Saturday, March 24, 2018

Further Thoughts on "'Poetry Makes Nothing Happen'?"


While analyzing the poem "'Poetry Makes Nothing Happen'?" by Julia Alvarez (pictured above), I was amazed to see just how much more of the poem I was able to understand and analyze. I noticed in particular that the author adds her personal opinion in the last couple lines of each stanza. This offers a resolution and purpose to the poetry, reiterating the theme which Alvarez is trying to portray: that poetry indeed does make a difference.

Several different claims can be made about this poem including:

  • Policy: One should look at the poem's allusions, especially in the title, in order to have a full understanding of the theme.
  • Definition: The author's opinion is shown in a couple lines at the end of each stanza. 
  • Comparison: The way in which Alvarez uses punctuation functions like the flow of thought.
  • Evaluation: The characterization within the poem very accurately emphasizes the ties between poetry and humanity.
  • Casual: The use of various authors named in the poem causes the author to gain credibility.

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