Robert Archambeau responds:
While I am not now, and have never been, a member of the Communist Party, I did quote Marx on the matter of consciousness being determined by social conditions. Then again, I also quoted Adam Smith—approvingly! So the tired nature of my analysis must have its origins in something other than Marxism. But the real issue for me here is what I take to be a misunderstanding of what I hoped to show in citing Matthias's poem. Although the particular political issue it presents is indeed a trivial one—a dispute with local government authorities about a ticket—the issues it illustrates are profound: the conflict between civic and symbolic power. If I've misled any readers into disliking a wonderful poem by an important poet, I regret it.
While I am not now, and have never been, a member of the Communist Party, I did quote Marx on the matter of consciousness being determined by social conditions. Then again, I also quoted Adam Smith—approvingly! So the tired nature of my analysis must have its origins in something other than Marxism. But the real issue for me here is what I take to be a misunderstanding of what I hoped to show in citing Matthias's poem. Although the particular political issue it presents is indeed a trivial one—a dispute with local government authorities about a ticket—the issues it illustrates are profound: the conflict between civic and symbolic power. If I've misled any readers into disliking a wonderful poem by an important poet, I regret it.
Originally Published: December 30, 2008
Robert Archambeau Responds