Monday, November 28, 2005

Pet Peeve

Today in a class, a classmate quoted "good fences make good neighbors" from Frost's "Mending Wall" for its truth value.

I didn't think it was appropriate in a law class to call a classmate out for having no sense of poetic irony.

4 Comments:

Blogger Martha said...

Another poetic reference--and such a funny one, too.

Nice writing here! Martha

7:24 AM  
Blogger Maxwell said...

Thanks Martha!

10:03 AM  
Blogger Oscar Madison said...

In season four of The West Wing, the Republican candidate -- who's supposed to be a George W. Bush-type intellect -- makes the same error.

8:23 PM  
Blogger Maxwell said...

Ah, yes, doing more than just "reaching for the nuggets." That's a good scene.

The nuggets have always been one of the best things about Frost's poetry, and one its biggest downfalls. How many mainstream products in the last five years have used "I took the road less traveled" as their catchphrase, as if any product being advertised during prime time on a network qualifies? The irony is as heavy as an anvil, sometimes.

7:14 AM  

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