In Carolyn M. Rodgers’ poem “c.c. rider”, the word “self” is the most important as it embodies the deeper meaning of loss of individuality. The word “self” embodies the deeper meaning (that would otherwise be overlooked), loss of individuality, of the poem and is therefore the most important word. The almost illiterate spelling of the word “tuh” as opposed to “to” was a conscious decision the author made in order to bring up the idea of individuality, the deeper meaning of the poem. We could argue that individuality/originality is a motif in this poem. The poem explains the life of the eponym “carlyle” as he strives to become a successful musician. However, along the way, Carlyle gets into drugs and dies. This bitter story is one that is sadly frequent and therefore accepted by society. It is also one that we see often in …show more content…
movies and books.
By choosing to write “to” as “tuh”, Carolyn M. Rodgers makes her poem different from the common “see see rider” songs (a 12 bar blues). The author sends us message through the purposed typos; just like makeup or false eyelashes, the misspellings make the poem look different but, in the end, the story that Carolyn M. Rodgers writes about is essentially the same. Just as with or without the make up, the person is the same person as before. Rodgers creates the same effect by not capitalizing the name of the protagonist as she introduces him for the first time; “carlyle died last night”. Capitalizing someone’s name is somewhat considered a sign of respect that became so practiced that it is now a simple rule of grammar. By not capitalizing Carlyle’s name, Rodgers is sending us the message; Carlyle story is so typical that he no longer gets to be an individual. Instead, he joins the rest of the young and struggling who died. Therefore, he no longer is his own person and does not deserve a capitalized name.
This motif of loss of individuality, originally emphasized by the spelling of “tuh”, is brought up again after we learn how Carlyle died in the last stanza: “But weBlacks know the ways of Genocide” Rodgers’ choice to capitalize “blacks” from the word “weBlacks” comes back to the idea that once Carlyle died he lost his individuality and became simply another black man who died (we assume he is black because of the context). The author’s selection of the word “genocide” also adds to the central theme of conformity as genocide implies insensitivity as genocide means mass killings. Without the deeper meaning of individuality, this poem would be just like all the other representations of stories like Carlyle’s. Using the word “self” the author shows how while there is strength in joining such large communities, such as the black community, there is also the loss of individuality. The loss of individuality comes from how repeated the tragic death’s like Carlyle’s are, proven by the selective word choice of the poet.
The initial two lines of this poem present the recollections that the primary individual storyteller will be transferring. The speaker, when she ponders the importance of her life, "… what I'm like, underneath (1)" she considers her initial two
Whitman, Walt. "Song of Myself." The Norton Anthology of American Literature.. Gen. ed. Nina Baym. 8th ed. Vol. C. New York: Norton, 2012. 24-67. Print.
In Tim Seibles' poem, The Case, he reviews the problematic situations of how white people are naturally born with an unfair privilege. Throughout the poem, he goes into detail about how colored people become uncomfortable when they realize that their skin color is different. Not only does it affect them in an everyday aspect, but also in emotional ways as well. He starts off with stating how white people are beautiful and continues on with how people enjoy their presence. Then he transitions into how people of color actually feel when they encounter a white person. After, he ends with the accusation of the white people in today's world that are still racist and hateful towards people of color.
The poem is a combination of beauty and poignancy. It is a discovery in a trajectory path of rise and fall of human values and modernity. She is a sole traveler, a traveler apart in a literary romp afresh, tracing the thinning line of time and action.
George Bilgere, an American Poet writes a touching but sad poem about his personal life. Bilgere who is the main character in the poem takes his readers on a journey about the survival of his struggles in life. Coming from a family with divorced parents, alcoholic father and mother who passed away lead him to be more open with his poetry. In the poem “ Like Riding a Bicycle” Bilgere informs his readers about the struggles he had to face throughout his childhood due to not having a mother or father figure around at a young age. Throughout the poem, Bilgere shows that even though you struggle in life, there is alway a way to find yourself as a successful individual.
“Well, sir, I guess there’s just a meanness in this world” (Springsteen line 24). Poetry has more often than not been used to describe a situation that has happened, or could happen. A branch of poetry called Modernism rebels against traditional thought, and offers a new social agenda. “Nebraska” (1982) by Bruce Springsteen, “Marks” (1978) by Linda Pastan, and “Lies” (1999) by Martha Collins are all poems that fall under the era of Modernism. An important aspect of poetry is the author’s use of poetic devices. The young persona in “Nebraska”, metaphors in “Marks”, and repetition in “Lies” are used to promote the authors’ messages and discuss topics that challenge the public’s opinion. “Nebraska” is about a man who goes on a killing spree with a woman he loves for no apparent reason. Springsteen is known for his multiple concerts in order to fundraise for hurricane victims and selling over one hundred and twenty albums worldwide “Marks” is about a mother who is constantly judged by the people she loves and wants it to end. Pastan is known for winning the Mademoiselle Poetry prize, a Pushcart prize, and has written over twelve books of poetry and essays. “Lies” is a stream of thought contemplating what a lie actually is, and what counts as a lie. Collins has won multiple prizes and grants, along with four books of poetry. Each of these poems continues to shock readers and discuss topics few people like to acknowledge.
The early 1900s seemed like a time of great prosperity, and the American Dream was in the forefront of the working class, but was it actually good to live the American Dream? Edwin Arlington Robinson‟s poem “Richard Cory” is an example that the idea of the American Dream is not always so bright. Even though narrator of the poem seems to show envy for Richard Cory until the last stanza, the poem actually contrasts what Richard Cory has and what the workers have with each wanting what the other has; thus, the cliché of “the grass is always greener” is at the heart of this
“Silence is a sounding thing, to one who listens hungrily.” Gwendolyn B. Bennett was an author, journalist, educator, and artists. She was a woman of the Harlem Renaissance. But despite all the struggles of being an African American woman, Gwendolyn B. Bennett made herself into the woman she was in the 1900s. Therefore, the strong woman she became is shown through her work.
Whitman, Walt. Song of Myself. Dover Thrift ed. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications, 2001. Print.
Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself" is a vision of the American spirit, a vision of Whitman himself. It is his cry for democracy, giving each of us a voice through his poetry. Each of us has a voice and desires, and this is Whitman's representation of our voices, the voice of America. America, the great melting pot, was founded for freedom and democracy, and this poem is his way of re-instilling these lost American ideals. In this passage from "Song of Myself" Whitman speaks through his fellow man and speaks for his fellow man when his voice is not socially acceptable to be heard.
Early on, poetry was often used with rhyme to remember things more accurately, this still rings true today, even though its use is more often to entertain. However, although it appeals to both the young, in children's books, and the old, in a more sophisticated and complex form, people are bound to have different preferences towards the different styles of poetry. Dobson’s poetry covers a variation of styles that captivate different individuals. “Her Story” is a lengthy poem with shorter stanzas. It’s free verse structure and simplistic language and face value ideas might appeal better to a younger audience.
The poem at first glance looks to be about a Tyger but after reading through
*Whitman, Walt. Song of Myself. The Heath Anthology of American Literature. 3rd ed. Ed, Paul Lauter. Boston,NewYork: Houghton Mifflin, 1998.
...gle and simple interpretation of the poem makes it a responsive target for repeated critical thinking, interpretation, and re-reading. “The Tyger” is an approachable but uncatchable piece of art.
Society shapes human beings into what they think is perfection. People in today’s society follow the world’s rituals as they continue to conform to fit in to the latest trends. Today, implants, plastic surgery, and weight loss treatments are the reason people have money set aside in their savings accounts. The pressure of others claims to be the main reason people change their hair, skin, and size, and often forget about their own special characteristics. There is a reason Walt Whitman, writes “I Celebrate Myself, and Sing Myself,” to show the importance of loving yourself and cherishing your own personal qualities as a human being. He speaks of himself, hoping to grab his readers’ attention. Throughout the poem, “I Celebrate Myself, and Sing