Sore Throat by C.J. Dennis (1918)
The poem explores the tension between the use of coarse language and the societal expectation for civility, particularly in the context of war. The narrator, a soldier, reflects on his upbringing and the naturalness of swearing in his life. He encounters a young man advocating for a "Clean-Lipped" approach, which prompts him to attempt to suppress his natural speech. Despite his efforts to conform, the narrator finds that the suppression of his swearing becomes problematic, especially in the heat of battle. He struggles to maintain his vow of clean language while facing the chaos and violence of war. The poem illustrates the absurdity of trying to adhere to societal norms in extreme situations, highlighting the emotional release that swearing provides. As the narrator engages in combat, he realizes that the inability to express himself through swearing hinders his ability to fight effectively. His eventual injury serves as a metaphor for the consequences of repressing one's true feelings and instincts. The poem concludes with the narrator acknowledging that while he may have kept his lips clean, the suppression has led to a painful throat, symbolizing the internal conflict between societal expectations and personal expression.
By C.J. Dennis · First published 1918 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, War Literature · 827 words
First lines
The pale young man he comes to me, An' chats me good an' fair; "That langwidge that you use," sez he "Pollutes the good clean air. Why don't you chuck sich silly rot, An' line-up with our Clean-Lipped Lot?"
Well, 'abit's 'abit; there you are, An' since I was a kid, In school an' shop an' street an' bar, I picked up words, I did. To use the fancy swears I hear Comes natural as sinkin' beer.
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Sore Throat is listed on Textopian as a poem by C.J. Dennis, dated 1918 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: C.J. Dennis
- Date: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, War Literature, Social Commentary, Australian Literature
- Length: 827 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Similar titles
- The Bore by C. J. Dennis
- Vulgar Fractions by C. J. Dennis
- My Poor Relation by C. J. Dennis
- To Be Amused by Henry Lawson
- The Also Ran by C. J. Dennis
- Cow by C. J. Dennis
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Humor — The poem uses wit and satire to critique societal norms regarding language and swearing.
- War Literature — The poem reflects on the experiences of soldiers and the impact of war on language and expression.
- Social Commentary — The poem critiques social attitudes towards language and masculinity.
Tags
poetry · humor · Australian literature · satire · verse · narrative · social commentary · language play · character study · everyday life · rural themes · colloquialism