Phyllis McGinley: Middle-Bracket

Phyllis McGinley Money Quote saying Everything about them is average from income to home, to attitudes. Phyllis McGinley said:
 
 

 

“I’m a middle-bracket person with a middle-bracket spouse, And we live together gaily in a middle-bracket house. We’ve a fair-to-middlin’ family; we take the middle view; So we’re manna sent from heaven to internal revenue” — Phyllis McGinley

This quote by Phyllis McGinley is satirizing what it means to be “middle class” in America. She describes herself and her spouse as “middle-bracket” people, meaning they fall into the middle tax bracket, and they live in a “middle-bracket house.” Their family is only “fair-to-middlin'” and they take the “middle view” on things.

Overall, she portrays them as an average, ordinary family. The last line suggests they are the perfect taxpayers for the “internal revenue” service, meaning the IRS, because as middle class citizens they will reliably pay their moderate taxes without much fuss.

So in summary, McGinley is playfully poking fun at and capturing what it means to be a quintessential middle-class American family through this quote.

Birthday: March 21, 1905 – Death: February 22, 1978

Phyllis McGinley: Wealth Reputation

Phyllis McGinley Money Quote saying that being wealthy is not the goal – rather the hope is for reputational gains and honor for the poet. Phyllis McGinley said:
 

 

“Mere wealth, I am above it, It is the reputation wide, The playwright’s pomp, the poet’s pride That eagerly I covet” — Phyllis McGinley

In this quote, McGinley is saying that she does not covet “mere wealth” or money itself. Rather, what she truly desires is fame and recognition for her creative work as a writer. The “playwright’s pomp” refers to the prestige and acclaim that comes with being a successful playwright.

And the “poet’s pride” suggests the honor and status bestowed upon respected poets. So in essence, McGinley is stating that what she eagerly wants most is not material riches but rather the “reputation wide” and admiration that results from being a renowned creative artist through her plays and poems. She values recognition for her writing talents over simple financial gain.

Birthday: March 21, 1905 – February 22, 1978

Phyllis McGinley: Economy Thrift

Phyllis McGinley Money Quote saying one can imagine frugality in it’s many forms through behavior toward a single asset. Phyllis McGinley said:
 

“Meanness inherits a set of silverware and keeps it in the bank. Economy uses it only on important occasions, for fear of loss. Thrift sets the table with it every night for pure pleasure, but counts the butter spreaders before they are put away” — Phyllis McGinley

In this quote, McGinley is contrasting different attitudes towards possessions and money. “Meanness” refers to being stingy or miserly, only keeping the silverware in a bank vault without using it at all. “Economy” means being frugal, only taking the silverware out on special occasions to avoid any potential loss or damage. But “Thrift” indicates prudence instead of penny-pinching.

A thrifty person sets the table with the full silverware set for everyday use, enjoying what they have, but also takes care to account for everything afterwards. So in essence, McGinley is saying true thrift is using what you have to its full potential and taking pleasure from possessions, not just hoarding or using them sparingly out of fear like meanness and economy represent.