Home Again Blues by James Agee: The poem and Analysis

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The poem

Now we are home with Mom and Dad

    And huckleberry pie,

In fact the Things We Fought For:

    And now we wonder why.

For Mom is just a garter-belt

    And Dad is just a bore,

And as for good home cooking

   We had too much before.

And that, we guess, is what means

   To be a U.S. Veteran.

We'll never fight another war.

   Until they start a better one.

The Analysis 

"Home Again Blues" by James Agee is a satirical poem that reflects on the disillusionment experienced by returning soldiers after World War II. The poem uses humor and irony to highlight the contrast between the ideals of homecoming and the reality of life after war.

The poem begins by describing the return home to familiar comforts like huckleberry pie and the things that were fought for. However, the tone quickly shifts as the speaker reflects on how these things, such as Mom and Dad, are now seen in a different light. Mom is reduced to being just a garter-belt, and Dad is dismissed as a bore. Even the idea of good home cooking, once cherished, is now seen as excessive.

The poem concludes with a cynical reflection on the experience of being a U.S. veteran. The speaker suggests that the disillusionment of returning home has led them to vow to never fight another war, unless a "better" one comes along. This final line is a biting commentary on the futility and disillusionment of war, as well as the difficulty of readjusting to civilian life after experiencing the horrors of combat.

Overall, "Home Again Blues" is a satirical poem that uses humor and irony to critique the romanticized notion of homecoming and the harsh realities faced by returning soldiers. Through its humorous tone and sharp observations, the poem offers a critical commentary on war and its effects on those who fight it.