Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FORMALITY AND THE SOUL: 1. JOHN SINGER SARGENT by KARL W. BIGELOW

First Line: DAY- / A FORMAL GARDEN CAREFULLY LAID OUT
Last Line: IN THE FORMAL, ARTIFICIAL GARDEN.
Subject(s): HUMANITY; SARGENT, JOHN SINGER (1856-1925); SOCIAL CLASSES; CASTE;
DAY—
A formal garden carefully laid out
Closely cropped box-trees and the brilliant hues
Of myriad flowers.

The world—
But not the weary world;
Not the care-laden, toiling, sweating world.
The world of pleasure.

Plutocracy—
Superiority of wealth and learning.
Power, position, sleekness, snobbishness.

Society—five o'clock tea—
Five o'clock tea in the garden;
In the perfect garden;
In the formal, artificial garden.



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