Slam+Poetry

On your page discuss the use of poetic devises. Discuss the overall meaning of the poem (theme). Discuss why you choose this poem. Identify key words and phrases. Of course, use specific examples from the poem!

I chose this poem because it is a satirical poem, ironically using the very phrases it criticizes, which I found interesting. This poem is about how today, people are more uncertain with their speech, and use phrases such as "you know" and "like" and use a questioning matter. "I have nothing personally invested in my own opinions, okay?" goes along with how people are uncertain with their statements, and add a questioning tone. The poem includes many poetic devices. "I entreat you, I implore you, I exhort you, I challenge you" is a good example of repetition within this poem. "Have they been, like, chopped down with the rest of the rain forest?" is an allusion referring to rain forests being cut down all over the world. What further reinforces his message is when he says, "It is not enough these days to simply QUESTION AUTHORITY. You have to speak with it, too.".

Great analysis. 30/36

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCNIBV87wV4

In case you hadn’t noticed, it has somehow become uncool to sound like you know what you’re talking about? Or believe strongly in what you’re saying? Invisible question marks and parenthetical (you know?)’s have been attaching themselves to the ends of our sentences? Even when those sentences aren’t, like, questions? You know?

Declarative sentences—so-­‐called because they used to, like, DECLARE things to be true, okay, as opposed to other things are, like, totally, you know, not— have been infected by a totally hip and tragically cool interrogative tone? You know? Like, don’t think I’m uncool just because I’ve noticed this; this is just like the word on the street, you know? It’s like what I’ve heard? I have nothing personally invested in my own opinions, okay? I’m just inviting you to join me in my uncertainty?

What has happened to our conviction? Where are the limbs out on which we once walked? Have they been, like, chopped down with the rest of the rain forest? Or do we have, like, nothing to say? Has society become so, like, totally. . . I mean absolutely. . . You know? That we’ve just gotten to the point where it’s just, like. . . whatever!

And so actually our disarticulation. . . ness is just a clever sort of. . . thing to disguise the fact that we’ve become the most aggressively inarticulate generation to come along since. . . you know, a long, long time ago!

I entreat you, I implore you, I exhort you, I challenge you: To speak with conviction.

To say what you believe in a manner that bespeaks the determination with which you believe it. Because contrary to the wisdom of the bumper sticker, it is not enough these days to simply QUESTION AUTHORITY. You have to speak with it, too.