Analysis Of Money By Dana Gioia

"Money", a poem written by Dana Gioia, not only shows how powerful money can be, but also explores how evil and toxic it can become. The first thing to notice before reading the poem "Money" is a quote at the top of the poem that states, "Money is a kind of poetry" by Wallace Stevens. When reading it you might fly by without noticing what he is truly trying to say. Dana Gioia is trying to get the reader to question the true meaning of the poem before you read it. There are many ways that the quote could be understood. Past or present poetry can be very powerful and it can inspire, influence or motivate someone to do anything. This is similar for money it can control someone's life making them do things they would not normally do, it is a very powerful thing. Money can be used for anything in today's world and so can the pen and paper if the right words are used.

The beginning of the poem the author introduces the many names of money: "Money the long green, cash, stash, rhino, jack or just plain dough." (1-3) Since this poem was

written in the 1950's some of these nicknames for money are not used as much anymore. Some names have stayed the same, like stash, cash or dough. This shows how common money can be in society. When something has many nicknames, it usually means it is common in everyday conversations and use. Today money is one of the few things that run the world. Without money you cannot do very much. Not only do they symbolize how common, but how each name is a way money can be used. Stash is usually money saved for s certain occasion. Dough stands for something valuable in trade. Since money tends to be the most valuable thing in today’s society dough still describes money.
"Chock it up, fork it over, shell it out. Watch it burn holes through pockets." (4-6) Again the author shows the many common ways money is talked about in today’s world. They can be used to show the way people get their money or give it to someone else. When it says, Chock it up, fork it over this represents a purchase or an interaction where money has been given over to someone else. To burn holes through your pocket is a common term used today. It is an idiom, because you are not literally burning a hole through your pocket. It is often used to describe someone who spends money as soon as they get it. Many people in today’s world do not know how to save money, so when they have the urge to spend it they might say, “Its burning a hole in my pocket”. This is symbolizing how it needs to be taken out and used.
Then he shows how money plays an essential part in surviving in today's world.

"It greases the palm, feathers a nest, holds heads above water, makes both ends meet." (10-12) This part of the poem shows that not only is money very important, but without money we can't live a normal life in today's world. It feathers a nest means to give you shelter or a home. In order to have a home you must have money to buy it. While keeping your head above water means some people barely get by each month and struggle to support their family or themselves. The struggle comes from the lack of money and ability to buy needed things. When someone says to make both ends meet they mean by paying how much it takes to sustain a normal life. Without money most people could not accomplish this. He ends the poem wanting the reader to know just how toxic money can be. "Money, You don't know where it's been, but you put it where your mouth is. And it talks"

(16-18)
Money talks through you by influencing someone to do something they might not normally do in exchange for money. Ultimately showing how money controls everything, even you. This poem not only shows how essential money can be, but how powerful it is in today's world. The author really wants to get this across. It not only gives a different sense of how essential money is in today's society, but how horrible it can be at the same time. The rich live perfect lives while the poor struggle to get by each month in poverty and other's live their life’s controlled by money. The author understands that money is very important, but wants everyone who reads it realize the dangers that can come with it. Even though the poem was written in the 1950 not much has changed with money since.