My Analysis of Having a Coke with You by Frank O'Hara - a calm read, would recommend.
Frank O’Hara
1926 –1966
is
even more fun than going to San Sebastian, Irún, Hendaye, Biarritz, Bayonne
or being sick to my stomach on the Travesera de Gracia in Barcelona
partly because in your orange shirt you look like a better happier St.
Sebastian
partly because of my love for you, partly because of your love for yoghurt
partly because of the fluorescent orange tulips around the birches
partly because of the secrecy our smiles take on before people and statuary
it is hard to believe when I’m with you that there can be anything as still
as solemn as unpleasantly definitive as statuary when right in front of it
in the warm New York 4 o’clock light we are drifting back and forth
between each other like a tree breathing through its spectacles and the portrait
show seems to have no faces in it at all, just paint
you suddenly wonder why in the world anyone ever did them
I look at you and I would rather look at
you than all the portraits in the world
except possibly for the Polish Rider occasionally and anyway
it’s in the Frick
which thank heavens you haven’t gone to yet so we can go together for the first
time
and the fact that you move so beautifully more or less takes care of Futurism
just as at home I never think of the Nude Descending a Staircase or
at a rehearsal a single drawing of Leonardo or Michelangelo that used to wow me
and what good does all the research of the Impressionists do them
when they never got the right person to stand near the tree when the sun sank
or for that matter Marino Marini when he didn’t pick the rider as carefully
as the horse it seems they were all cheated of some marvelous experience
which is not going to go wasted on me which is why I’m telling you about it
From The Collected Poems of Frank O’Hara by Frank O’Hara, copyright © 1971 by Maureen
Granville-Smith, Administratrix of the Estate of Frank O’Hara, copyright
renewed 1999 by Maureen O’Hara Granville-Smith and Donald Allen. Used by
permission of Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing
Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved.
(a) Introduction
"Having
a Coke with You" is a poem by Frank O’Hara, written in 1960. It expresses
the speaker's profound love and admiration for someone, elevating the simple
act of sharing a Coke to a transcendent experience. The poem, while playful and
informal in tone, is filled with references to art, culture, and travel,
suggesting that the joy the speaker derives from being with their companion
surpasses all other pleasures, whether they be artistic or worldly. Through
this poem, O'Hara captures how love can transform everyday moments into
something extraordinary.
Frank
O’Hara (1926-1966) was a central figure in the New York School of poets, which
included John Ashbery, Kenneth Koch, and Barbara Guest, among others. O’Hara's
work is known for its spontaneity, urban sensibilities, and blending of
personal experience with high culture. His career at the Museum of Modern Art
(MoMA) in New York greatly influenced his writing, as he was deeply embedded in
the art world, interacting with painters and artists of his time. O'Hara’s
poetry often reflects the vibrancy of New York City and the importance of
personal connections, while also offering a candid, stream-of-consciousness
style. His work continues to be celebrated for its immediacy, wit, and
emotional depth.
(b) Setting Analysis
The
setting of "Having a Coke with You" is both literal and figurative,
moving between physical locations and the mental space of the speaker. O'Hara
sets the poem in multiple places, comparing the act of being with his companion
to various cities and cultural experiences. The speaker mentions locations like
San Sebastian, Irún, Hendaye, Biarritz, and Bayonne—places that evoke the
romance and beauty of the European landscape. However, the significance of
these locations diminishes in comparison to the simple joy of sitting and
sharing a Coke with the person he loves.
The
mention of New York at “4 o’clock light” grounds the poem in a specific time
and place. The warmth and familiarity of this setting create a sense of
intimacy. Despite the various grand locations mentioned, the speaker values the
personal, everyday experience in New York City, where he can drift back and
forth between the person he loves, as if the world outside has faded away.
In
terms of characters, there are no traditional ones aside from the speaker and
his companion. The companion is described casually, in personal and endearing
details—wearing an orange shirt, loving yogurt—which contrast with the
grandness of the cities and artworks mentioned. These personal details
emphasize the theme of how love and companionship make everyday life richer and
more meaningful.
The
plot, though minimal, revolves around the speaker reflecting on the experience
of being with their companion, enjoying a simple moment that stands out against
the backdrop of travel, art, and culture. The speaker’s affection for the
companion becomes the focal point of the poem, and the way they describe this
relationship imbues the moment with depth and significance.
(c) Literary Device
Analysis
1.
Imagery: O’Hara’s use of imagery is
striking throughout the poem, filled with vivid and colorful descriptions. The
"fluorescent orange tulips around the birches" and "warm New
York 4 o’clock light" create a rich visual world. These images, though
seemingly disconnected, evoke a sense of calm and beauty in the ordinary
moment. By comparing his loved one’s appearance (the orange shirt) to a happier
St. Sebastian, O’Hara blends art and personal life, turning mundane details into
something radiant and lively.
2.
Simile and Metaphor: The poem uses
both simile and metaphor to enhance the emotional resonance of the speaker’s
thoughts. The simile comparing the companion to a “better, happier St.
Sebastian” is playful but also reverent, linking the person to a saintly figure
but with a modern twist. Another simile, “drifting back and forth between each
other like a tree breathing through its spectacles,” evokes a surreal and almost
whimsical sense of closeness, illustrating how natural and effortless their
connection feels. The metaphor of art being surpassed by love suggests that
art, though beautiful and grand, pales in comparison to personal experiences.
3.
Allusion: One of the hallmarks of
O'Hara’s style is his frequent use of cultural allusions, and "Having a
Coke with You" is filled with them. The speaker references specific cities
in Spain and France, artworks like the Polish Rider, Nude Descending a
Staircase, and artists like Leonardo and Michelangelo. These allusions serve a
dual purpose: they situate the speaker within a world of art and culture, but
they also highlight how, despite their prestige, these experiences cannot
compare to the joy of being with a loved one. The speaker’s indifference to
these grand cultural symbols reinforces the theme that personal relationships
hold greater significance.
4.
Tone and Diction: O’Hara’s tone is
conversational and light-hearted. The casual language creates an intimacy
between the speaker and the reader, as if we are overhearing a private thought
or conversation. This colloquial tone also plays with the formality of the
cultural references, making them feel less important or distant. Words like
"wow me" and the repeated use of "partly because" give the
poem a flowing, offhand quality that reflects the speaker’s sense of ease and
happiness in this moment. The diction, though simple, is carefully chosen to
reflect the spontaneity of the speaker’s feelings.
(d) Theme Analysis
1.
Love and Personal Connection: The
central theme of the poem is love, and how it has the power to transform the
ordinary into something sublime. The speaker’s affection for their companion is
so profound that it overshadows the allure of traveling to famous places or
viewing great works of art. In the speaker’s eyes, these grand experiences pale
in comparison to the simple joy of being with the person they love. This theme
speaks to the transformative power of love, showing how it can elevate even the
most mundane experiences, like sharing a Coke, into something deeply
meaningful.
2.
Art versus Life: Another major theme
is the relationship between art and life. O'Hara contrasts the grandiosity of
famous paintings, artists, and cities with the simplicity of everyday life. The
speaker reflects on how, despite the beauty and significance of art, it cannot
compare to the experience of being with someone you love. The poem challenges
traditional notions of what is valuable, suggesting that personal relationships
are more fulfilling than cultural accomplishments.
3.
Subversion of Cultural Expectations:
The poem also plays with the idea of cultural expectations, particularly the
belief that travel, art, and intellectual pursuits are the pinnacle of human
experience. O’Hara subverts this idea by declaring that these experiences are
secondary to personal joy and connection. By placing the act of sharing a Coke
above these lofty cultural symbols, the poem suggests that what truly matters are
how we feel in the present, and who we share those moments with.
(e) Conclusion
"Having
a Coke with You" is a light-hearted yet profound poem that explores the
beauty of love and its ability to elevate the ordinary. O’Hara’s casual tone,
rich imagery, and playful use of literary devices create a piece that is both
intimate and relatable. What stands out most in the poem is the way O'Hara
blends high culture with personal experience, showing that even the most
revered works of art or travel experiences cannot compare to the simplicity and
warmth of being with someone you love. A romantic at heart, just like a lot of
us.
The
poem's casual nature is one of its greatest strengths, but expanding on the
details of the companion could provide a more complete picture of the
relationship. Still, its charm lies in its spontaneity and simplicity, making
it feel genuine and heartfelt. Vanilla to be sure, but exquisite.
As
a group, we found the poem to be refreshing and relatable. It captures the
feeling of how love can make even the simplest moments feel extraordinary, and
how personal connections are more important than any cultural or intellectual
achievement. O’Hara’s ability to balance humor, warmth, and depth makes this
poem a joy to read and reflect upon. A truly sweet read for us all.
References
Glavey,
B. (2019). Having a Coke with You Is Even More Fun Than Ideology Critique. PMLA/Publications
of the Modern Language Association of America, 134(5), 996–1011. https://doi.org/10.1632/pmla.2019.134.5.996
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