Poetry Analysis Drop Box essay 2

POEM OUTLINE

TITLE: The Vietnam War

THESIS: Most Americans are familiar with the Vietnam War. This war had various effects on the United States; among them was the soldiers' death and hurting the American economy.

INTRODUCTION: The poem looks at just the effects of the war on a young black soldier struggling to cope with life after the Vietnam war.

1ST BODY PARAGRAPH: the soldiers who survived this war had a callous time

Support: the emotional and mental turmoil of the survivors

Topic sentence: “I’m stone. I’m flesh”. This illustrates a mix of feelings (Komunyakaa, & said I wouldn't, 1996). The first part shows a strong person, and the second one, a vulnerable person who can easily e carried by feelings of sadness.

2ND BODY PARAGRAPH: experiences of how the war looked like and what the soldiers faced

Support: booby traps killed the soldiers

Topic sentence; “I touch the name Andrew Johnson; I see the booby traps white flash.” This is an illustration of his blurred memory, remembering how death occurred like a flash.

3RD BODY PARAGRAPH: self-reflection regarding his wearisome experiences during this period. 

Support: The poet is trying to express his growing sense of guilt, shame and survivor sickness, illustrating survivor trauma

Topic sentence: The speaker searches his name on the rock “like smoke”. 

References

Komunyakaa, Y., & said I wouldn't, I. (1996). Facing it. Streetfare Journal. Retrieved from: Analysis of Poem "Facing It" by Yusef Komunyakaa -