Comparison of Nothing's Changed with Two Scavengers in a Truck

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Recommended: Racial Discrimination in Literature

Comparison of Nothing's Changed with Two Scavengers in a Truck Both poets convey strong ideas about the inherent divisions that are inherent in modern-day society. Afrika conveys his ideas by writing about racial discrimination and segregation in South Africa, informing the reader about the differences in the quality of life for Blacks and Whites. Ferlinghetti, however, decides to tackle the theme of social/wealth divide in San Francisco, U.S.A. Afrika also describes the landscape, nature and setting in much more vivid detail, using it to represent the history of District Six. Ferlinghetti, who focuses on the people who are the protagonists of his poem. Although set in two very different locations; one in a third world country and another in a developed country, both poets deal with the issue of inequality and prejudice. Afrika and Ferlinghetti both feel very strongly about inequality in society and how people can be discriminated against due to their skin colour or social class. The reader is able to tell that Afrika feels strongly about his particular culture and traditions because he tells part of the poem in first person (singular and plural): 'I back from the glass' and 'We know where we belong'. In this way he vividly conveys the emotions that Black people suffer as a result of discrimination, as he becomes a part of them. Afrika demonstrates the suppressed anger and resentment that clearly bubbles beneath the surface when he says: 'the hot white inwards turning of my eyes'. Through his use of harsh images such as 'brash with glass', 'it squats' and the symbolism of da... ... middle of paper ... ...ent; Afrika focuses on the consequences of racial division and discrimination, showing how such treatment can breed hatred, resentment and violent retaliation. Ferlinghetti chooses to explore the theme of the division that wealth can bring. He raises the question of how society can allow such divisions to arise and how America (and the Western World) has become so commercialised that these so-called' beautiful people' are in fact fake and have lost grip with reality. Ferlinghetti leaves it open to interpretation as to whether the garbage men are envious of the 'beautiful people's' wealth and material possessions or whether they are more content with their honest, frugal lifestyle. However, both poets convey the fact that in our modern day 'democratic' society, divisions are evident, be it racial, monetary or otherwise.

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