Topic > Comparing "Poem on My Rights" by June Jordan and "The Day Lady Died" by Frank O'hara

“Poetry on My Rights” is a passionate, emotional and personal poem. Violence and oppression towards individual African Americans and Southern African countries are the main themes of “Poem on My Rights.” The poem vulgarly refers to the sexual violence experienced by women and the way in which they are victimized, harassed and abused by physically and 'socially' stronger men. Jordan talks about rape and how the perpetrator gives the law excuses that make rape seem acceptable and reasonable. This results in a lack of justice and the victim being left alone, feeling insecure, with explosive anger and frustration, making them feel even more unwanted and like an outcast. This reveals the poverty of the justice system; corrupt police work and fraudulent government systems – a completely different theme in the poem. Jordan's worldview serves as a mandate for change. A squalid and violent social condition becomes a vehicle for change for both the individual and society. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay “Rights and wrongs” and “rights and wrongs” are topics of the poem although the words “rights” or “rights”” are never mentioned except in the title. Ultimately, it serves as a testament to the belief that the individual can make a difference even if doing so requires ongoing struggle. The title of the poem is ironic, as the narrator recounts the “mistakes” that exist in the person she is, as well as the external conditions that influence her. The edicts of society violate and impede every right that belongs to it. She is a product of her people's heritage and, as such, must live according to contemporary cultural assumptions. This form of struggle and protest poetry truly captures and speaks on behalf of the voice of oppressed and silent women in South Africa. The burden of proof is also left on the victim for justice to be done. Personal and consensual rape is then transferred to the wider area of ​​southern Africa: South Africa's forced penetration of Namibia and Namibia's subsequent penetration of Angola are detailed. The “wrong” elements and characteristics of June Jordan are constantly repeated in the poem. This is to underline the poet's anger at the lack of acceptance she feels not only from society but from her family. The burden of proof is also left on the victim for justice to be done. Personal and consensual rape is then transferred to the wider area of ​​southern Africa: South Africa's forced penetration of Namibia and Namibia's subsequent penetration of Angola are detailed. The poem was written in free verse and does not rhyme or have a regular meter. Always using the first person, Jordan describes in detail the mistakes she perceives in herself: wrong color, wrong sex, and living on the wrong continent. Reading the poem we witness harsh and critical comments and observations, for example "I am the story of the rejection of who I am." Another example of where Jordan feels judged and unaccepted is when he says "it was my mother begging for plastic surgery on her nose and braces on her teeth" - a mother should be a woman who supports and loves her children for who they are , and does not try to change them into what they are not. We can see that Jordan has a personal experiences with this, through the harsh and cruel way he refers to it in his poem. I was inspired and shaken by how powerful it was and moving, and how Jordan managed to convey asuch a vivid and powerful message through reading his poetry. He searches for the most heartbreaking or superlative way to express his feelings and get his point across. The image of rape in "Poem on My Rights" reflects this practice. The poem's shocking and violent images are used to draw comparisons between individual, national, and global situations. The forcible gang rape of a dissenting woman in France is considered by law to be consent since male penetration did not include ejaculation, and therefore not there is evidence. It is established that the individual is in the wrong because of who and where they were at the time of the accident. For Jordan, this is analogous to the penetration of African nations by more powerful countries. As I read the poem, I found that Jordan speaks clearly and uses pauses, creating a consistent rhythm. Her tone is not particularly aggressive or angry at first, but she raises her voice to emphasize that she is upset and that the issues she is talking about are personal. However, as the poem progresses, his voice becomes stronger and more dominant, emphasizing particular words and phrases. This is especially effective because listeners now have an idea of ​​how the poet feels about their poem, adding a more personal and emotional touch. This poem is incredibly motivating and inspiring in terms of taking a stand against gender inequality and violence. However the poem has an optimistic and unexpected ending when Jordan says that he will now defend himself, leaving the listeners/readers with a hopeful and encouraging ending. We can learn from Jordan, by using very visual and graphic words, it allows us to sympathize and even empathize with the way she has been treated and feels, making the audience connect with the poem on an even more personal level and emotional. Her use of diction greatly emphasizes the harsh circumstances faced by the woman, as well as Jordan's anger towards the little political action and support against such abuse and neglect. When we write poetry, we can start from the small things we experience to reveal the social context. We need to prove the facts with evidence so that he is more convinced. The Day Lady Died by Frank O'Hara“The Day Lady Died ” describes Frank O'Hara's activities on the day he discovered that Billie (Lady Day) Holiday was dead. Although the poem appears to be a simple narrative, the title emphasizes the day itself rather than Holiday's death or O'Hara's activities, and thus hints at something larger, something that perhaps combines both Holiday and O'Hara. He suggests that poetry should also be read as something other than the narrative it might seem at first glance. “The Day Lady Died” is a visionary poem, in which the ordinary world is taken away to reveal something much greater. The poem becomes a poem about how disparate things, people, and events are all interconnected, even when they seemingly have no connection. He connects with her, not only focusing on the day itself and remembering her song, but also depicting a moment of epiphany. In this moment, the ordinary concept of time is pushed aside to reveal an eternal present, and ordinary, concrete reality is pulled away to reveal something extraordinary, something far greater than the ordinary senses reveal. The title of the poem sets a serious tone: A lady is dead. But the poem begins with the speaker O'Hara recording the details of the day. Then move on to describing your activities. The poem defines its literally breathless moment by cataloging the mundane activities of the day. other times, O'Hara seems to use lists and names for their own sake, but in this poem there is a clear utility of these techniques,.