Chinese Silence No. 22

By Timothy Yu

Date: 2016
Setting:
I think for this poem there is not a specific setting, from my point of view is just talking about Chinese culture in America and other parts of the world.
Characters:
This poem has as protagonists Chinese people and the stereotypes around them. Also, in this poem, it is possible to appreciate Italians, French, Americans, Canadians, Australians, and Scots.
How did it make me feel? Can I make any connection to my life?

This poem made me think about the different stereotypes society has for Chinese culture and other cultures around the world. Chinese Silence No.22 from my perspective presents the typical stereotype where Chinese are calm, even some Chinese typical instruments are shown; for example, the opium pipe and finger puzzle. Also, it made a reference to one of the most significant representations regarding architecture for this culture: Great Wall of China. However, in the poem, it is referring to language. The poem presents also different stereotypes we as society has to other cultures, for example, Italians and pasta, Americans and sports, Canadians and their particular and polite behavior. I liked this poem because I consider it represents Chinese culture really well.

Comments

"Mexican" Is Not a Noun

"Mexican" Is Not a Noun By Francisco X. Alarcón I liked this poem, from my perception it presents to the reader how it is to be Mexican, their reality. In the poem, the writer says that being Mexican is not a noun nor an adjective, it is a verb. Verbs are actions, the author is saying to the reader that being a Mexican is about actions; however, for them, their actions are seen with a negative perspective because of people opinion, normally a negative one. Francisco X. Alarcón presents a part of the reality of Mexicans in terms of jobs. He says that a Mexican life is a long low-paying job. This gives the reader the idea that they cannot get good jobs, jobs that can give them more opportunities, more incomes. They cannot have this opportunity probably because of discrimination, lack of opportunities. Also, in many parts of the poem, he uses negative words. He gives a negative connotation of being Mexican; for example, it is possible to see this when he...

He Comes For The Jewish Family, 1942

HE COMES FOR THE JEWISH FAMILY, 1942 By Sharon Olds During World War II, Jewish were chased by Germans, taken to concentration camps. Adults, children, men, and women, they were all taken no matter what. Jewish knew that when Nazis arrived their final destination was going to be a camp or death. In this poem the family knew what to expect, they knew the German hated them, that he was going to take them to the camps, and their daughter was going to be taken with them, they had no consideration for children. What they did not know was how easy was for a German to destroy a beautiful instrument like the cello. It is well known that musical instruments as the guitar or in this case, the cello are somehow the representation of a woman's body. "What they did not know was the way he would pick her cello up by the scroll neck and take its dark lovely body shape and break it against the fireplace. The brickwork ...

Reflection Journal

Search This Blog