Foreign by William Carlos Williams
The poem presents a dialogue between two contrasting identities: a Russian named Artsybashev and an American speaker. The speaker reflects on their differences and similarities, questioning the nature of their lives and responsibilities. The speaker imagines Artsybashev's domestic life, pondering whether he faces the same struggles and societal expectations. The speaker's musings reveal a sense of curiosity about the Russian's existence, contemplating whether Artsybashev experiences the same burdens of parenthood, domestic chores, and societal judgment. The speaker's tone is both inquisitive and somewhat dismissive, suggesting that while these reflections are intriguing, they may not hold significant importance in the grand scheme of life. The poem explores themes of identity, cultural differences, and the human condition, emphasizing the shared experiences of individuals despite their varied backgrounds. The speaker's reflections serve to highlight the universal nature of personal struggles, questioning the value of one's societal role and the perception of success. Ultimately, the work invites readers to consider the complexities of life and the often trivial nature of our concerns.
By William Carlos Williams · First published 1921 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Poetry, Social Commentary · 190 words
First lines
Artsybashev is a Russian.
I am an American.
Let us wonder, my townspeople, if Artsybashev tends his own fires as I do, gets himself cursed for the baby's failure to thrive, loosens windows for the woman who cleans his parlor -- or has he neat servants and a quiet library, an intellectual wife perhaps and no children -- an apartment somewhere in a back street or lives alone or with his mother or sister -- I wonder, my townspeople, if Artsybashev looks upon himself the more concernedly or succeeds any better than I in laying the world.
I wonder which is the bigger fool in his own mind.
What this Textopian page supports
Foreign is listed on Textopian as a poem by William Carlos Williams, dated 1921 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: William Carlos Williams
- Date: 1921 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Poetry, Social Commentary, Modernist Literature, Philosophical Fiction
- Length: 190 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Foreign by William Carlos Williams
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Foreign?
- How does this poem by William Carlos Williams fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of identity, cultural differences, and personal introspection, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Poetry — The writing style employs poetic elements, including rhythm and imagery, typical of Williams' poetic works.
- Social Commentary — The text reflects on societal norms and personal experiences, providing insight into cultural and social dynamics.
- Modernist Literature — The work embodies modernist themes of alienation and fragmented identity, aligning with modernist literary movements.
Tags
Experimental · Modernist · Poetry · American Literature · 20th Century · Avant-Garde · Free Verse · Imagism · Symbolic · Stream-of-Consciousness · Psychological · Inner Monologue