1. Voice / Tone
1.1. Who is the speaker ?and what is the tone ?
1.1.1. The speaker is a Vietnam Veterans and the tone is emotional , upsetting , and thoughts provoking
1.1.2. Example :
1.1.3. “ I’m stone , I’m flesh “ “ I said I wouldn’t dammit: No Tears “
2. Poem
2.1. Facing it by yusef komunyakaa
2.1.1. My black face fades. Hiding inside the black granite I said I wouldn’t Dammit: No tears. I’m stone I’m flesh My clouded reflection eyes me Like a bird of prey, the profile of night Slanted against morning I turn This way - the stone lets me go I turn that way - I’m inside The Vietnam veterans memorial Again, depending on the light To make a difference I go down the 58,000 names Half expecting to find My own in letter like smoke I touch the name Andrew Johnson I see the booby trap's white flash. Names shimmer on women's blouse But when she walk away The names stay on the wall Brushstrokes flash, a red bird's Wings cutting across my state The sky. A plane in the sky. A white vet's image floats Closer to me, then his pale eyes Look through mine. I'm a window He's lost his right arm Inside the stone. In the black mirror A women's trying to erase names: No, she's brushing a boy's hair
2.1.1.1. Author
2.1.1.1.1. Yusef komunyakaa Born April 29,1947 in Bogalusa, Louisiana Family raise in a black American household oldest of five children Military: USA Army (1969-1970); correspondents, did not write about the war until 14yrs later Education : Bachelors degree from University of Colorado Springs (1975); Master degree from Colorado State University(1978) and Master of Fine Arts from University of California (1980) Accomplishment: 1994 Pulitzer Price for Poetry 2011 Wallace Stevens Award; William Faulkner Price from Universite De Rennes
3. Literacy device
3.1. Which device is used in the poem . ?
3.1.1. Metaphor : -Stone > being emotionless - Flesh > being emotional - Red bird’s wings > Fighter Jet - Window> Simile : - “like a bird of prey” - “I’m letters like smoke” Personification: - “My clouded reflections eyes me” Allusion: - Andrew Johnson : 17th president who voted for Civil Right Bills Imagery : whole piece Identity : Dual vs Single Alliteration: “Face Fades”
4. Theme
4.1. What is the theme in the poem ?
4.1.1. The Vietnam war was gruelling experience for all who fought. It is evident that life and death became huge theme with a racial aspect involved