When poets refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.
Literary and Philosophical References
- William Carlos Williams, "The Red Wheelbarrow" (51)
- John Berryman, "Dream Song 14" (57)
- Herman Melville, Moby-Dick ("the white whale") (88)
Cultural References
- Paperson (9): "Paper son" was a name used for Chinese immigrants who used fake papers to enter America.
- "Kitchen deity" (24): This is a reference to a god in Chinese popular religion, known as "Zao Jun," who is believed to guard families.
Pop Culture References
- Marilyn Monroe (12, 18): She's the "blond bombshell" who was a famous movie star in the 1950s.
- "Santa Barbara" (53): It's a popular American soap opera set in Santa Barbara, California, that aired between 1984 and 1993.
- Godzilla (89): Yipes. He's a scary monster that first made an appearance in a 1954 Japanese film called—wait for it—Godzilla.