Broadway by Maxwell Bodenheim (1928)
The work presents a vivid portrayal of urban life, focusing on the chaotic and superficial nature of a bustling city. It captures the essence of a diverse crowd, driven by desires and distractions, yet burdened by an underlying sense of futility. The imagery evokes a sense of urgency and restlessness, as individuals navigate through a landscape filled with artificiality and noise. The crowd is depicted as a collective entity, moving in a frenetic rhythm, yet each person is isolated in their own struggles and yearnings. Women are portrayed as embodying unfulfilled desires, while men seek temporary escapes from their realities. The juxtaposition of vibrant colors and the stifling atmosphere highlights the contrast between external appearances and internal discontent. Moments of clarity emerge amidst the chaos, where the innocence of children serves as a poignant reminder of lost simplicity and untainted aspirations. Their attempts to reach out to a seemingly indifferent society symbolize a yearning for connection and understanding in a world dominated by superficial interactions. Overall, the work critiques the hollowness of modern existence, emphasizing the tension between the pursuit of pleasure and the deeper existential questions that linger beneath the surface. It invites reflection on the nature of fulfillment and the societal constructs that shape individual experiences.
By Maxwell Bodenheim · First published 1928 · Genre: Poetry, Modernist Literature, Social Commentary · 180 words
First lines
With sardonic futility The multi-coloured crowd, Hurried by fervent sensuality, Flees from something carried on its back. Endlessly subdued, a sound Pours up from the crowd, Like some one ever gasping for breath To utter releasing words. Through the artificial valley Made by gaudy evasions, The stifled crowd files up and down, Stabbing thought with rapid noises. Women strutting dulcetly, Embroider their unappeased hungers, And men stumble toward a flitting opiate. Sometimes a moment breaks apart And one can hear the knuckles Of children rapping on towering doors: Rapping on the highway Where civilization parades Its frozen amiabilities!
What this Textopian page supports
Broadway is listed on Textopian as a poem by Maxwell Bodenheim, dated 1928 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Maxwell Bodenheim
- Date: 1928 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Modernist Literature, Social Commentary, Existentialism, Urban Fiction
- Length: 180 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Broadway by Maxwell Bodenheim
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Broadway?
- How does this poem by Maxwell Bodenheim fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work employs a lyrical style with vivid imagery and emotional depth, characteristic of poetic expression.
- Modernist Literature — The themes of disillusionment and the exploration of urban life reflect modernist concerns and aesthetics.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques societal norms and the human condition, highlighting the struggles within a bustling urban environment.
- Existentialism — The exploration of futility and the search for meaning in a chaotic world aligns with existentialist themes.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Modernism · Symbolism · Free Verse · Experimentation · Imagery · Metaphor · Allegory · Mythology · Dreams · Nightmares