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Help on the poem Bully


monee2 2 / 2  
Mar 27, 2008   #1
I have to write a paper on the poem Bully by Martin Espada I know understand what the poem is about. I am just not for sure if my analysis of the theme, tone, and form are correct can you help me?!?!
EF_Team2 1 / 1,708  
Mar 28, 2008   #2
Greetings!

Sure, if you'd like to post your analysis, I'd be happy to have a look at it for you and give you some feedback!

Thanks,

Sarah, EssayForum.com
OP monee2 2 / 2  
Mar 29, 2008   #3
Okay well actually can you also look at my paper for grammatical errors or any other improvements here it is....

In the poem, "Bully" (1990), Martín Espada uses irony in a way to describe two major events in America history that counteract each other. Espada begins the poem off with a serious tone: "In the school auditorium / the Theodore Roosevelt statue / nostalgic" (1-3). The purpose for Espada using a serious tone is the theme of the poem is about history; the impact it has made on America today and the changes and outcomes that have come about through time. But yet the theme can also be about war or change, because what Espada writes about in the poem.

The reason for saying that the theme can be numerous things is that Espada talks about Roosevelt's involvement in the Spanish-American War and the things happening in Boston during the 20th century. During the Spanish-American War Roosevelt was a major supporter and contributor about going to war with the Spanish; granted it was seen as unnecessary by President McKinley and others. (Spanish-American War) While yet at the same time Espada also talks of the desegregation movements and immigration occurring in Boston and America.

Once the reader has read through the poem once and has seen what it is about and done research on the topics, they can see the use of irony by Espada. For the poem contrast the beliefs Roosevelt had of ethnocentrism and reasons for invading the Caribbean with that of the desegregation movements in Boston. This can be seen when Espada writes:

But now the Roosevelt school
is pronounced Hernández.
Puerto Rico has invaded Roosevelt
with its army of Spanish-singing children
in the hallways. (9-13)
From this quote it shows the irony in the poem and also gives evidence as to why the poem is titled, "Bully". The word bully is defined as someone who is normally cruel or overbearing and intimidates smaller or weaker people. Which in the case of Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War he chose to attack a much weaker Spanish naval ship compared to the strong forces of the US Navy. (Spanish-American War) But now nearly a century later the people Roosevelt was against are now taking over a school that was named in honor of him.

One of the sets of lines that has great significance of irony to the outcomes of both of the events that Espada chooses to discuss in his poem is:

Roosevelt is surrounded
by all the faces
he never showed in eugenic spite
and cursed as mongrels, skin of one race,
hair and cheekbones of another. (18-22)
Reasons for it representing great significance is it gives the image of how Roosevelt was when things started to turn against the US in the war. Also it shows, how if Roosevelt was still alive during this time, what his reaction would be to this major change happening in the US, especially at a place that holds his name.

Not only does Espada do a great job of using irony in his poem, he also does a good job of using words that allow the reader to develop detailed images and visualizations throughout the poem. An example of these images is when he writes:

The Theodore Roosevelt statue
is nostalgic
for the Spanish-American War,
each fist lonely for a saber
or the reins of anguish-eyed horses,
or a podium to clatter with speeches
glorying in the malaria of conquest. (2-8)
These sets of lines gives the reader an image of how Roosevelt would be if he was actually there at his school seeing all these students of color taking over. It also gives the reader an image of how Roosevelt acted when he was on the front lines in the Spanish-American War, encouraging his fellow soldiers.

One of the things that Espada writes that has a meaningful image to what is going on in this time and what Roosevelt was against is: "Puerto Rico has invaded Roosevelt / with its army of Spanish-singing children" (11-12), and "now children plot to spray graffiti / in parrot-brilliant colors" (25-26). The image given is that the minorities are doing to Roosevelt what he did to them in the 19th century by taking over US territory and by establishing their own culture there with murals and name.

This poem has great significance to a major issue in America not only in the day of Roosevelt, nor the 20th century, but also events occurring today with immigration. After a reader has read through the poem once without any research on the Spanish-American War, or the 20th century desegregation movement, they may not have a good analysis or interpretation of the poem. But once the reader does some research and learns of the different events that occurred during these two time periods; they can start to recognize things that relate to each of these events that Espada is trying to express. Also after doing some research the reader can develop an understanding as to why Espada chose to write such a poem that many may consider controversial.

The poem may be consider controversial in that people may say that Espada is offending Roosevelt's name by saying he was ethnocentric and against diversity, granted it is true. Also some people today and back then, are afraid of change and having major diversity in their society. Espada may have wrote this poem to show culture criticism against America, by saying whether they like it or not America is becoming a more diverse country and his people have the right to be here. Granted some states and people in America try to deny the fact that America is becoming more diverse, like Boston and other northeastern states in the 20th century.
EF_Team2 1 / 1,708  
Mar 30, 2008   #4
Greetings!

I think you've done a good job with your analysis. I particularly liked this: "the minorities are doing to Roosevelt what he did to them in the 19th century by taking over US territory and by establishing their own culture" and also your comments about the title, "Bully."

Here are some suggestions for grammatical and punctuation changes:

In the poem, "Bully" (1990), Martín Espada uses irony in a way to describe two major events in America's history that counteract each other.

But yet the theme can also be about war or change, because what Espada writes about in the poem. - This is a bit awkward. Better would be "Espinada also touches on themes of war and how societies change over time."

The reason for saying that the theme can be numerous things is that Espada talks about Roosevelt's involvement in the Spanish-American War and the things happening in Boston during the 20th century. - Your writing will sound more mature if you avoid explaining in advance that you are explaining your reasons; in other words, leave out "The reason for saying that ... is..." and just give the reason.

During the Spanish-American War, Roosevelt was a major supporter of going to war with the Spanish, although it was seen as unnecessary by President McKinley and others (Spanish-American War). At the same time Espada also talks of the desegregation movements and immigration occurring in Boston and America.

The poem contrasts the beliefs Roosevelt had of ethnocentrism and reasons for invading the Caribbean with that of the desegregation movements in Boston.

[delete: Reasons for it representing great significance is] It gives the image of how Roosevelt was when things started to turn against the US in the war

But once the reader does some research and learns of the different events that occurred during these two time periods, they can start to recognize things that relate to each of these events that Espada is trying to express.

The poem may be considered controversial in that people may say that Espada is offending Roosevelt's name by saying he was ethnocentric and against diversity, granted it is true.

Espada may have written this poem to show cultural criticism against America, by saying that, whether they like it or not, America is becoming a more diverse country and his people have the right to be here.

Keep up the good work!

Thanks,

Sarah, EssayForum.com
OP monee2 2 / 2  
Mar 31, 2008   #5
thank you for your help I greatly appreciate it.


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