Marvell Noir by Ann Lauinger
Glossary:
roadhouse band- A British rock band that constantly tour and plays at events all over the country. There are many of these types of band in America to.
Highballs- an alcoholic drink consisting of a base spirit and a non alcoholic mixer.
Annotations:     1. Marvell was a “metaphysical poet who was born to a church clergyman farther of Winestead –in- Holderness England in 1821.”When he was 3 his family moved to Hull England where he studied at Christian schools. In 1640’s his mother and father died, he was only 19. “He then traveled the continent of Europe extensively for four years writing poetry.” His sojourn provided his materials for them. He eventually went to work for the council of state General Cromwell and his wards, he believed in the system. He was appointed Milton secretary (Milton was secretary for foreign languages in Cromwell’s government) according to an article on poetry.org .he stayed at this post till he was elected into parliament. His style is subtle and introspective and his poems revolved around issues of the changing times in an elegant elaborate conceit way.
2. Noir: the word used to describe a stylish Hollywood crime drama with emphasis on cynical attitude sexual motives and bad girls. This period of noir films are associated with low key black and white visuals and rooted in Europe. The attitude of noir films derived from the school of crime fiction which encompasses a range of plots where the central character can be a victim, private eye, officer of the law and a woman with questionable virtues.
  An Explication of Marvell Noir
By Alicia Parris- Daley
The poem author Ann Lauinger takes on the persona of the poet Andrew Marvell. This poem is centered around Marvell’s experiences with a woman with questionable virtues along his travels as a reputable man of the political system. The setting is that of English elegant crime film. The word s of Marvell noir to the ear sounds much like an old English script. The tone is sweet, honest and innocent at first but then became subtly harsh and insensitive like police officer.
Marvell being the man he was, welled traveled and involved in parliament met a woman at a road house band. In the poem he starts off with wanting time which means he was probably on one of his trips. As you read the poem Marvell tone sounds sweet to any tramp. The fact that Marvell mentioned in the very first line “Sweetheart if we had the time” indicates a tramp on both sides, the mere fact that he choice those words is indicative that time is a factor in this situation and that it is short and urgent. Further more in line 2 he reveals that he would not mind spending time with her “a week in bed would be no crime”. But to reference one week shows his intention would be to live life to the fullest and get all the pleasures out if life for that one week but not long term. The phrases used to describe their imagined week, phrases like line 3,” I’ll light your Camels (Cigarettes), pour your Jacks “(Alcohol) and line 6 “I’ll write a sonnet to your legs” brings the image of a prostitute to mind. If they had the time they would have a wonderful week. Yes! She would watch his stubble grow.
But then as she revealed her life he interprets it with tones that are insensitive ,harsh and scornful. He states in line 9 “I’d hear the whole sad tale again:” making it sound as if she’s the victim and confirming that he has been in situations like this before. “A roadhouse band, you can’t trust men.”  These are allusions which lends itself to the idea that this woman is not innocent in Marvell’s eyes. At a roadhouse band is probable where Marvell met the woman. And to talk about not “trusting men” is to indicate past betrayal the woman experiences .He goes on in line 10 and 11 to explaining her life experiences with men and how she did things she did not want to do but had to “He set you up; you had to eat.” She was set up for a crime she did not commit and was using her womanly charm to solicit sympathy from Marvell.
The author  uses cocophony in the end rhyme of lines 13-16 “ lied…died…fake… mistake” all which are distasteful to the ear and in meaning which reveals Marvell’s disgust and dislike for the lifestyle of the woman. After hearing her sad tale and interpreted it his way he becomes cynical and full of attitude.” Aw, can it sport! He barked feeling as if she’s trying to play him. He makes it clear to her in line 17, that she is the one in trouble. He declared “you’re in it doll, up to your eyeballs!” these words are harsh and authoritative and sound cynical and cold which changes the tone of the poem and set the stage for drama.
Marvel becomes condescending and patronizing “Tears? Please!” line 18. The Question indicate Marvell’s disbelief that she would try to sucker him with tears and the exclamation that followed show his disbelief in her innocents, especially because as this is all unfolding they are having highballs (liquor).This does not lend credibility to her innocents. And he sees right through her dirty character.
In line 21 and 22 Marvel made it clear that he is not the guy to sucked because as he himself is not innocent and precious, in line 23 “ and precious, I kind of wish I was.” Marvell was just as cold heated as the man who set her up. His tone in line 24-25 shows a nonchalant attitude “well,” he said when they spring you give a buzz.” “Guess I’ll go back to Archie’s wife” line 25. He continues to prosecute her in line 26-31 saying “you’ll get 25 to life. “you have time more than enough …to reminisce about the stuff that dreams are made of…”and all the men she suckered in her line of work. In the pen your kind of talent goes to waste” she won’t be able to sucker men in jail.
Marvell insults the woman in line 32 -33 by saying “Irish bars are more my taste than iron ones: stripes aren’t my style” meaning that he does not prefer jail. Marvel, like a true backstabber, reminds her that she is going down but he will visit every other year. And just like a man who paid for sexual favor, after using her and insulting her expects that she come over and kiss him as he tells her the cops are here.
Referances:Â Â Â Â 1. www.wikipedia.org
3. www.poemhunter.com ;
