Introduction

Our group chose this theme as its s relatable to the roots of many young people and its interesting how some go back trying to find their own roots. Identity makes up who you are as a person, without it, you are nothing. Different people have different types of identity and ways to express themselves. Its interesting as you never know what interesting facts about yourself you may find. Or to simply put it, the idea of knowing that you are someone, and something of value to the world we live in. As such, we chose identity.

This Is A Photograph Of Me

image from: http://amyscott.com/poetry_+_emotion.htm

It was taken some time ago
At first it seems to be
a smeared
print: blurred lines and grey flecks
blended with the paper;

then, as you scan
it, you can see something in the left-hand corner
a thing that is like a branch: part of a tree
(balsam or spruce) emerging
and, to the right, halfway up
what ought to be a gentle
slope, a small frame house.

In the background there is a lake,
and beyond that, some low hills.

(The photograph was taken
the day after I drowned.

I am in the lake, in the center
of the picture, just under the surface.

It is difficult to say where
precisely, or to say
how large or how small I am:
the effect of water
on light is a distortion.

but if you look long enough
eventually
you will see me.)

Margaret Atwood

Introduction and Analysis

The title of Margaret Atwood's "This is a Photograph of Me" is quite suggestive. The title may give rise to several interpretations. The poetess may want our attention drawn to the photograph. The fact that she claims that it is her in the photograph, verges on the fact that she looks very different in reality.The general perception or outlook about her was quite different; this was her real self in the photograph. She first goes on to describe the photo in terms of time. It was not a recent photograph but taken some time ago. It appears to be "smeared" which might be because of deconstruction. There appeared to be "blurred lines" as though she was graphically analyzed. The "blurred lines and grey flecks" seem to be blended with the paper itself. They have now become linked with her personality. The poet is therefore depicted in the first stanza by means of logical analysis, and in terms of the material. Women have always been intellectually disregarded.

The poetess starts talking about herself as she encloses those lines within parentheses. Parentheses are used when a text contains material that could be omitted without destroying or altering the meaning of a sentence. Parentheses may be used in formal writing to add supplementary information. 

Therefore, when the poetess talks of herself, she implies the stance of Women in general. Her part in this description of the photograph could be conveniently omitted without marring the perfection of the whole. She functions only as a supplement to this picture of society. Nature, the branch,and man-made objects, the slope of the house, gained predominance over her. Her gender is not specified, as it is taken for granted.

Stop (Home-brewed Poem)

iimage from: http://scarycloud.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/murder-of-love/

The cold wind blows,
Against her cheeks as a tear streaks down,
For once, they thought about how life goes,
About her, reminiscing about the gown,
She wore before walls came tumbling,
Rolling with mass destruction,
"Oh such abruption" thy stated,
While staring at her in white,
She laid there, stone cold,
Dark deep thoughts turned into dices.
Random throwing and guesses
Each path unfolding with great strength
The never-ending tunnel which ended
Connections were finally made at long length
Stop.
She had been awakened, yet again,
with a new mind, a blessing approached her,
Others viewed it as a curse:
"Where am I?" "Who are you?"
Delight fell into darkness,
Darkness had never been so bright,
Yet, he brightness became isolated,
She screamed and ran,
Worried about what she became,
"Nothing was wrong", they said, "Trust me", she heard,
She questions herself,
Standing upright,
Nothing was wrong with her after all,
She stayed beautiful,
Heated up but frozen, though,
Reborn, Eyes wide open.

First Stanza Analysis:
The poem is talking about someone who is trying to find herself, after what society and modern life has done to her. This could mean that the person in the poem is suffering from amnesia, as from the moment she wakes up till the moment she stood upright, she has asked herself several questions about who she was and who others were, for example "Where am ?" and "Who are you?" This could mean that they are in a hospital, watching over her as they waited for her recovery. As such, they stood "reminiscing" about her in a "gown" in the past. An enjambment being used from line 10-15 shows her process of recovery. Her family members may be expecting her to wake up back to normal, however, this shows the girl in her own mind, struggling to find a way out as if though in a maze. For example, she had "Dark deep thoughts" probably thinking about the way she was treated in the past while not knowing where to go in the phrase "Random throwing and guesses". "Throwing" may be used as a word to describe her own emotions, throwing them away one by one, till she has nothing left while guessing the path to take. Just then, she took on a path with "great strength", thus resulting in a "never-ending tunnel which ended" and "Connections being made", possibly her memories. The word "Stop." is used on purpose to disrupt the flow of the poem. This enables the readers to feel the feelings that the girl was experiencing. For example, after finding a way out in a maze in her own thoughts. when she finally saw light, and abrupt stop in the poem is used to show a mislead in direction, or rather a false lead. As such, when she finally wakes up, she did recover, however, her memories were lost. As others viewed it as a "curse", in other people's perspective, it was viewed as a "blessing". This may mean that it was a blessing in disguise to let her possibly take a break from her possibly twisted and dark moments in life and for her to explore and find her true self. An oxymoron is also being used in the phrase "Darkness has never been so bright." This acts as a contrast. As amnesia is thought of as a bad thing, in this poem, it could mean as an escape from reality and a path for finding her own roots. There is always light in darkness and darkness in light. Just then, she panics and runs out of the hospital. Again, an oxymoron is used "heated up but frozen". This shows her readiness to discover more out herself in contrast to her being "frozen" possibly scared about exploring this dog-eat-dog world.


image from: http://susancorso.com/seedsforsanctuary/2013/0
4/a-puzzling-time/
Against the wind she ran,
A scientist seeking knowledge,
A stranded lifeboat lost at sea,
Still such admiration could be found,
Like the sweet buzzing sound,
Of the honey bees which went "buzzzzzzzz",
Stop.
Life could be so sweet in utter bitterness,
Yet bonds had never been closer,
Nostalgia fills the empty gap,
Or was it simply a deceiving trap?
Backwards she stumbled,
Pain in her head shot her as if though a thousand arrows,
Stumbled and awe-stricken she went,
Standing up straight yet again.

Second Stanza Analysis:
In the second stanza, it describes to girl curious about herself and all that's around her. Like a scientist trying to "seek knowledge", however she doesn't know where to start like a "Stranded lifeboat lost at sea". Still, she could take her time and appreciate the honey bees she spotted around her. Honey bees serve the queen. They have different jobs but still suck out nectar from flowers and are even willing to sting any intruders thus sacrificing themselves if they pose a danger to the hive. Does having such strong "bonds" mean anything? Was life just created for one sole purpose? To serve or to please?What is life itself? Is there any other meaning? An onomatopoeia "buzzzzzzz" was used to show the liveliness of the bees, trying to bring a two dimensional view to a three dimensional view in terms of the girl's perspective. Then, the word "Stop" comes in again. This time, stopping the thoughts of the girl while she painfully recalls some fragments of her memory. This was when her flow of ideas lead her to no where again as a headache strikes her thus "stumbled backwards". And "pain in her head shot her as if though a thousand arrows". This shows that memories can be painful as well. Refusing to give up, she stood "up straight yet again".

Heard chatters and bright lights shone,
Pollutants and animals everywhere,
At least, that's how she viewed them,
A lion approached its prey she thought to be,
But still it bowed its humble head,
Took a step back, and let its prey past,
"How could such art ever been made?"
Followed the lion she did,
As it entered the cemetery,
Grim and black filled, the heart of an empty shell,
Birds hovered over it, laughing they went,
"What beautiful soul, yet such empathy,"
"How could one ever judge one's present?"
"Past"
"Future"
Stop.

Third Stanza Analysis:
This stanza describes her in a possibly busy and noisy a type of city. As "heard chatters" and "bright lights shone". "Pollutants" in this case means factories. technology and cars that are not just polluting the environment but our daily lives as well. Animals means the type of people are made up of in society. Only filled with greed and power. Both lead to the girl questioning herself about her own personality and characteristics. Was she as cruel and bad as those "animals" she thought of? Or was it too late and that life had already polluted her with the fast and modern paced lives.  Just then, she saw a lion. Lion meaning a man possibly with a lot of pride and power. However, instead of pressurizing the weak or making disrespectful remarks at the weak, he simply let's them pass without saying word. This was portrayed in the poem as a Lion giving its prey a chance of escape and not hunting it down. The lion then entered cemetery, showing grieve and remorse for possibly his ancestors. The girl follows and felt empathetic and sorrowful too. Both for the man and trying to find her roots filling "the heart of an empty shell", hollow inside but still felt with deep emotions. She then asks herself how can people actually laugh like the birds hovering over, being so mean at times but other times sweet and loving. Judging people's life even.

Backwards she fell and ran, 
Society made-up of such madmen,
Puzzled and twisted came upon, 
Twisting her thoughts, yet all along, 
"What am I?" "Where am I from?"
Craziness and panic bolted her, 
She ran like a wolf, acted like one
Paused at a temple, at a Church
Even faster than ever before 
Even if it would take her to Earth's core
Nothing would stop her from discovering more
Feelings of red and black blinded her
Prayers went non-stop,
Till the moment she went psycho, 
From the randomness of a roulette, 
She let out her inner demons, 
Stop.
The priest came to see her, 
Wiping away her tears and preaching in hope, 
The monk followed by soon, 
Chanting her peace while she adored the moon, 
Unknown to herself, 
Unknown to her friends, 
To the dark alley she walked in, 
Looking for answers but to no avail, 
A brick came crashing down hard instead.

Fourth Stanza Analysis:
The fourth stanza shows the girl looking for someone of something she could trust after the past encounter with the Lion and the birds (Powerful people and nuisances of society). She was shocked at the society she was living in as stated "Society made-up of such madmen". This could suggest that the girl had a strong sense of rejection living in this type of society. To make things worse, she couldn't even remember what she was or where was she from. "Puzzled and twisted" may suggest the difficulties putting back the pieces of the puzzle together again due to her exposure in this twisted world. She then runs to find someone she could trust like a "wolf", acting like now as well. This focuses on her desperation and like a wolf, she followed her natural "instincts". The girl then tries to find her identity through religion, at a temple and in a church. An enjambment is used again, and it shows how much she was willing to sacrifice to find herself, by going to "Earth's core." The colors red and black are then used. "Red" representing hatred and rage in this case, while "Black" represents death. "She let out her inner demons" may suggest that she unveiled a darker side of her, the side whereby society hardly sees. The priest then prays for her as "prayers went non-stop" followed by a Monk which "chants" for her. Afterwards, she released that all this lead to nothing as stated "Looking for answers but to no avail." Then, a brick knocked her hard in the head. 

She woke back up back in white with tears in her eyes, 
Warmth turned back into coldness, 
People staring into her own rights, 
She wished reality was all that but a dream, 
Her mum touched her flesh, 
"I love you", "We were so worried" mum went, 
A crooked smile from mum she saw, 
Remembering her role to play, 
In the Lion's tragedy, 
The cold wind still blows.

Fifth Stanza Analysis: 
The fifth stanza shows her back in the hospital. It also shows that she had regained back her memories and reflected upon previously when she had struggled to find them. As such she wished that "reality was all that but a dream" suggesting that she hated the way the world works and how dearly she wished that living in it had been a dream instead. "In the Lion's tragedy" may signify the importance of not judging other through their social status, instead, through their identity and who they were as a person. "The cold wind still blows" suggest that things were still the way they were, despite suffering from amnesia and recovering. She still lived in a messed up world filled with beauty the world took for granted and hasn't yet seen. 

Excuse Me, What Is Your Race?

image from: http://vimeo.com/22660887

The poem is a person having a monologue regarding the issue of race and identity. The poem talks about the different aspects commonly used to identify people in Singapore. Citizens of Singapore can be segregated based on their race, religion, language, historical background, identity card, ethnic group and culture. Singaporeans are overly concerned over race and would normally want to know what race the person is from, whether they are Chinese, Indian, Malay or others. The identity card is also an important object to Singaporeans as it prove that that they have an identity and it being pink proves that they are Singaporean. Singaporeans also speak in many different language and it is common for someone to know more than 1 language. However, not everyone knows the same language or dialect and this way, people are differentiated based on which dialect they speak. Religion also plays a big role in the identification in Singapore. in Singapore you will be able to find Buddhist, Christians, Taoist and many others. although there are people in Singapore who are free thinkers. However, people are still segregated based on their religious believes and might be influenced to believe in a certain religion very easily. They historical back ground in a person's family also somehow stands out in people as well. People would talk about their origins and where their ancestors came from. whether it's from china, Britain, Dutch, Portuguese. However, the poet conveys a sense of confusion in herself as she uses a lot of question marks, showing that she is confused about her roots and wishes to be able to answer people when people question her identity. It also can be seen as the poet is very frustrated in having to answer questions that she is unclear about and is unable to give a clear and direct answer. The poet wishes to find her true identity and be able to answer confidently when people questions her.

image from: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/unreasonablefaith/2012/08/sandra-bullock-no-race-no-religion/

Metho Drinker

image from:http://mynameisnotjoanna.wordpress.com/2013/10/18/metho-drinker-drawing-analysis/

Under the death of winter's leaves he lies
who cried to Nothing and the terrible night
to be his home and bread. "O take from me
the weight and waterfall ceaseless Time
that batters down my weakness; the knives of light
whose thrust I cannot turn; the cruelty
of human eyes that dare not touch nor pity."
Under the worn leaves of the winter city
safe in the house of Nothing now he lies.

His white and burning girl, his woman of fire,
creeps to his heart and sets a candle there
to melt away the flesh that hides from bone,
to eat the nerve that tethers him in time.
He will lie warm until the bone is bare
and on a dead dark moon he wakes alone.
It was for Death he took her; death is but this;
and yet he is uneasy under her kiss
and winces from that acid of her desire.

Author Notes

Metho - a short version of the chemical 'Methylated Spirit'. It is also known as 'Poor Man's Wine

Analysis

The poem "Metho Drinker" writes on death as a result of time and the problems associated with addiction. The poem uses a lyrical form to highlight the depressive mood and atmosphere.

The poem tells a story of a homeless person and his addiction to Methylated Spirit, an addiction that will eventually destroy him.

The first stanza is about the drinker praying to "Nothing and the terrible night" asking to be relieved of three things-time, light and human cruelty. whereas the second stanza introduces the drinkers relationship with the metho ad his prayers are answered.

Wright uses a homeless person to convey that death as a result of addiction is most prominent in society. the drinker is kept nameless to further illustrate  the point showing that it could be anyone.

In the seventh line, it can be seen that Wright is trying to convey a message of a fault in society. " the cruelty of human eyes that dare not touch nor pity" The drinker is revealed to society and while people can see him, they are closing one eye to the problem. If they did not notice him, there is no problem. This can be seen as a reflection of the poet's views in society where there are many homeless addict but are often ignored, creating a false sense that there is no problem.

The poem also deal with dark themes such as death and addiction. The mood of the poem in the first line sets the mood and is using words such as "death" and "winter" both of which are very cold. similar words are also used to make the reader feel empathy to the drinker.

The poem is somewhat ironic as it talks about death and the drinker being ostracized from society.

There is a use of capital letters throughout the poem including "Nothing/Death/Time", which could emphasise all he has left in the world. Assonance is used throughout the poem to help maintain a rhythm. It is scattered to maintain a slow but moving pace. "leaves he lies/who cried to". Repetition is used to enhance the sound of the poem. "T" sound is predominantly used which in the context of the poem gives a strong sound creating vivid imagery. "Winters Leaves", "Terrible night". These devices combined help to create a vivid image of the metho drinker and his plight.

Disabled

image from: http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Rhianne17/1019761/

image from: http://www.victorstephens.com/victorstephenswebsite_048.htm

He sat in a wheeled chair, waiting for dark,
And shivered in his ghastly suit of grey,
Legless, sewn short at elbow. Through the park
Voices of boys rang saddening like a hymn,
Voices of play and pleasure after day,
Till gathering sleep had mothered them from him.

About this time Town used to swing so gay
When glow-lamps budded in the light blue trees,
And girls glanced lovelier as the air grew dim,-
In the old times, before he threw away his knees.
Now he will never feel again how slim
Girls’ waists are, or how warm their subtle hands.
All of them touch him like some queer disease.

There was an artist silly for his face,
For it was younger than his youth, last year.
Now, he is old; his back will never brace;
He’s lost his colour very far from here,
Poured it down shell-holes till the veins ran dry,
And half his lifetime lapsed in the hot race
And leap of purple spurted from his thigh.

One time he liked a blood-smear down his leg,
After the matches, carried shoulder-high.
It was after football, when he’d drunk a peg,
He thought he’d better join. – He wonders why.
Someone had said he’d look a god in kilts,
That’s why; and maybe, too, to please his Meg,
Aye, that was it, to please the giddy jilts
He asked to join. He didn’t have to beg;
Smiling they wrote his lie: aged nineteen years.

Germans he scarcely thought of; all their guilt,
And Austria’s, did not move him. And no fears
Of Fear came yet. He drought of jewelled hills
For daggers in plaid socks; of smart salutes;
And care of arms; and leave; and pay arrears;
Esprit de corps; and hints for young recruits.
And soon, he was drafted out with drums and cheers.

Some cheered him home, but not as crowds cheer Goal.
Only a solemn man who brought him fruits
Thanked him; and then enquired about his soul.

Now, he will spend a few sick years in institutes,
And do what things the rules consider wise,
And take whatever pity they may dole.
Tonight he noticed how the women’s eyes
Passed from him to the strong men that were whole.
How cold and late it is! Why don’t they come
And put him into bed? Why don’t they come?

Wilfred Owen

Introduction and Analysis

Owen’s ‘Disabled’ explores the effects of war on those who live through it by comparing the present life of an injured soldier to his past hopes and accomplishments. Disabled is a potent and strong poem because of the style and structure that Wilfred Owen has used. Harsh words are used subtly to emphasize meaning behind the poem. The man is wearing a ‘ghastly suit of grey’, showing his depressed state of mind; sleep ‘mothers’ him from the laughter and noises of young boys which suggests that he no longer finds the pleasures of life worth living for and prefers the temporary relief sleep provides.

The structure of the poem shows frequent switches between present and past and the juxtaposition of remembrance and realization casts a harsh light on all that the soldier has lost. Each stanza starts with describing the soldier’s present conditions and then compares it to his past life, or vice versa. The final stanza however depicts what he thinks his future holds for him which is a life lived by rules set by other people, a life of utter dependency and helplessness.

The poem not only shows the meaningless of war, and the wastage of life caused by it, but also highlights the after effects it has on those who live through it and survive it, returning home unable to get over the horrors they had seen and experienced. It is sad to the point of being depressing. One sympathizes with the man’s helplessness despite being repelled by his selfishness.

I'm nobody! Who are you?

image from: http://dishanrajapaksha.wordpress.com/2011/09/04/im-nobody-who-are-you/

I'm nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there's a pair of us -- don't tell!
They'd banish -- you know!

How dreary to be somebody!
How public like a frog
To tell one's name the livelong day
To an admiring bog! 

Emily Dickinson

The poem explores the issue of being a nobody, which is a luxury. It is incomprehensible to famous people. The phrase "How public like a frog" is used to describe famous people who croak their names out. When something "Croaks", it is obvious to people that its a frog that croaks, and not a lion or a bear. This shows a certain sense of popularity in which people are familiar with. Same for the rich and popular, whereby society is familiar with them. The phrase "How dreary to be somebody" explains how public image is important to be "somebody" and that its tiring maintain a standard face shown in public. If not, they get judged by society. The poem emphasizes that sometimes, being a Nobody is better than being "Someone".