SECOND SERIES
[Greek: 'Estin ar o idiotismos eniote tou kosmou parapolu
emphanistkoteron.']
The Annotated Edition
SECOND SERIES by James Russell Lowell
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This poem by James Russell Lowell begins with a Greek epigraph that translates roughly to "Sometimes the vulgarity of the world is made far too manifest" — a wry, philosophical insight into how everyday life can reveal the world's roughness all too clearly.
- Themes
- art, identity, sorrow
§01Quick summary
What this poem is about
This poem by James Russell Lowell begins with a Greek epigraph that translates roughly to "Sometimes the vulgarity of the world is made far too manifest" — a wry, philosophical insight into how everyday life can reveal the world's roughness all too clearly. As the second series of a larger work, it establishes a tone of sharp social commentary intertwined with classical knowledge. Lowell employs the authority of Greek to deliver a straightforward message: the world's crudeness tends to reveal itself, regardless of our desire to ignore it.
§02Themes
Recurring themes
§03Line by line
Stanza by stanza, with notes
[Greek: 'Estin ar o idiotismos eniote tou kosmou parapolu emphanistkoteron.']
Editor's note
The entire poem is presented as a Greek epigraph, which translates roughly to: *'Sometimes the commonness of the world is made far too visible.'* The term *idiotismos* here refers to its classical meaning of 'commonness' or 'vulgarity' — implying something low, ordinary, or crude — rather than the contemporary English sense of 'idiocy.' Lowell uses this at the beginning of his second series, almost like a thesis statement: the following content will reflect the world's rougher aspects. By choosing Greek, he suggests that this is an age-old issue with human civilization, rather than a recent concern.
§04Tone & mood
How this poem feels
Lowell’s style is dry, sardonic, and composed in a classic way. He maintains a distance from outrage, showing more weary acknowledgment than fiery anger. Using Greek for his critique, he layers a sharp social judgment within a scholarly calm, allowing the sting to hit softly instead of with a loud bang.
§05Symbols & metaphors
Symbols & metaphors
- The Greek epigraph
- Using Greek instead of English immediately suggests that the vulgarity being discussed is a long-standing, civilizational issue — not merely a local American grievance. It also adds a layer of irony: a sophisticated language is being employed to criticize the less educated world.
- idiotismos (vulgarity/commonness)
- The Greek word suggests the idea of the 'common' or 'low' — representing the everyday, unrefined nature of mass life. Lowell employs it to shape his social critique: the world's roughness isn't concealed but rather embarrassingly visible.
- The 'second series' framing
- Positioning this as a sequel suggests that the first series already made its point, and things haven't gotten better. The numbering itself turns into a subtle joke — the vulgarity continues, so the commentary has to keep up as well.
§06Historical context
Historical context
James Russell Lowell (1819–1891) was a prominent American poet-critic in the nineteenth century. He held a professorship at Harvard, edited *The Atlantic Monthly*, and later served as a diplomat. His most famous works, the *Biglow Papers* (First and Second Series, 1848 and 1867), showcase his sharp satire, employing Yankee dialect to critique American political hypocrisy—first during the Mexican-American War, and later in the context of the Civil War. The title "Second Series" indicates his intention to revisit these persistent social issues with new insights. A well-read scholar of classical literature, Lowell often began his works with Greek or Latin epigraphs, which served both as a demonstration of his knowledge and a rhetorical strategy, linking his American social critiques to a broader historical narrative of human folly. The epigraph’s assertion that the world’s vulgarity is "too manifest" aligns seamlessly with his enduring mission to elevate the standards of American public life.
§07FAQ
Questions readers ask
It translates to roughly: *'Sometimes the vulgarity (or commonness) of the world is made far too plainly visible.'* The key term is *idiotismos*, which in classical Greek refers to the quality of being common, low, or unrefined — not stupidity as we understand it today.
It's a conscious rhetorical choice. Using Greek indicates that this issue is ancient and ongoing—not merely a critique of 1860s America. It also adds an ironic twist: a sophisticated form of communication highlights the world's lack of sophistication.
This is likely linked to Lowell's *Biglow Papers*, a two-part satirical work. The First Series (1848) criticized the Mexican-American War, while the Second Series (1867) addressed the Civil War era. The reference to the 'second series' suggests that the initial criticism didn't suffice — the world continued to provide him with material.
The text here consists solely of the Greek epigraph. In its original context, this would have acted as a preface or motto for a more extensive collection of poems or prose-poems. On its own, the epigraph serves as a concise thesis for all that comes after.
Lowell consistently examined social hypocrisy, political cowardice, and the disconnect between America's ideals and its real actions. This epigraph — highlighting how the world's vulgarity is all too apparent — aligns perfectly with that theme. He constantly called attention to what polite society often chose to ignore.
In the nineteenth century, an American reader with a college education would have had sufficient classical training to recognize and roughly understand Greek. Lowell was targeting this literate, educated audience while also gently challenging them; the epigraph suggests that even those with an education are surrounded by the coarseness he describes.
Yes, distantly. Both words trace back to the Greek *idiotes*, which refers to a private individual, a layperson, or someone lacking special skills or refinement. Over time, 'idiot' in English evolved to imply foolishness, whereas in classical Greek, *idiotismos* signified commonness or vulgarity — the essence of the uneducated, everyday world.
Lowell was recognized for both his sharp criticism and satire as well as his lyric poetry. This epigraph reflects his typical perspective: knowledgeable, slightly distant, and keenly aware of human shortcomings. He wasn't just a poet focused on beauty or emotion—he consistently scrutinized the flaws within society.
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