“Wild Grapes”
The traditional bucolic, pleasant imagery of grapes growing wild on the vine is tossed out the window in this poem. The grapes wild because the Mulligans and Hartigans are no longer around as caretakers of the orchard. Where once grew cherries and apples now grow Isabella grapes and the imagery takes on a cannibalistic aspect as the speaker moves from describing the consumption of the wild grapes to thoughts of Isabella who lives on the orchard as the harsh sweetness of outlaw vines.
“Gulliver”
A dramatic monologue spoken in the first person by a Gulliver who lies in helpless restraint. He considers trading anything in the world for escape from such prison. Every attempt fails and ultimately he reaches the point of preferring the hangman to continued restless restraint with little hope of breaking free.
“Captain Dobbin”
The Captain’s story is related in a non-linear fashion. The tales of adventure and heroics is placed within the context of memory. The tale is ultimately a melancholy one as the one-time heroic adventurer now “sails the street in a brick villa, `Laburnum Villa.’"
“William Street”
Through intense imagery, the speaker brings to life city living constantly pointing out aspects of such that his unidentified companion persistently finds ugly, but which he thinks is lovely. City life is manifested as a place of harsh garish lights, the acrid smell of greasy cooking, pickpockets and loose women.
“Toilet of a Dandy”
The poem is about “toilet” in the traditional sense of the word; the poem is not about a commode. The poem brings to life a dandy named Harry’s two-hours long ministrations to himself. He changes outfits many times which requires the use of a presser, bootjacks, hairbrushing, and as much peering at his reflection in mirrors as Narcissus might engage.
“The Ghost”
A dramatic monologue paints a picture of a party atmosphere inside an Inn. Fat kitchen workers are running amidst “Wenches in tousled silk” lit by candlelight to the soundtrack of music playing constantly. “O, to be there alive / Breathing again” cries the observer watching with face pressed against a window, revealed at the end to be the titular specter.
“Advice to Psychologists”
The opening images set the tone and provides insight into the speaker’s position on psychology as he terms the profession as one made up of a “spies that pierce the mind with trenches.” The advice at the end is for these spies to stop asking questions and “Walk on your nostrils, like a dog.”
