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Michael Kadish
9/8/95
.5
The poem "When in Rome" deals with feelings of a servant, Mattie, to Mattie's new mistress. Mattie obviously feels patronized by his employer. She is going to leave Mattie in the kitchen where it becomes apparent how much Mattie despises the talk his mistress gives him. While in the kitchen she tells him about the food available, and he shows what it takes to survive being a servant.
Mattie feels that she does not put him on her level. This is probably true. She is telling him what is available for his lunch. She treats him very diminutively, "Mattie dear\ the box is full." She tries to show him that he will be comfortable under her care and offers him food. Mattie is quick to point out to himself "there ain't no meat," after the mistress tells him, "the box is full take whatever you can eat." Rather than showing him cynical and distressed over his mistress's insensitive speech, this is creating an important point. Mattie probably considers the available food to be no more than snack food. "Endive and cottage cheese" are offered to Mattie. While these are obviously not any luxury, they certainly do not compromise a working man's meal. This shows the ignorance involved in the master-servant relationship.
The misunderstanding continues when the mistress shows off her "wealth." She tells Mattie not to have "my anchovies they cost too much!" possibly creating a forbidden fruit situation, with the difference being a clear lack of interest. Mattie is a servant; he needs strength. He cannot lounge around the house eating anchovies. As he so bluntly puts it, "what she think, she got-\ a bird to feed?" Again this shows the misconceptions the mistress has about the hard work of the servant.
Mattie, however, is a good servant. He obviously has built up some resentment towards his past masters and mistresses, but still he proves himself valuable on two accounts. First, he comes up with snide remarks to his mistress, but is able to keep them to himself. His thoughts are shown in parenthesis to keep them in his mind so that they are only perceived by him. Secondly, he knows instinctively that the food she offers is not right for him, but instead he needs food making a substantial meal. While other workers might go for the delicacies, Mattie knows what food is needed to keep strong.
Mattie has another thing going for him. He has goals. He intends to go somewhere and do something with his life. The line "Hope I lives till I get\ home" shows this. He doesn't let anything his mistress say bother him, for he knows that his job is only temporary. He feels that the more sophisticated "Romans" are small-minded but in continuance of the title, he must do like these Romans in their home.
The poem "When in Rome" shows the misconceptions between a mistress and her servant. He is a good worker because he knows to eat right and not question orders. He knows he is considered inferior by his mistress, and although it bothers him, he deals with it. The mistress also causes problems. While she talks down to him, she also expects Mattie to live the life she demands of him while only allowing him dainties. The poem demonstrates the burn the servants must feel towards their ignorant masters and mistresses.