a salesman is an it that stinks [part of a title of one of his poems, published in 1944)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A salesman is reduced to a worthless object that emits negativity.
- In plain terms
- The author sees a salesman as something bad and empty.
- What can you take from it?
- Commercial roles can dehumanize people.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What roles feel dehumanizing?
- How do you value labor?
Another view
It is a harsh generalization about salespeople.
More from E. E. Cummings
The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
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