Arithmetic may seem like a dull and mundane subject, but in the hands of poet Carl Sandburg, it becomes a source of absurdity and humor. In this blog post, we'll explore a collection of humorous phrases from Sandburg's poem 'Arithmetic,' which playfully subverts our expectations and delights with its wit and whimsy. From imaginary cats with nine tails to the never-ending cycle of buying and selling grapes, these passages will have you chuckling at the absurdity of it all. So grab your calculators and let's dive into the funny side of math!
Here are some humorous phrases or passages from the poem "Arithmetic" by Carl Sandburg:
- "One and one are two, but what are two and two?"
- "Arithmetic is where the answer is right and everything is nice and you can look out of the window and see the blue sky—or the green, depending on where you do your sum."
- "Arithmetic is where the cat has nine tails and you can sit in the shade and count them just as quick as a wink, if you are clever and know your arithmetic."
- "Arithmetic is where the weeds are as tall as the corn and nobody knows how many feet the house has."
- "Arithmetic is where you can buy a fifty cent grape and sell it for a dollar and then buy it back again for fifty cents and then sell it for a dollar and then buy it back again for fifty cents and then sell it for a dollar."
Each of the phrases or passages from "Arithmetic" is humorous because they use absurdity and absurdity to play with the reader's expectations.
- For example, in the first phrase, "One and one are two, but what are two and two?", the speaker is making a joke by pretending to be confused about a basic principle of arithmetic.
- In the second phrase, "Arithmetic is where the answer is right and everything is nice and you can look out of the window and see the blue sky—or the green, depending on where you do your sum.", the speaker is using hyperbole to exaggerate the positive aspects of arithmetic, making it seem like a perfect and idyllic activity.
- In the third phrase, "Arithmetic is where the cat has nine tails and you can sit in the shade and count them just as quick as a wink, if you are clever and know your arithmetic.", the speaker is using absurdity by suggesting that arithmetic involves counting the tails of imaginary cats.
- In the fourth phrase, "Arithmetic is where the weeds are as tall as the corn and nobody knows how many feet the house has.", the speaker is again using absurdity by describing a nonsensical and impossible situation.
- In the fifth phrase, "Arithmetic is where you can buy a fifty cent grape and sell it for a dollar and then buy it back again for fifty cents and then sell it for a dollar and then buy it back again for fifty cents and then sell it for a dollar.", the speaker is using absurdity and repetition to create a humorous and ridiculous scenario.
We hope you enjoyed this lighthearted look at the funnier side of arithmetic. Carl Sandburg's poem 'Arithmetic' reminds us that even the most seemingly mundane subjects can be infused with a touch of absurdity and humor. Whether you're a math enthusiast or a reluctant calculator, we hope these humorous phrases from Sandburg's poem have brought a smile to your face. So the next time you're tackling a math problem, remember to keep a sense of humor and look for the absurdity in the equations. Who knows, you might just find a cat with nine tails waiting for you on the other side.