arguments is its critique of the wage system as a whole. Wayman dismisses the idea that unequal pay is inevitable or justified, pointing out that "everybody dissatisfied, continually grumbling and disputing" is the current reality. This dissatisfaction, he suggests, stems from a system that fails to recognize the equal value of all contributions. By proposing that "whatever we do at the job for our eight hours—as long as it contributes—has to be worth the same," Wayman advocates for a radical reimagining of compensation, one based on equity rather than hierarchy.

The closing lines bring the poem full circle, turning the materials of paper, scissors, and stone into tools for dismantling the wage system. This transformation from symbols of disparity to instruments of change emphasizes the poem’s call to action. Wayman’s suggestion that we can “set to work to stop it / with paper, with scissors, and with stone” is both hopeful and practical, urging readers to recognize their collective power to challenge and reshape unjust systems.

"Paper, Scissors, Stone" is ultimately a critique of the arbitrary and inequitable nature of the wage system, as well as a celebration of the interconnectedness of labor. By weaving together the roles of workers across professions and the materials they use, Wayman highlights the fundamental interdependence that underlies all work. The poem challenges readers to question the hierarchies that dictate compensation and to envision a more equitable system where all contributions are valued equally. Through its vivid imagery, conversational tone, and incisive arguments, the poem invites us to reflect on the structures that shape our lives and to imagine a future built on fairness and solidarity.

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