Two Scavengers In A Truck Two Beautiful In A Mercedes
The Poem
“Two Scavengers In A Truck Two Beautiful In A Mercedes” is a poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, an American poet, painter, and activist. The poem was published in 1958 and is part of Ferlinghetti’s collection of poems titled “A Coney Island of the Mind”. The poem is a commentary on the stark contrast between the lives of the rich and poor in modern-day America.
The poem describes a scene in which two garbage collectors, referred to as “scavengers” in the poem, are standing at a red light next to a Mercedes. The occupants of the car are described as “beautiful people” who are “casually coifed” and “expensively dressed”. The poem contrasts the lives of the garbage collectors, who are working-class individuals, with the wealthy occupants of the Mercedes.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem is a powerful commentary on the class divide that exists in modern society. The garbage collectors are described as “on their way home from work” while the occupants of the Mercedes are “on the way to work”. This contrast highlights the difference in the lives of the rich and poor. While the garbage collectors are working hard to make ends meet, the occupants of the Mercedes are going to work in order to maintain their luxurious lifestyle.
The poem also comments on the superficiality of modern society. The occupants of the Mercedes are described as “casually coifed” and “expensively dressed”, highlighting the focus on appearance and material possessions in modern-day America. The garbage collectors, on the other hand, are described as “grimy” and “dirty”, emphasizing the physical labor that they have to endure in order to make a living.
The poem also has a strong political message. The use of the word “scavenger” to describe the garbage collectors is significant, as it highlights the way in which working-class individuals are often looked down upon and treated as if they are less important than those who are wealthy. The poem is a commentary on the capitalist system in which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
Conclusion
“Two Scavengers In A Truck Two Beautiful In A Mercedes” is a powerful poem that highlights the class divide that exists in modern society. The poem comments on the superficiality of modern society and the way in which working-class individuals are often treated as if they are less important than those who are wealthy. The poem is a powerful commentary on the capitalist system and the way in which it perpetuates inequality and injustice.