Context - Please Hold

• The poem 'Please Hold' was written by Ciaran O'Driscoll
• The poem 'Please Hold' was written in 2018, when Ciaran O'Driscoll was 75 years old, the poem deftly depicts the conundrum of modern technology: more often than not, automated systems and devices are frustrating, time-consuming, and not particularly helpful, yet we live in a world where they are quickly becoming the only available option
• The poem 'Please Hold' might be seen more specifically to reflect the feelings of older generations, who weren't raised to interact with automated technology but with each other.
• The poem 'Please Hold' explores a sense of profound disconnect and alienation in contemporary society, particularly through the interaction between the speaker and the robotic system on the phone; this alienation is exemplified by the robotic responses that fail to address human needs and frustration - This underscores a bleak acceptance of a dehumanized existence where genuine communication and understanding are replaced by automated, impersonal interactions
• The poem 'Please Hold' acrimoniously critiques Consumerism and Capitalism through the lens of the robotic phone system - The speaker's frustration stems from paying for a service that doesn't fulfil its promises, highlighting the exploitation of consumers for profit
• The poem 'Please Hold' explores a pervasive theme of powerlessness and futility encapsulated in the repeated command 'Please Hold', this phrase transforms from a mundane request to an existential commentary on life itself, suggesting that waiting indefinitely and being put on hold symbolise the helplessness of individuals in a bureaucratic and automated World - The speaker's futile attempts to assert agency, highlights the overarching theme of human insignificance in the face of technological and corporate dominance
• The poem 'Please Hold' employs irony and satire to critique the paradoxes of modern technology and communication -The juxtaposition of human emotions and robotic responses creates a sense of absurdity and humour amidst the frustration
• The poem 'Please Hold' delves into existential reflections on the nature of progress and the implications of technological advancement; this prompts readers to consider whether progress equates to improvement in quality of life or merely to increased efficiency at the expense of human connection and empathy
• Ciaran O'Driscoll's poem 'Please Hold' emerges as an Acrimonious (Bitter) Diatribe about technology, employing Sardonic (Grimly mocking) wit and Vitriolic (filled with bitter criticism) critique to lambast the dehumanizing effects of modern communication systems; through the speaker's frustrating interaction with a robotic phone service, the poem exposes the absurdity of technological promises versus their actual fulfilment, highlighting a profound sense of alienation and powerlessness