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Comparison two american poems
American poetry history
American poetry history
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Reading both of these poems bring about a sharp awareness of cultural diversity as experienced by the majority of the American people in the late 20th and early 21st century. As I read Richard Blanco’s poem “One Today” I feel a sense of pride. The sun rising over the shores, the Smoky Mountains, the Rockies, and the Great Plains I feel he is speaking about every American person waking up under the same sun. It seems to follow the American people as we rise with the Sun and go throughout the day taking care of everyday life. Blanco talks about real life events that have happened. He speaks of the daily life of kids riding to school on buses, people heading to work, whether it’s the teachers, restaurant workers, grocery clerks or
In a story of identity and empowerment, Juan Felipe Herrera’s poem “Borderbus” revolves around two Honduran women grappling with their fate regarding a detention center in the United States after crawling up the spine of Mexico from Honduras. While one grapples with their survival, fixated on the notion that their identities are the ultimate determinant for their future, the other remains fixated on maintaining their humanity by insisting instead of coming from nothingness they are everything. Herrera’s poem consists entirely of the dialogue between the two women, utilizing diction and imagery to emphasize one’s sense of isolation and empowerment in the face of adversity and what it takes to survive in America.
In the novel Breaking Through, by Francisco Jimenez, Francisco tells the story of how he illegally immigrated from Mexico to the United States. At the age of four, he, his parents, and his older brother, Roberto, crossed underneath the barbed-wire fence on the United States-Mexico border. However, after ten years they were reported by one of their own people and were forced to go back to Mexico. The three literary elements addressed in this captivating book are symbol, conflict, and characterization.
The poem is written from an experience point of view and can therefore be said to have some elements of autobiographical account. A major theme that can be deducted from these particular poems includes that of cultural identity expression within America. Cultural awareness is considered one of the most critical aspects by immigrants living in America. In the collection of the poems of by the author, it entails presentation of the challenge that immigrants and non-Americans usually go through with regard to attaining their true cultural identity. Blanco indicates that he is a Cuba American and just like any other Latino living in the larger American society, he has to find a way to find is true cultural
He often compares himself with family members who had move to other cities like Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles. Because “they came back for holidays with stories of high wages and acquisition” (394) he feels that he is not as successful as them. Often he has to remind himself how he used to live in Mexico where “so many things weren’t available” (394) and where people will do anything just to have the basics. He also has to convince himself that “life in El Paso was much like the land-hard, but one could make do with what was offered”
Starr draws on description throughout the whole article to bring into the light Carlos’s life, both the positive and the negative to ultimately express how living is ultimately a blessing. Starr’s description pattern begins with mostly detailed heavy experiences or detailed statements that were appalling. Starr makes it clear that Carlos’s life was difficult through the line, “ His hometown San Pedro de Sula has the highest homicide rate in the Americas. Once, gang members on motorcycles arrived at a park where he had been playing soccer and opened fire(Starr).” The writer includes informational details about Honduras and the sets us up to envision an experience to shed a personal connection to Carlos. As the article continues the writer transitions to uplifting and rejuvenating detailed sections. The transitions through Starr’s writing manifest Carlos appreciation for life after his past. Carlos’s positivity in life is seen through lines from the text such as, “While some players love to play defense, Carlos likes to attack. When he scores a goal, he grinds his hips and turns in a circle as his teammates laugh (Starr).” Starr makes use of the details to show how Carlos is still a teenager despite his tragedies and he brings light to those around him because he simply is motivated to see the value of
Poems are forms of communication that give an applicable view of the past, present and future events. Reading the poem titled “America”, written by Richard Blanco brought me memories from my childhood in my parent’s house and also what is happening now in my house as a parent. The poem explains how one person doesn’t have all the knowledge about something. It also, describes the daily life struggles I experienced during my childhood, when my parent 's and I moved from our hometown to live in another town becuase of their work and it brings to light the conflict of cultures I and my children are going through since we moved to United State of America .
Poems are expression of the human soul, and even though, is not everyone’s cup of tea when the individual finds that special poem it moves their soul one with the poet. There are many poets in the world, but the one that grab my attention the most was no other than Langston Hughes. It would be impossible for me to cover all the poems he wrote, but the one that grab my attention the most is called “Let America Be America Again.” It first appeared in “1938 pamphlet by Hughes entitled A New Song. Which was published by a socialist organization named the International Worker Order” (MLM) and later change back to its original name. I have never felt such an energy coming out of a poem like this one which is the reason that I instantly felt in love with it.
Rodriguez tells a story of his childhood, which appeals to those families in today’s world that struggle
When the narrator was growing up till his adulthood, his grandfather was been a big part of his life. The story begins with “Buenos Dias le de Dios, abuelo.” This how he learned to greet his grandfather. Next he goes into where his ancestors lived and how. His ancestors lived next to the Rio Grande. He also mentions that everyone worked together and they lived authentic lives. The author then goes into one of his other stories called “Bless Me.” This is about the spirit of Ultima who shows him the value of the land and nature. Next, the author describes his grandfather. He describes him as a 5’5’’ man with a beard and a walrus-mustache. He goes into detail of how independent and hard working his grandfather was through his life experiences with him. The experience that stands out tells the opposite story. The last experience the author goes into is when his grandfather was in the hospital. The author first points out the differences about his grandfather. The smell of the land was replaced with the smell of medications and vicks, his patience was gone and little things bothered him. Lastly he could not take care of himself. The narrator saw his grandfather change from a person who was a strong and independent to someone who relied on others. At the end of the story the author goes into detail about the change in the world. When the narrator grew up he learned to
Soto is a standout amongst the most critical voices in Chicano writing. He has notably depicted the life, work, and delights of the Mexican American rural worker. Moreover, he has done this with awesome lovely ability. He has an eye for the telling picture in his verse and composition, and he can make startling and fundamentally viable analogies. Soto’s poetry focuses on everyday experiences while evoking the harsh forces that often shape life for Chicanos, including racism, poverty and crime. His style is concrete and established in the dialect of the fields and the barrio.
He loses not one but two good friends as he treks through the unforgiving environment. It takes a toll on him, but with everything else going on, he has to move forward. This is not just a story of the journey of an immigrant child, but it is also a story that can help those going through problems of their own, not specifically speaking about what Miguel is going through, but more as in a metaphorical way. Miguel goes through many complicated obstacles, overcomes them, and rises above. This is motivation, in a way for those who need it. Educator’s Guide: La Linea, very much understands the emotional journey of Miguel, while also stating that it “allows the story to remain accessible both to students who have had similar experiences as well as those who haven’t.” Even if certain readers never experienced the things Miguel has, they understand the mental issues that come along with those difficulties. They relate to Miguel, and that’s what’s so important about this novel, the protagonist and major events help readers understand even if they are from a way more different culture than
When asking someone what they believe the American Spirit is, varying responses may be present. Everyone has their own opinion on what it means to be an American. Some may see it as being a free individual who is willing and able to do whatever and be whomever they choose. Others may see it as someone who is very hypocritical or lackadaisical. In Richard Blanco’s inaugural poem titled “One Today”, the American Spirit is shown as being diverse, united, and a home to many hardworking men and women.
On the surface, the message of the poem is one of contempt and wishful thinking; the speaker claims that “Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table” and that no one will “dare say to me, ‘eat in the kitchen,’” however these declarations can be interpreted as just irate, spiteful reactions to discrimination that the speaker has experienced, and are unlikely to become true. On the other hand, the first and final lines of the poem create a deeper, more profound statement of racial discrimination in the United States. When the speaker states “I, too, sing America,” he is trying to make the rest of America, particularly the white supremacists, realize that African Americans are part of the United Sates as well, that. The word choice of “sing” has a patriotic connotation, which is supported by the image of black Americans singing in praise of America. In addition, in the final line, the speaker states that “I, too, am America,” directly stating that African Americans are a part of America as much as any other race, further emphasizing that the black and white races, despite their differences, are aggregate within the United States of
So, the poor, colored and those of different nationalities are denied chances to succeed in keeping the traditional values. Both poems address the widespread societal issue of racism that is so prevalent in America. Hughes and Alexie seem to agree that judgment of others is the disgrace of our nation. If the color of a man's skin did not have such a great value in our society, maybe then America could be everyone's. Not just the rich white men but the immigrants, the Africans, the Indians and the poor.
Through diction, Marquez is able to insinuate and build a background for the narrator and a surrounding for the rest of the families involved. Through the use of older, more Latin American based words (fiesta, Rambla de los Parjos) he is able to create a looser more vulnerable feel to the story. Similarly, using syntax, his comfortable and easily read sentences add a more home-based feel to the entire story.