The Good Life
By Tracy K. Smith
When some people talk about money
They speak as if it were a mysterious lover
Who went out to buy milk and never
Came back, and it makes me nostalgic
For the years I lived on coffee and bread,
Hungry all the time, walking to work on payday
Like a woman journeying for water
From a village without a well, then living
One or two nights like everyone else
On roast chicken and red wine.
Understanding “The Good Life” – A Summary
- A Poem of Perception: Tracy K. Smith’s “The Good Life” isn’t simply about finances; it’s a thoughtful exploration of how we think about money and how that shapes our understanding of a fulfilling life. First appearing in her acclaimed collection Life on Mars, the poem blends personal experience with broader social commentary.
- Money as a Metaphor: The poem cleverly presents money as a “mysterious lover”, an elusive, often absent force that people project desires and anxieties onto. This striking metaphor is central to the poem’s meaning. Smith contrasts this public perception of money with her own lived experience of financial hardship.
- The Core Idea: At its heart, “The Good Life” asks us to consider what truly constitutes a good life. Is it accumulation of wealth? Or is it finding contentment even amidst scarcity? The speaker’s memories of simple pleasures – coffee, bread, a rare meal of chicken and wine – suggest that happiness isn’t necessarily tied to abundance.
In-Depth Analysis of “The Good Life”
The Opening Lines and the Power of Metaphor
The poem begins with a bold claim: “When some people talk about money / They speak as if it were a mysterious lover.” This isn’t a literal statement, but a striking metaphor. Smith immediately establishes that the poem will explore the psychological relationship people have with money. The idea of a “lover” suggests desire, dependence, and perhaps even a sense of loss. The fact that this lover “went out to buy milk and never / Came back” introduces a sense of abandonment and unfulfilled promise. This isn’t about financial security, it’s about the idea of security and the disappointment when it doesn’t materialize.
Nostalgia and the Contrast of Experience
The speaker’s nostalgia is key: “and it makes me nostalgic / For the years I lived on coffee and bread.” This is a surprising admission. One might expect nostalgia for wealth, not for hardship. This suggests that the years of scarcity, while difficult, held a certain authenticity. The simplicity of “coffee and bread” contrasts sharply with the elusive “lover” of money. The phrase “Hungry all the time” is starkly honest, grounding the abstract idea of money in the reality of physical need. The repetition of “all the time” emphasizes the pervasive nature of this hunger.
The Village Woman, A Powerful Analogy
The image of the woman “walking to work on payday / Like a woman journeying for water / From a village without a well” is central to the poem’s message. This comparison isn’t about romanticizing poverty. Instead, it highlights the relentless, cyclical nature of labor for those without privilege. Like the woman fetching water, the speaker toils to secure basic necessities. The “village without a well” is a powerful metaphor for systemic lack, a society where resources are unevenly distributed. This image reframes the idea of the “good life”, it isn’t necessarily about having more, but about having access to the essentials.
Fleeting Moments of Pleasure
The final lines, “then living / One or two nights like everyone else / On roast chicken and red wine,” offer a glimpse of joy amidst hardship. These moments aren’t about luxury; they are about temporary relief, a shared human experience of pleasure. “One or two nights” emphasizes the rarity of these treats. The pairing of “roast chicken and red wine” is a classic symbol of simple abundance, a temporary escape from the daily grind. The phrase “like everyone else” suggests a sense of belonging, a shared humanity that transcends economic status.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “The Good Life”
Enjambment and Flow
Smith skillfully employs enjambment—the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without punctuation—to create a sense of flow and momentum. Notice how lines like “Hungry all the time, walking to work on payday / Like a woman journeying for water” run seamlessly into each other, mirroring the continuous cycle of labor and need. This technique avoids a choppy rhythm and draws the reader deeper into the speaker’s experience.
Imagery and Sensory Detail
The poem is rich in imagery, appealing to the reader’s senses. We can vividly imagine the “coffee and bread,” the arduous journey for water, and the savor of “roast chicken and red wine.” This sensory detail grounds the abstract ideas of the poem in concrete reality, making them more relatable and impactful. The imagery isn’t merely decorative; it’s integral to the poem’s meaning.
Metaphor and Symbolism
The central metaphor of money as a “mysterious lover” is the driving force of the poem. Beyond this, Smith employs symbolism throughout. Water represents basic necessity, the village symbolizes systemic hardship, and the rare meal represents fleeting moments of pleasure. These symbols aren’t explicit; they invite interpretation and encourage the reader to engage with the poem on a deeper level.
Sound Devices: Assonance and Consonance
Subtle uses of assonance (repetition of vowel sounds) and consonance (repetition of consonant sounds) enhance the poem’s musicality. For example, the repetition of the ‘m’ sound in “makes me” creates a subtle connection between the speaker and their memories. While not overwhelming, these sound devices contribute to the overall aesthetic impact of the poem.
Key Quotes for Discussion
The following lines are particularly evocative and suitable for analysis:
Like a woman journeying for water
From a village without a well, then living
One or two nights like everyone else
On roast chicken and red wine.
This passage encapsulates the poem’s central message: the good life isn’t necessarily about wealth, but about resilience, community, and the ability to find joy even amidst hardship.
“The Good Life” is a deceptively simple poem that rewards careful reading. It challenges us to reconsider our assumptions about money, happiness, and the true meaning of a life well lived.