How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
Why should I let the toad work
Squat on my life? (1-2)
The poem's first two lines certainly don't paint a picture of a man who is satisfied with his life. There is clearly something about his work that is preventing him doing or feeling what he wants to. It is squatting on his life. Shmoop doesn't get a happy, satisfied feeling from this description. Do you? Maybe if it were a kitten perched instead of a toad squatting we'd feel differently but, as it is, this feels pretty bleak.
Quote #2
Six days of the week it soils
With its sickening poison— (5-6)
Dissatisfied much? Not sure? Here's a good test: if you're using words and phrases like "soils" and "sickening poison" to describe how you feel about six out of seven days of the week, you need to make a change. Chances are something isn't quite right.
Quote #3
Ah, were I courageous enough
To shout Stuff your pension!
But I know, all too well, that's the stuff
That dreams are made on: (21-24)
There's a super-strong sense of if only in this stanza. The speaker is basically saying, "If only I had the guts to stand up to societal expectations and tell my boss to go jump in a lake, everything would be better." The phrase if only is a pretty good indicator of regret, and regret's good buddy dissatisfaction. They seem to go everywhere together. If you make the mistake of inviting one to a party, you know the other will show up with a stale bag of Fritos and a sad story and put a damper on the whole affair.