Assignment on Poetry from other Cultures and Traditions Essay Example

noteworthy. It conveys the immense suffering she endured, emphasizing her young age of seventeen. The use of the word 'raw' vividly captures the intensity of her physical labor. Overall, this verse primarily focuses on delineating the demanding physical work she was expected to undertake.

The next verse highlights the stark contrasts between the lives of the wealthy and the impoverished. It brings up a critical question about the fairness of the social system, a topic that was widely dismissed during the 1800s. It was commonly understood that the poor remained poor while the rich remained affluent. The girl in the poem juxtaposes her humble 'attic cot' with the luxurious 'silken pillow' deserved by her wealthy master. Additionally, she endures the degrading task of emptying the chamber pot, a duty that undermines anyone's sense of dignity, especially at the tender age of seventeen. The verse also alludes to the hymn 'All Things Bright and Beautiful'.

'The rich man earns his castle, you said.

In the poem, Charlotte expresses her belief in equality, arguing that social hierarchy is God's will. She also believes that she does not deserve the unfortunate circumstances of a poor girl. The verse reflects her strong desire for independence and the simple freedom to eat and sleep whenever she desires.

In concluding the past and looking towards the future, she expresses her desires. The following lines express her hopes and expectations for the future, emphasizing its stark contrast with the past. It begins with defiant declarations such as ignoring formalities like addressing someone as 'sir' or 'thank you ma'am' and refusing to curtsy anymore. Clearly, these obligations of treating others as inferior have been highly unpleasant for

her.

The final verse of Charlotte O'Neil's Song displays her remarkable resolve to bring about change. It implies her choice to depart and forge her own path.

In the text, there is a sarcastic phrase that the speaker uses, 'my dear', likely to convey a sense of superiority. The speaker, Charlotte, is leaving her master to handle all his duties alone and considers this act as a form of revenge. The final lines are: 'And I'll eat when I please and I'll sleep where I please and you can open your own front door.' This phrase is repeated twice throughout the song and clearly expresses Charlotte's excitement and liberation from being dictated or restricted. Charlotte sings the entire last verse with both anger and pure happiness. Now that she is aboard a ship heading to New Zealand, she believes that all her suffering is finally over.

The city of Jejuri in India has long been associated with poverty. In particular, elderly individuals who are unemployed find it difficult to survive on their pensions. It is heart-wrenching to witness starving children and realize that these elderly individuals will spend their final days begging for survival. Arun Kolatkar's poem, 'An Old Women,' captures the essence of this immense suffering.

Arun Kolatkar immerses the reader into the experience of being a tourist in Jejuri. This allows for a more authentic and personal understanding of the situation. He introduces an elderly beggar woman in the second stanza, who simply desires some spare change. In return, she proposes guiding the tourist to the horseshoe shrine. However, in the following stanza, her persistence becomes overwhelming. Typically, one would react with irritation and anger

towards such behavior.

They adhere to you similar to a burr, causing typical emotions of irritation and frustration. This analogy to an adhesive plant is entirely accurate. The traveler is attempting to extricate themselves from this uncomfortable predicament, evident in their conclusive demeanor.

"You want to end the farce." This line marks the turning point of the poem where the tourist, who has previously treated the poor woman with disdain, is confronted by her. It is likely that he would have been impolite in his attempt to dismiss her, but she manages to make him understand his mistake.

'What can an old woman do
on hills as wretched as these?'
The tourist is clearly a Western European originating from a developed nation, where destitution never reaches such dire circumstances that a woman's eyes resemble 'bullet holes' and her skin 'cracks' ... Through the use of these metaphors, Arun Kolatkar vividly portrays the immense suffering of this woman. Against the backdrop of her agony, the fifty paise coin appears completely insignificant to the tourist. The final stanza leaves the most profound impression on the reader throughout the entire poem.

'The personification of each of us feels incredibly close and vivid, and lingers in our minds. It reminds us of the Old Woman whenever we encounter someone begging on the street, reducing us to insignificance in her grasp.'

Every person has a significant period of their life known as childhood, during which even the smallest events create lasting memories. Returning to one's childhood home after many years evokes these unforgettable moments. With the passage of time and a more mature perspective, things start to become more comprehensible. 'Nothing's Changed' by Tatamkhulu

Afrika is an autobiographical poem that encompasses not only racism but also the profound emotions one attaches to their childhood locale.

The text begins by providing a description of the well-known District Six.

'Small round hard stones click under my heels, seeding grasses thrust'

Long time ago he had lived there as a 'coloured', because he was Muslim. As the government in South Africa changed, this area turned into strictly 'whites only'.

'...

The use of phrases like "incipient Port Jackson trees", "new, up-market, haute cuisine", and "guard at the gatepost" highlight the significant transformation that has taken place in the estate. It is now exclusively for white individuals, as indicated by the reference to a "whites only inn."

'No sign declares it explicitly, but we are aware of our rightful place.'

The significance of these words lies in the revelation of his hardship. Even though there is no visible indication stating that the inn exclusively caters to white individuals, he is aware that he would not be welcome there. Due to his classification as 'coloured', he is compelled to dine at the more affordable cafe instead.

Down the road, there is a working man's cafe that sells bunny chows. These bunny chows bring back memories from the past, reminding him of when he was a boy and had the strong desire to break the glass of a racially segregated inn marked as 'whites only.'

'Hands burn
for a stone, a bomb,
to shiver down the glass.'

However, upon his return to his hometown, he discovers that there is already a new government in power that has pledged to address the existing division among the people. Nevertheless, he comes to the realization that

'Nothing's Changed'. It will require numerous years before the hostility between the various races is resolved, and this fact is difficult to accept.

These poems address significant concerns surrounding equality, poverty, and racism. Their captivating and engaging writing style keeps the reader fully absorbed throughout. Each of the three poems portrays distinct scenarios, set in various locations and with diverse contexts. Nevertheless, what unites them so closely is the profound emotion that serves as their inspiration - a shared experience of suffering.