Please hold

• Structure


  • The ‘narrowness’ of the poem is quite unusual, with the short lines likely to be noticed by a reader, as it could be interpreted as giving a ‘never ending’ feeling with there being line after line of text; reflecting the feeling when phoning a customer service helpline
• "I have a wonderful telephone number and a great account number"


  • Ironically exaggerated responses from the robot makes them even more meaningless - the hyperbolic responses are of no help - they are lifeless but human - sinister
  • Sarcastic and humorous - frustration is useless because the robot won't care
• "This is the future, my wife says"


  • Refrain is repeated throughout the poem - his wife has accepted her fate in the society and has become submissive to technological advancements
  • Establishes the theme of the poem
• "Or you can say Agent if you'd like to talk to someone real, who is just as robotic"


  • Robots are restricting our language
  • Technology has drained humans of sensitivity - wife and the robot presented in similar ways - ironic
• "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Please Hold. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Please Hold"


  • Repetition is frustrating again - shows cyclical structure that humanity is stuck in because of technology
  • Translates to 'a little night music' but Mozart - soft lullaby contrasts to anger
  • Cold society destroys beautiful music - technology destroys art
• Themes

  • Technology
  • Entrapment
  • Age