Sharon olds in the passage “on the subway” is trying to write the similarities and differences between the way people are with a Caucasian and an African American. Sharon attempts this by using literary techniques like imagery, simile, and tone. Imagery is used to see the differences between a white women and a black boy, the the first part of the passage. The narrator is the white woman and the black boy is the observer; the the shoes that he is wearing are black with “white laces on them”. The speaker describes them as “ scars”. The scars shows the discrimination against the black boy by the white society. Sharon also uses animals as imagery to describe the two characters. She digs down and shows the primitive nature and similarities
The implied violence Olds uses shows the different characterization between black and white and how individuals conclude thoughts and feelings about race. Sharon Olds pessimistic tone establishes how she feels sitting across from a colored man who has "the casual cold
Thanks to this disparity between black and white people as well as the use of the African American Vernacular English, Hurston cherishes the black culture. Importantly, Benesch claims that: “if it were not for the abundant use of Black English, which in itself ties the text to a specific cultural background, Their Eyes Were Watching God night easily [...] refer to ubiquitous problems of human existence” (Benesch, 1988: 628). The problem of the relations between the black and the white in the novel is also discussed by Jürgen C. Wolter (2001). He argues that the progression visible in Janie`s character symbolizes the change in thinking about skin color.
In this story, “Their Eyes Were Watching God” there is many examples of motif. One example I have came across was the communities that Jaine lived in. None of them fit her and she didn't fit in them. Even in her hometown when she was little. “Us lived dere havin’ fun till de chillun at school got to teasin’ me ‘bout livin’ in de white folks’ back-yard.
In our society we are taught to differentiate ourselves from others. Whether it be economical or the color of our skin, we are sectioned off into specific categories. In her poem “On the Subway”, Sharon Olds uses different literary devices such as imagery, allusions, and symbolism to contrast two different characters. Old implements imagery as the main literary device to contrast her two characters, more specifically black and white, darkness and light.
Steinbeck is a master of displaying implicit and explicit discrimination. He uses symbolism and imagery to depict the characters of his reference. The lexis conveyed the main motif of discrimination, by the representation of a microcosm of civil perspectives – a mentally challenged man, a lonely married woman seeking attention from male ranch workers, a very old yet prudent man and a Negro slave. Steinbeck tackles the stereotypical view on these civil perspectives and how they are discriminated against based on their race, gender and intellect. Additionally, his descriptions of the characters delve into their appearance, personality and dreams for the reader’s sympathy and concern.
In modern day, some teenagers may be put into a conflict in which they cannot let their voice be heard. In the novel Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, her protagonist Melinda Sordino faces the same problem. In her character’s voice, she speaks as a shy, intimidated teen, which eventually branches out to woman of confidence and strength. With the use of diction and tone, Anderson is able to construct a developing voice for Melinda.
James and his mother are routinely denied access to resources and opportunities due to their race, a reality that shapes their experiences and prospects. When they finally make it to the dentist office, they find themselves in the middle of a conversation between a young man and a preacher. The conversation between the two serves as a powerful illustration of the impact of racism on James' growth and development. The young man and the preacher represent two very different approaches to the issue of racism. The young man is filled with anger and resentment against the injustices of the world and the white people who perpetuate them.
This chapter focuses on the depiction of prejudice, oppression and brutality in the novel under study. By analyzing the content of Black Boy we come to know about the different types of hardships and discrimination as experienced by the Richard Wright. 3.1 POVERTY AND HUNGER The text throws light on the neediness and the starvation as experienced by the black characters that are monetarily disempowered by the afflictions of racial segregation. The black population is deprived the right for equivalent work prospects.
Prose Analysis Essay In Ann Petry’s The Street, the urban setting is portrayed as harsh and unforgiving to most. Lutie Johnson, however, finds the setting agreeable and rises to challenges posed by the city in order to achieve her goals. Petry portrays this relationship through personification, extended metaphor, and imagery.
In “On the Subway” by Sharon Olds, the speaker is on a train and finds herself across a man, she describes has “the casual cold look of a mugger.” It is not clear as to why she sees him as a mugger, but he is larger than her. As the poem unfolds, we get a better look at her thinking process and the differences between the speaker and the man. “He is wearing red, like the inside of the body exposed” is a simile the poet used to express how simple and open the man looked; by comparing him to an open body. On the other hand, she is in a fur coat.
Olds is partaking in a sort of self-realization that maybe although he was black and she was white, the only difference may be just that. However, this isn’t something she realizes as first. At first, she examines his features and scrutinizes an outlet of his
Beneath the literal brutal violence the narrator is forced into is an overwhelmingly obvious display of severe racism. It is a figurative violence between the rich and powerful whites and the struggling oppressed blacks. The violence is
The most powerful pharaohs of Egypt will be forever immortalized within history. However, in the case of Ozymandias (Ramses II) his statue, as a representation of him, is left in the dust of the sands, decrepit in the place that was once his kingdom of Thebes (GCSE). In Percy Shelley’s poem, “Ozymandias,” a Petrarchan sonnet, Shelley thoroughly disvalues Ramses within the realms of three speakers: The narrator, the traveler, and Ozymandias himself. Percy uses mostly both visual imagery and irony to narrate the lost accomplishments of a King, therefore conveying the mortality of personal glory.
Morrison presents African Americans as conforming to the principles of society and utilizes Helene’s behavior towards Nel to exemplify it. Helene constantly reminds Nel to “pull her nose” so she could “grow up” with a “[nicer] nose” (55) and uses a “hot comb” (55) each week to have “smooth hair” (55). The act of altering Nel’s appearance displays Helene’s belief of Nel’s physicality to not be up to par with society’s standards, therefore discriminating against her African American heritage. The characteristics that Helene chooses to change make Nel unique to her African American heritage; therefore, by altering Nel’s image to that more of the white race, Morrison exemplifies the way discrimination influences African Americans to assimilate into the racist American society. Illustrated by the self-degradation of African Americans, Morrison displays the submissiveness and stupidity of racism.
“The Race” by Sharon Olds utilization of literary elements conveys meaning in the poem. Throughout the poem, Olds’ continuous use of tone and personification help s describe the main character’s struggle and change of emotion throughout her journey. These literary elements employ understandable emotions and situation that in the end convey the meaning of the poem. The consistent change and use of tone help to unshroud and display the meaning of the poem.