Heart Full of Love: Thematic Analysis of Corso’s "Marriage"

Born in New York City in 1930, Gregory Corso became one of the leading voices of the beat movement. In his signature works, there are the wild thoughts of Gregory Corso himself, flowing out of his head. Having a conversation with himself, coming up with the different situations he might be put in if he decides to get married - such issues are the focus of one of his best-known works, "Marriage." The theme that the poem “Marriage” is showing us involves the personal fears that can be very relatable for the people that are thinking to get married, or possibly to those who are dating. Despite ironic and disorienting imagery, this is a text that, ultimately, suggests a positive meaning in terms of modern relationships.

Corso’s marriage topic opens with the following questions, “Should I get married?” “Should I be good?” (1). This line basically tells us that getting married means to become good. Marriage is something that he expects to be out of him. It is showing us that he can be capable of love, but also that love is a feeling that people can have towards each other. Thinking about the different scenarios he might face, Corso talks about the girl next door of how he can astound her and go out on a date with her. Corso does not follow the typical ways a guy does to go out with a girl. For example, he takes his girl to cemeteries instead of going to the movies with her. He wants to kiss her and make good love to her, but she refuses. As we know, he gets angry, mad and what not, but keeps his temper to himself. He convinces and tries to sleep with her “You must feel! It’s beautiful to feel!” (7). Corso tries, but does not accomplish of what he wanted out of her. Corso will start up his next plan by pondering about the constellations that are roaming in the sky. When he meets her parents, he has that very uncomforted feeling. He tried to look his very educated best. So, he does not ask where the bathroom would be, even though he needed to use it. These traditions that he sees are the only steps to take if he wants his girl’s parent’s approval. When he even gains his approval, “Say All right get married, we’re losing a daughter but were also gaining a son” (22). He was not so sure if whether to ask for the bathroom “And should I then ask Where’s the Bathroom?” (23).

Gradually, the narrator also shows the disgust on his face from people’s actions around him when he gets married. He describes the priest’s look at him as if he was masturbating, and under all the pressure created by this social scenario, when the priest asks, “Do you take this woman for your lawful wedded wife?” (28). He hesitates and bursts out “Pie glue” which basically rhymes with “I do”. Once the ceremony is over, all the young men pat him on the back, and offer their congratulations and send the newlyweds off to their honeymoon sport where many couples will go to do the “same thing” (39) to consummate their marriage. These actions or the setting that this gives us is that honeymooners have it as a chore, meaning it is an important duty to be performed because it shows the beautiful expression of love. I deny Honeymoon! / running rampant into those almost climatic suites / yelling Radio belly! Cat shovel! (44-45). This shows his demon self of the marriage. The text shows us that this couple is being trapped or is being fallen into a bad area of their lives.

The speaker, earlier, is trying to keep up or imagine of how he can consist a good marriage life, how were he to be loved, to “How it’d be nice to come home to her” / and sit by the fireplace and she in the kitchen / aproned young and lovely” / (52-53). He tries to imagine how might his life be peaceful at this certain setting and time. He would end up imagining his life where the most exciting part of the day would be when his wife would burn the roast. Well, yet again he still thinks that his life maybe peaceful when it is not, until he would start to think about the stupidity he made. “Christmas Teeth! Radiant Brains! Apple deaf!” (59) He also thinks of the times where he said weird stuff to random strangers who came to his house too. He thought about the little things of his life and his marriage as well. A snow-covered home in Connecticut, with cute little tiny kids in his house. He thought about how boring may his life be? He wishes and what he wanted was to live with his wife in a beautiful penthouse in New York, but he just could not believe that he can be tied up and “marry that pleasant person dream” (97).

The emotion that Corso has symbolized in this poem makes the love of it only appear within the end of this poem. He is trying to figure out his whole life, whether he should get married or call this a sacrifice of his love. He is trying to wonder what he should do if marriage was the only thing left for him to do, to be with the women he loves. Marriage is a commitment of love, and this couple seemed to love but to also dislike each other. The speaker knows he would be willing to sacrifice, if he meets “the one” for him. The theme of this poem reminds us that marriage is certainly very beautiful, because it is an act of love and commitment. It provides the opportunity for a man and a woman to grow in selflessness.

Works Cited:

Corso, Gregory. “Marriage” The Happy Birthday of Death. New Directions, 1960. Pgs 29-32.