by Whitman · Cluster: Satire of Society · Epigram · Satire
Abstract
Epigrammatic world-upside-down poem reversing judges and criminals, keepers and prisoners; satirical reformist inversion of social order.
Connections
Topoi: World Upside Down Themes & Concepts: Reform, Satire of Society, Justice Right and Wrong Forms & Genres: Epigram
Testo integrale / Full text
Let the reformers descend from the stands where they are forever
bawling—let an idiot or insane person appear on each of the stands;
Let judges and criminals be transposed—let the prison-keepers be
put in prison—let those that were prisoners take the keys;
Let them that distrust birth and death lead the rest.