'Welcome to Spring' Summary

Welcome to Spring is a collection of poems by Ring Lardner that captures the harsh realities of life in the Jazz Age. Lardner's poems are full of humor and wit, but they also offer a sobering look at the emptiness of material success and the fragility of the American Dream.

The title poem, "Welcome to Spring," sets the tone for the collection. The speaker welcomes spring with a mixture of sarcasm and resignation. He knows that spring will bring with it new opportunities, but he also knows that these opportunities will likely be fleeting.

In "Springtime in the Rockies," a couple on their honeymoon discovers that their dream vacation is anything but romantic. The mountains are cold and the food is bad, and the couple soon begins to argue.

"The Love Nest" is a darkly funny poem about a married couple who move into a new apartment and quickly descend into domestic violence. The poem is a sharp satire of the American Dream, which promises a happy and fulfilling marriage.

In "The Young Man," a young man's dreams of becoming a baseball star are dashed by reality. The young man is talented, but he is also lazy and self-destructive. He eventually gives up on his dreams and settles for a life of mediocrity.

Lardner's poems are a sharp reminder that even in the midst of springtime, life can be difficult and uncertain. But they also offer a glimmer of hope, as Lardner's characters find strength in each other and in the simple joys of life.

The poems in Welcome to Spring are a powerful indictment of the Jazz Age, a time of great economic prosperity and social change. However, Lardner's poems are not just about the Jazz Age. They are about the human condition, and they offer a timeless message about the importance of hope and resilience.

Welcome to Spring is a complex and challenging book, but it is also a rewarding one. Lardner's poems are funny, sad, and ultimately hopeful. They offer a unique perspective on the human condition, and they continue to resonate with readers today.