Analysis Of We Are Not Responsible By Harryette Mullen

Harryette Mullen is one of the poets who enjoys the glory that comes with good writing. Her initial works are considered to be masterpieces especially because they emerged during the era of black arts movement. As she progressed, her pieces started having a deeper meaning, making the masses draw to her. One of her famous and most influential works is found in Sleeping With The Dictionary. This is a book that comprises short poems that have been carefully thought out and are full of surprises. Some of the poems take on humor while some leave the reader in deep thought. Of importance are the poems that have been written from a political angle. These are Bilingual Instructions, Elliptical and We Are Not Responsible. The three poems showcase how

politics can be addressed through art.
Politics is often a sensitive subject in almost every nation. There are limits as to even what artists can say even though they are given freedom of expression. However, this does not mean that vices do not happen just because people choose to remain silent. As the artist that she is, Mullen decided to make her fifth publication a bit more meaningful than her previous work. In this edition, she breaks most rules in poetry. She is not too concerned about rhyme but seeks to pass a serious message. Her language is playful. However, her message is also very deep. The poems in this edition address matters concerning race, language barriers and politics. In the three poems mentioned above, Mullen makes her readers aware of how politics can be used to undermine a society as they continue to remain silent. The same is discussed below.
Bilingual Instructions is a poem that exposes some of the double standards that are experienced in California. The poet uses a number of literal devices such as satire, irony and sarcasm to reveal the true nature of this society. The people are fast to say no to the bilingual education yet they are okay with some of the bilingual instructions that seem to protect and benefit only a minority of the population. The democracy that is practiced also seems to blind the majority rule as only a few will feel the positive impact. It is almost as if the poet is claiming that little can be done for change to be felt. However, it is also clear that the people are now aware of the discrimination and want change (Thomas, 697). The poem uses a lot of repetition and two languages to emphasize the message and be in line with the title respectively.
The second poem, which is pros in form, is called Elliptical. The poem has a constant format, with the use of they and we in almost every line. It is clear that the poet is referring to a group of people. The construction of the sentences shows negativity, meaning that there is dissatisfaction. The language employed is also very interesting. The actions seem to be continuous, meaning the nature of dissatisfaction is continuous. The better part of the poem leaves the reader to fill the blanks for themselves. The poet is somehow arguing out with herself, trying to understand why the situation is like so. However, at the very end, the blame is shifted back to the group of people. Their behavior seems to be the hallmark of the dissatisfaction and the rest of the people can only wish they could realize it and change. The use of incomplete sentences, which are followed by an ellipsis, further emphasized the extent of dissatisfaction.
Finally, the last poem is known as We Are Not Responsible. At face value, this poem explains the nature of most of the products that people own. At one point or another, something can hurt someone but that does not mean that it will be taken away. A closer analysis reveals that the poet could be addressing some of the faults that are in the government (Thomas, 697). In as much as people have freedom, this freedom comes with limits. If the line is crossed, the government can come in and take the freedom away from these people. Therefore, the citizens have no option but to remain calm. Hence, the people understand that silence is the key to protecting themselves. This works in favor of the government as there will be few protests even if a person is hurt.
These poems by Harryette Mullen are written in a professional yet unique way. By understanding them, one gets a deeper meaning of what the poet is talking about. With each poem in Sleeping With The Dictionary, the format changes. However, it seems as though they all add up to a common message on matters concerning politics. Take, for instance, the Bilingual Instructions first explains the mediocrity that is in the system and that people are finally finding their voice and trying to speak out. This is followed by Elliptical which is some sought of a reflection. The poet shows that people are beginning to question the group of people that is oppressing them. In this case, that would be the government. In the last poem mentioned above, the vices that exist in the government are exposed. The only problem lies in the ways to solve them. The twist is that people will choose to remain silent as a means of protecting themselves.
Mullen uses a playful mode to spread a message that is serious. In as much as there is excitement in her work, there is also an element that leaves the reader deep in thought. In an interview between the poet and Barbara Henning, Mullen reveals that the format she uses in her poems in Sleeping With The Dictionary are meat to bring more meaning to her work (Frost, and Harryette 397) For instance, the use of repetition is an act of empathy. She also claims that some of the formats of her poems, like Elliptical, are breaking the rules of poetry. However, she is careful enough to be systematic even in breaking the rules. This way, there is meaning to her words. If it was not systematic, then her words would bring confusion.
The choice of poetry Mullen uses clearly shows that she does not want to be confined.

However, she also makes it clear that she is in control. By breaking away from the norm, she is able to keep the reader interested in her work. The use of short sentences is almost hypnotic. What catches the readers’ interest by far is her consistency in the theme of politics especially in these three poems. She uses playful language to make it interesting for anyone to go through. However, she also makes her message assertive. Give her background, life was not always easy. Art becomes her way of expressing her emotion and making people aware of the things that go on. These are things that people allow. Things that can be changed if people worked together. The poet is careful not to lean on any side of politics. Her major role in the poems is passing information. Undoubtedly, she does her part

remarkably.
The poet also tries to engage the creativity of the reader. By filling the blanks, the reader can relate the words of the poem to any situation they so wish, which makes it more relatable to them. What this means is that the experiences of an individual play an important role to poetry. However, there is another side to it. The reader is made to think outside the box. They should not be confined to their experiences only and should try to think on a broader spectrum. Elliptical, specifically, is a poem that seeks to create a dialogue, meaning that there has to be great understanding before people can engage in a dialogue revolving the same poem (Frost, and Harryette 397).
The lyrical tone of her voice is another aspect that shows that life experiences should not be taken at face value.

Just like the way the three poems have been written differently but covey the same message, so is life ad its complexities. There are times when matters politics will abide by the book rules. However, most of the time, what we do not know is far much worse than what is revealed. It is necessary for people to always e-alert. To try and decode every message they receive. Politics often hide behind the myth of democracy. People are aware of this but choose to let their hearts cry in silence. The poem, we are not responsible, is an eye-opening message that shows the mediocrity people choose to believe. Mullen tries to show the public that that should not be the case. The humor in the poem is what makes the reader realize his or her

mistakes.
The last poem also stimulates a dialogue. However, the message here is more profound and not much of creative thinking is needed by the reader. The author ends the poem with some sought of a disclaimer, saying that the narrators are not responsible for whatever happens to the people who do not remain calm. The words used in this poem are authoritative yet playful. The poet wants the society to rearrange itself and stop leaving I fear. She says, "If you cannot understand English, you will be moved out of the way. . . . It’s not our fault you were born wearing a gang color. It is not our obligation to inform you of your rights. Step aside, please while our officer inspects your bad attitude. You have no rights that we are bound to respect. Please remain calm, or we can’t be held responsible for what happens to you. " (Mullen). Again, just like in Bilingual Instructions, the poem shows how much people fall victims of political matters but are forced to remain silent lest harm comes their way.
The three poems are an illustration of the power of language. Words are often informative. They can give an explanation, drive the point home or stir up a conversation. Bilingual Instructions is an example of an explanatory message. We are not responsible, on the other hand, is one that not only informs and make people alert, it also acts as an avenue to stir up a conversation. Give the history of the poet and her race, the poems seem to venture into unchartered territory. Hence, the title of the book, sleeping with the dictionary, prepares the reader to expect the unexpected (Thomas, 688). The entire language, though playful, requires thought for one to understand the message. The and only the will the poems make sense.