Frank CarsonIntro to Poetry Writing  Prof.

Barbu1/09/18PoetryAnalysisA poem with a very simple message, Ode tothe Tomato is a really great poem to read which also goes in depth inmany things through images which are open to multiple perspectives. This poemwas made in 1954 as a part of the book series, Elementary Odes. Thepoem reverses the myth that there really isn’t anything to celebrate in the simpleworld today. In the poem, the tomato is supposed to be transformed andreplicate an average Chilean and deal with similar civil problems and politicalcrimes. The writing starts at the conclusion of the year and begins to talkabout how it doesn’t bring closure but brings new possibilities.

Then in December,people are gathered celebrating Tomatina which is the festival of tomatoes. Inthe beginning of the poem when tomatoes are being thrown streets are floodedwith tomato juice and a good amount of harvest of tomatoes and the throwingspree became a representative of celebrating native identity. This is because,tomatoes started in Latin America before they were carried in to Europe. The sentencein the poem “light is halved like a tomato” hints at the possible bloodshed inChile in the result of civil strife and the dictatorship that went on.

Thetomatoes that ease on the counter tops, among the glasses, butter dishes, blue,slat cellars, resemble the bonding among people who are different from oneanother such as, the glasses, salt cellars, and butter dishes. The poet makesan obvious reference to the civil conflict and social fighting which wentagainst the common citizen. It is very interesting that the poet Neruda choosesthe word “assassinate” for this he holds the whole nation “we” responsible forit. The word puts stresson the importance of the rights of the citizen in the country. Things the poetsays such as, “red viscera,”, “living flesh” make for a very bloody image in myhead which makes it into a would never anything to do with politics “thesalads/ of Chile” find life rough and enjoyable at the same time, “a cool/sun”.  The tomatoes resemble the complicatedidentity of the Chilean citizen whose whole life has a lot of simple joys in it.

 The weddings take place and they arereally socially inclusive which were festive affairs that tomatoes and onions cometogether. In the poem, it talks about the obvious culinary association when thepoem says, “it is wed/ to the blonde onion”, the big reason for the poetbringing in an onion and saying it is “blonde” is to describe the varieties ofa Chilean citizen who has layers. Filial oil of the olive tree references theSpanish influence in Chile. When the poem referenced ingredients such as pepper,salt, and all the spices that individually enhance the taste and flavor of the”day’s dish” suggests a harmonious group of people who are similar and veryracially distinct.