Poem Analysis Sherman Alexies On the Amtrak From Boston...

An Analysis of Sherman Alexies On the Amtrak Sherman Alexies On the Amtrak from Boston to New York City is a free verse poem that gives voice to Native American resentment and contempt. It is composed in a series of quatrains, with the last line of the poem standing alone, symbolizing the poet himself who feels alienated a stranger in his own land, now overrun by an enemy. This paper will examine the poems use of meter, imagery and symbolism, and give an interpretation of Alexies thoughts and feelings in On the Amtrak. Alexie does not hold hard and fast to any metrical pattern. Doing so would be to conform to a poetical tradition of the enemy. Instead, Alexies composition is mainly syllabic. Some lines, such as into what she has been taught. I have learned, may be classified as iambic pentameter (the end of the line consisting of spondees rather than iambs); but the very next line that follows shows that Alexie has no attachment to such form: little more about American history during my few days is neither iambic nor pentameter ; it has roughly nine and a half feet with several different foot types. Alexie also refuses to capitalize the first word of each new line, thus further abandoning the poetical structure of the so-called enemy. In other words, Alexies verse is free and independent of classical traditions. Like his people, upon whom he meditates in the poem, Alexies words are unruled by any of the conventions of the white people whom Alexie

Cry, the Beloved Country and Injustice, Fear and Family

Cry, the Beloved Country and Injustice, Fear, and Family Nothing is ever perfect. All systems have their flaws. Sometimes more flaws than any good. That was the way it was in South Africa during the apartheid, people had to break away from the family and their tradition just to get food and a little money. The corrupt government spread ideas of inequality and injustice, forcing people to live in fear of their lives. In his protest novel, Cry, the Beloved Country, Alan Paton uses the interaction of characters to illustrate the negative effects of apartheid on both the natives in South Africa and the white oppressors. He uses the subject fear to demonstrate the everlasting ideas of the worlds corrupt system of justice and what†¦show more content†¦Paton also describes the effect on family and focuses mostly on father and son relationships. Kumalos search begins as he searches every nook and cranny in Johannesburg for Absalom: Who knows why the warm flesh of a child is such comfort, when ones own child is lost and cannot be recovered? Â…But this, the purpose of our lives, the end of all our struggle is beyond human wisdomÂ…But he stood up. That was Msimangu talking at the door. It was time to continue our search (62). He spends so much time looking for Absalom, going from place to place, each one only leading to the slightest clue of where he is, exhausting him. Each of the stops though, provides Kumalo with more information on the person his son has become. This is what exhausts him most of all. He finds out his son goes from a fine worker to a criminal, then to a reformatory student, and then a murderer. When they are finally reunited, they are virtually strangers: I have searched every place for you. To that also is no answer. The old man loosens his hands and his sons hands slip from them lifelessly. There is a barrier here, a wall, that cuts off one from the other (98). The trial, and all the rest of the time they spend toge ther before Absaloms sentence doesnt help in bringing them closer, until after he is found guilty. Then asShow MoreRelatedThe Meaning of the Title, Cry, the Beloved Country Essay1007 Words   |  5 PagesThe 1940 set in time book, Cry, the Beloved Country’s title by Alan Paton have intrigued yet perplexed readers over the years. The title itself has several meanings especially to the different readers and their understanding of it. The title not only expresses the importance but also plays a role in capturing the concept of the book. 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Do You Think Religion Has A Place free essay sample

In some ways religion doesnt have a place in 21st century Britain. I think this because it is very Outdated in 21st Century activities, for example cohabitation and sex outside marriage this in most religions is seen as unacceptable and is frowned upon where as in 21 SST century Britain in society it is very common. Most modern couples are choosing to live together without getting married as weddings nowadays are extremely expensive events to have, which may then put them in large financial troubles.These 21 SST century problems like not be able to afford a marriage means that this would then most probably push the couple to have sex outside of marriage s to some people just because they arent planning on getting married but still see themselves in a stable relationship and in love enough to feel confident enough to have sex with each other, they should be able to without having religion looking down on them. We will write a custom essay sample on Do You Think Religion Has A Place or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Although also think that religion does have a place in 21 SST century Britain because without religion I think everyone would be too similar in the way we as a society work and think.At the moment everyones views and opinions range on the way that they have been brought up and personal beliefs, this I find is a main part of what makes he 21st century how individual everyone is. Religion plays a large part in this because if nobody believes in a religion whether it is Muslim, Christianity or Judaism or any of the many other religions in the world, then eventually as time goes by everyone in the 21st century Britain would become so alike they wouldnt really have anything to make them unique.Another reason find, that in my opinion, suggests religion does not have a place in 21 SST century society is due to how they treat homosexual couples because society in Britain as a whole has reached the consensus that it is acceptable to the point f making homosexual marriage legal. Also most of the general public do now accept public display of homosexual feelings. Also society in Britain no longer finds homosexuality punishable with death. Whereas most religions do, including the bible clearly stating If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable.They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. Which th en shows religion has a very negative view on homosexuality which is not what 21 SST century society in Britain is. This then backs up my point that religions place in 21st century Britain is fading. On the other hand another point that shows that religion does have a place is that it can guide people through tough times and stop them making bad decisions, for example prisoners, whilst in jail some prisoners find religion and get enlightened which then helps them get themselves sorted so they can get out of prison and not go back in, helps them re-invent themselves.This shows that religion does still have a rightful place in 21st century Britain because without religion this would possibly lead o many more refunding criminals causing a lot more problems in society. A third and final reason I think that proves religion doesnt have a place in 21 SST century Britain is that religion sees men to be superior to women which in 21st century Britain, teach the young women to be obedient to their own husbands and let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also gaits the law.And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church re two bible quotes that back up my point that religions see men as superior. This then shows that religion doesnt have a place due to the fact that in 21 SST century Britain men and women are equal they can go for the same position jobs, get paid the same and have all the same rights in all aspects of society. A final reason that supports that religion has a place is that without religion morals that are taught, like do not steal and treat others how you want to be treated as even now in modern society these still apply. The morals taught in religion especially the bible and Christianity are what 21 SST century British laws are based on, without these the 21st century would be very different in the makeup of society and laws in Britain. If religion has effect modern life this much throughout past centuries what reason is there then to in the 21st century say it doesnt have a place. In my opinion there isnt any. In conclusion I think that although there are valid points against religion having a place in 21 SST century Britain think that religion does.As I reasonably think that society would be too different and not for the best. Without religion the laws in Britain would be a lot different meaning that society may be run different, meaning there may be more problems, more crime and a lot more problems. Again without religion to guide people and enlighten them, there would probably be a lot more person struggles in peoples life. For these reasons and the ones mentioned in the paragraphs above conclude that religion, whether its Muslim, Judaism, Christianity or any other. They all have a place in 21st century Britain.