Sign Inventory, week 1

This inventory comes from the poem "My Erotic Double" by John Ashbery, in The Vintage Book of Contemporary American Poetry, p. 284.

• The point of view shifts from 3rd to 1st to 2nd to 1st to 2nd to 1st to 2nd. This makes the poem more intimate as it progresses.
• The word "Erotic" in the title indicates a possible sexual nature words in the phrase "Another go-round?"
• The use of "go over" and "go-around" in regards to feelings gives a sterility to them as if they were objects of little concern.
• The narrator seems to be detached from feeling when interacting with his double when he emphasizes the intesity of "wordplay." Wordplay seems to fill the void of feeling.
• There is a loving nature between the two characters in the words "charming" and "rescue me." This indicates a security felt through interaction.
• The "dream" simile gives an unconscious nature to the relationship.
• There is a contradiction between the narrator and his double when he says, "You said it," followed immediately by, "I said it but I can hide it." This also indicates a dishonesty within himself.
• The character regains autonomy by exhibiting his ability to "choose" in the last stanza.
• The two characters converse amiacably at the end of the poem, which portrays a regaining of trust and an ultimately positive relationship.
• The placement of "The wordplay" is different than any of the other words, thus emphasizing its importance.