Nothing Of A Man - pipTalk Forums

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

Critical Analysis #1

Nothing Of A Man

LenMcC1
Member

since 1999-11-09

Posts 68

0 posted 2000-03-16 04:36 PM

Nothing Of A Man

I am freezing uncontrollably
As my sister sings a lullaby
To a turtle necked priest
With locks of gold
Floating on down
The lake of charms
Waiting for a saint
To carry his soul
Through Satan’s lair
On his way down to the core

I’ve got a feeling
That my sister is still singing
While a Harper Lee character
Is floating in the sun
And a Southern Gentleman
Is wasting away
And nothing is more appealing
Than a closet full
Of drag junkies
Thinking of a way
To invade the mind of an undetermined
Society of Aristocrats and Newspaper men

I think I agree
With a choice to be free
Even though my incestuous sister still sings
A lullaby of Thomas Jones poem

Brad
Member Ascendant

since 1999-08-20

Posts 5705
Jejudo, South Korea

1 posted 2000-03-17 04:48 AM

This is an interesting piece. The first stanza is obviously working on Dante although the pronouns were a bit confusing.  Apparently, the speaker of the poem is already in Hell and is watching the journey of the priest or the 'lullabys' of his sister. Definitely creates a forboding tone.

The second stanza adds a layer concerning racism and I think you're trying to portray the scene in Hell. The Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird) allusion is interesting but, though it's been a long time, I'm pretty sure there aren't any 'drag junkies' in the book. Is this another allusion to something I'm unaware of or placed there solely for the effect?  Either way, I liked the way it extends the scene further.

The third stanza alludes to a Thomas Jones poem (the slave?) which reinforces this racist theme going on here.  I'm still unclear as to whether the speaker is in Hell for his racism or incest or both? And his sister is crying against racism -- perhaps as attempt to purify herself for her past deeds or as an attempt to hide them.  I think the key is the Harper Lee reference but it has been a long time since I read that novel.

The choice to be free is an interesting conclusion here.  The speaker is unrepentant?
You've got a lot of stuff going on here and I enjoyed reading it  but wouldn't mind hearing  your intentions with this one.
Thanks,
Brad

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.