Discuss "To A Terrorist" by Saturday, Feb. 4th midnight
This week let's discuss "To a Terrorist" on page
140 of the text. Talk about the speaker of the poem, as the questions after it
suggest. But also discuss meaning for you. What is being said? Why
do you think so?
The title reveals that the poem acts as a letter addressed to a terrorist. Terrorist meaning a person that pursues harm onto humanity. Focusing on the diction connotation, the first stanza presents the reader with a pessimistic view of history and how it, with out a doubt, will repeat hostility because of ignorant bigotry. This tone carries till the end as does the bitterness.
The speaker establishes an over all brusque tone, as an example "I hate your good reasons. I hate the hatefulness that makes you fall". Repeating "I hate the hatefulness" draws emphases on the imagery viewing hate as a noun, perhaps an entity which has wicked motives.
This poem is overcrowded with a choleric temper and has informal gestures, for example, "I'm just speaking out loud to cancel my silence. Consider it an old impulse, doomed to become mere words." This sets the reader to feel impatience and unforgiving though out reading the poem.
Is the speaker mocking when saying, "Perhaps you're hating me now, I who own my own house and live in a country so muscular..." Possibly insinuating that the "terrorist" is jealous of his freedoms and fortunes? And this is the reason for committing hate crimes?
I agree also about the tone and how the speaker is angry towards any terrorist and their hateful way and beliefs. But you have to understand that the "terrorist" is not jealous of his freedoms and fortunes. Well depending on what religion we are taking about, such muslim, hindu, jewish, christian, etc... doesn't really matter, they simply dislike the way "the world" is evolving and hate changes or need to make a example out of someone. Normally, for instance, muslims hate western theology and the way we live. Their acts are simply base on their beliefs and want us to change, like how we are trying to do the same for them.
The poem specifically acknowledges "terrorist" that do harmful things with their harmful beliefs. It can be anyone in any culture. Muslims are not the only culture people hate us, Chinese, Koreans, so on and so on.
Back to the Poem, I enjoyed reading it, but for my poems are not so much my thing, but this definitely caught my eye. We i read, it kind of gave me a flash back of the experiences i had overseas. We i was over there, i was consider as a "terrorist" in their eyes and they hated what we did and what we done. Great poem though.
I agree with what you are saying about the speaker being negative towards history - I feel though as the speaker likes the negativity found in history and how that is empowering.
I personally find myself torn between loving and hating this poem.I feel there is a hidden passion in the poem that goes past patriotism, I think its a passion for the value of human life. I feel as if the speaker is trying to convey many things ; number one he is giving a last attempt that may not even be an attempt, to end terrorism. The hope of terrorism ending has fled him.Tough the speaker appears to be full of hate for the person who partakes in terrorism, something tells me, he feels compassion for the life of a terrorist. The speaker in a way acknowledges that their inst much of a choice once you are born into terrorism.
The line " I hate your hatefulness that makes you fall in love with death,your own included" I especially like this line because it states not a passion nor a desire or anger that terrorist feel for death but the "love" love is so strong and for the speaker to say "fall in love with death " means that their is a bond between the terrorist and the death that they yearn for.
Lines nineteen and twenty when the speaker writes " Christ turned is singular cheek " I like the use of "singular" here- stating that Christ was an individual not a representation of something all man kind should do and then " one mans holiness another absurdity" just pushes the reader to feel the support that this "turning of the cheek " was something one man did for himself, and his personal views, not to be followed by all of humanity.
The speaker is portraying the conflict of a normal person with terrorism : when we are caught between our hate for the hate they carry, and our compassion for their situation and the root of their hate.
Yes I can see the speaker, even through frustrations, takes pity on the terrorist that harbors hate to the degree of wishing death onto others. "I offer this poem without hope, knowing there's nothing, not even revenge, which alleviates a life like yours. I offer it as one might offer his father's ashes to the wind a gesture when there's nothing else to do." I can envision the boggled speaker contend with a palm to his face, and he understanding this poem may never have an effect on extremist and excepts it.
Reading through this poem incites emotion without a doubt, filled with passion and a vernacular that has much emotional as well as physical feelings involved. And the speaker absolutely conveys its feelings in a strong way, but I would not go as far to say the speaker is bitter, pessimistic, or choleric. Instead I see the speaker from the first 3 stanzas presents this poem as an “offer without hope” but still “as one might offer his father’ ashes to the wind”. Yes, the speaker does not believe that a change in the terrorist will ensue with this poem, but like one who spreads ashes for a loved one who does that out of duty and respect when all has been done and it is the last step in the acknowledging the deep sadness (and/or joy) of the death, the poem to a terrorist is “a gesture when there’s nothing else to”. The speaker as well does not even say that he/she hates the terrorist, but instead the speaker hate the “reasons” they have for being a terrorist and the “hatefulness” that is in them; hating the choices and actions that drive the terrorist, but not the person. This is a very powerful concept. To jump back to how the speaker says they have “goods reasons” is also something to be noted. The speaker does not per say agree with the reason, does he/she agree that they are even good reasons, but does acknowledge that somehow, in the twisted view that a terrorist would have, they are ‘good enough’ for the terrorist to act in the manner they do, loving death. As Yasmin points to the 7th stanza (Christ turning his singular cheek), this stanza as well is what stood out the most for me. Each reading of this poem, I can’t help but re-reading its last line, “the rest of us obey the sting”. The physical evocation this word, of something that stings, everyone feels its sharpness and pointed pain. We all have felt a stinging pain in one way or another, and in turn, we react, we “obey” the sting. We obey the “surge” and, when slapped across the face, feeling we have been wronged and injustice has happened, we want to retaliate, repay, and force payment, somehow, for the wrong that has been done and the pain that has been caused. The reader is this stanza, identifies with the terrorist, they were separate until this point, and now they are the same; “like you, the rest of us obey the sting”. The terrorist has his reasons (pain, hurt, inequity with America, etc.) for responding the way he does, and the individual slapped across the face reacts/obeys for their own reasons (pain, hurt, injustice, etc.). Christ was the only one, the only ‘individual’ (singular, as Yasmin said) that did not cave to the “old impulse” (second too last stanza).
You made some key points here. I like that that you broke down each stanza in your views. These are key things i will take with me when I write my essays =D
the speaker is a angry person who is having a hard time trying to understand the reason why a terrorist killed maybe someone he loved. The subject of the poem is directed to the terrorist to let him know the wrong thing that he have made. There are some religions are around the world with differents ideologies but after all there are against those acts. Also the speaker give or show a sense of forgiveness or he is traying to do it. The speaker mentioned on the poem that he did not have desires of revenge, spite of he hate what he have done. I consider that the speaker only wants to be heard and try to make to the terrorist feel guilty. On the poem is mention Christ, he think that Christ is a holiness and we all follow and obey what he say and that is dumb, because if some one hit you i would be very har to contain your self and let to the other hip you again.
I really do not know if I am right, but that is what i understood.
"To a Terrorist" states the that the poem is addressed to a terrorist acting as a letter consisting of thoughts and reasons towards history from an angered or passionate person. The poem catches my attention because I don't feel like it is just an act of the hate that one feels towards a terrorist but towards others who care guilty of similar acts.
"I offer this poem without hope," I believe it to mean that the poet wants to have the audience understand that there are feelings on the subject, and yet the other believes that nothing will happen and if it does then it of the slightest chance. I think the poet is the same person writing as if it is geared towards one person but is meant for any person who reads it. It take away with the poem that everyone is a terrorist. "I speak out loud to cancel my silence." Meaning that opinions are not heard out loud and should be expressed.I think this poem has patriotism, how one can stand back and fight through words for what they believe in and not sit back and allow violence to continue.
This poem was written before a major terrorist attack on the United States. I think if I had read this poem prior to the attack I would not have had such a strong connection. Now reading this I have a stronger opinion to how something as simple as one poem can have a large impact on what a terrorist is and how to respond to them. I was not affected by 9/11 by losing someone I knew but just the fact that I am a U.S. citizen and I feel anger and hate against those who have hate in them to force such violent acts on our country.
I think the speaker's tone is calm and straight forward when presented but has an application of force and rage embedded to carry out a stronger affect. Also a sense of understanding to why something is happening.
To assume an interpertation of Stephen's Dunn perspective of "To a Terrrorist" would bring little justification to his words. However, one can only convey and shoot for the starts with a weak assumption that will never serve the text. This is validation alone for not saying "I THINK this is what the speaker is saying," but more effectively by stating "I FEEL this way to what he is saying".
Stephen Dunn mentions an emotion with effects of a physical "sting", however I feel the dissapointment of knowing some are filled with one too many obligations, distractions,and pride to feel even a slight pinch. I strongly feel my own struggle, but how much can one remind himself that others struggle as well? I feel that the speaker's words inflects this emotion within me, however like Dunn says, some stanzas could be "mere words".
I am cheering Stephen Dunn! I feel something, and I can never pinpoint that emotion, and that's the most thrilling aspect of engaging with this poem. Well done sir, because I feel him doing something so courageous, it truly deserves some recognition within my reply. The speaker can be vulenerable, and humble without exxageration, for he is identifying, not with the terrorist in general, for that would be too naive of a judgement, but he is relating to me, and whoever the hell is willing to take his hand.
I feel such glorification in taking such an insecure hand. His poem is not the only "offering" the speaker gives right away, there is also that gorgeous freedom of experiencing a feeling; truly embracing that emotional "sting", and take it as you may. I conclude my thoughts with a repitition of my strong stance. I couldn't analyze this poem because hell, I can't even analyze myself one bit. However, I can experience this poem over and over again, each time never the same, in hope of someday reading it once more, and taking his offering, with something of my own to give back.
"To the Terrorist", is a poem envoking a strong sense of vulenarbility within me. We can all be strangers, we can all be as foreign and misconstrued as a terrorist. You don't need to say much to show the cruelty of seperation as individuals, and the beauty of coming together with humble acknowledgement as a whole.
I love how a poem can make someone feel an emotion and to not be able to pinpoint it (in my view) makes it that much more special. It allows you to think and dig deeper than the words that were written, mainly read between the lines. I think you understood Dunn's point he was trying to make clear. You say, "there is also that gorgeous freedom of experiencing a feeling; truly embracing that emotional "sting", and take it as you may." I think that alone describes not only this poem but many poem and the affect they can have on an individual. Personally, this is not a poem that would be classified as one of my favorites but you made it much more enjoyable to think of for me. Thanks!
I enjoyed this poem "To a Terrorist". There was something about the way the speaker just seems to have a conversation with a terrorist. The speaker's tone is solemn but there is a harsh side to it. He seems to feel resentment the terrorist, having a dislike for what he does. Yet, he still is trying to understand why the terrorist does what he does. As he says, "I hate your good reasons." (line 11). The speaker seems to believe that, although he is resentful, the terrorist lived in a life in which he believed this was what was right for himself and his own country. That's why I think the speaker writes this poem, to try and understand why the terrorist would believe it was for the right reasons. The speaker has the belief though that after whatever act was made by the terrorist would then in the end change his view upon his "good reasons". "Perhaps you're hating me now, I who own my own house and live in a country so muscular'" (line 15). Those once seemingly good reasons are going to be overlooked as the terrorist is now jealous of what he didn't have.
As much as I don't appreciate terrorists or anyone who tries to do harm against anothers country, I feel sorry for those people as I believe so does the speaker. As in line 12 shows, "I hate the hatefulness that makes you fall in love with death, your own included." They've been taught through their own stories of history that other countries have done their own country harm. They do not act out upon a random act but they act to stand up for your own country. That's why they have fallen in love with their own death. They believe it is a good reasons to do harm to other country to protect their country and if it causes them to die then they see it as worth it. Other countries may see soldiers of the US as terrorists when they go into their countries to fight. Our soldiers believe that a chance of dying is worth it for the country. There is always more than one side to history and I believe in this poem that is what the speaker is trying to understand.
I agree with Micah and Yasmin on what the 7th and 8th stanza are trying to say. As I said in my previous paragraph, we all have our reasons to do what we do and to us they seem like good reasons, even if it could end in death. "the rest of us obey the sting, the surge." We all react to pain in our own way. Often in a similar way but in a different direction. The terrorist reacted as we did to the terrorist but he reacted towards us.
I also really liked the last stanza for some reason. I like how speaking to the terrorist was compared to a poet talking to thunder. We all have feelings we want to express. I personally just feel better when I write down what I feel either in a poem or in just a paragraph form. Writing directly to someone who is involved with what I feel always seems to make me feel like I was actually heard, even if they don't ever read what I write. Although, the terrorist may never read what the speaker believes, the speaker probably felt relieved speaking out and writing it on paper.
"To a Terrorist," is a brief poem full of many emotions. Stephen Dunn definitely has given this horrible tragedy some thought. I can understand his anger towards the terrorist for attacking our country. It is obvious, like he says, "when there's nothing else to do," that this poem will not bring justice into this world, but it surely puts all the emotions out on the table. Knowing that the terrorist has his own "good" reasons show that Dunn has an extremely open mind and is trying to understand that the terrorist was only protecting and fighting for what he believed in, just like we do through the army.
"Perhaps you're hating me now." This takes the understand to a whole new level. I picture the terrorists from other countries observing us and our "easy-looking" life styles in the United States when they are struggling to keep up a descent living. Yes, we invaded their country, and kept living like nothing while we left them raging with anger. Dunn could even be implying that we lead them to wanting to avenge us. "It thinks its terror is meant only to mean well, and to protect." Dunn is probably even trying to explain it.
I believe that the tone is bitter and sincere. Dunn is talking about he pain and grieving people have gone through, and sincerely expresses the way he feels about the situation and the way he thinks.
In the poem, the speaker talks about terrorists as it relates to his point of view. He speaks in an angry tone which expresses his frustration and disgust of their type of lifestyle. For example, in the first stanza in the line that says “knowing there’s nothing, not even revenge, which alleviates a life like yours…” illustrates such frustration. The writer makes reference to the bible (Matthew 5:39) which means in my own words that Jesus not only warns us not to avenge our honor by retaliating but suggests that we indulge the offender further. In this case, a terrorist does otherwise. The poem gives key references to how heartless a terrorist is. In line 6 “might offer his father’s ashes to the wind” is a prime example for my claim. A terrorist is so heartless, that he is love with death and even ending his own regardless of his reasons to engage in such an act. By the tone of the poem, you can see that the speaker is intolerable of terrorism. History tells us that terrorism has infected society to the present day and it has contaminated his emotions. The speaker fuelled with anger, feels the need to write a poem expressing his feelings and views of these type of people.
I enjoyed this poem because it reminds me of my Best Friend reaching out to my sister. Growing up, my sister and I did not get alone and we often fought over just about everything she would often destroy my stuff and I just took it ( turned my cheek) and often she would fight other kids at school and was constantly being kicked out of school. Basically she was being a pest for me and society. Then my Best friend started talking to her trying to figure her out and see why she was like that. He approached her much like this poem. Eventually My sister matured and now I feel this way towards her. I often want to get back at her and get revenge on her for the things she did and I hate that she did everything she did for a reason,(" I hate your good reasons") And though I still can not understand her its just like terrorist, we probable wont ever completely understand why they do what they do, but we still have to forgive them and turn out cheeks to them. I agree with Ms. Gruver that we really can just assume an interpretation to this poem, and I feel that in the last stanza he is saying that not every poet's voice is going to be heard, and I feel that right there he is relating to the terrorist because these people have to go to the extremes just to be heard, and in tern this would also be talking about my sister because in the end it took her to do drastic things to be listened to.
The title reveals that the poem acts as a letter addressed to a terrorist. Terrorist meaning a person that pursues harm onto humanity. Focusing on the diction connotation, the first stanza presents the reader with a pessimistic view of history and how it, with out a doubt, will repeat hostility because of ignorant bigotry. This tone carries till the end as does the bitterness.
ReplyDeleteThe speaker establishes an over all brusque tone, as an example "I hate your good reasons. I hate the hatefulness that makes you fall". Repeating "I hate the hatefulness" draws emphases on the imagery viewing hate as a noun, perhaps an entity which has wicked motives.
This poem is overcrowded with a choleric temper and has informal gestures, for example, "I'm just speaking out loud to cancel my silence. Consider it an old impulse, doomed to become mere words." This sets the reader to feel impatience and unforgiving though out reading the poem.
Is the speaker mocking when saying, "Perhaps you're hating me now, I who own my own house and live in a country so muscular..." Possibly insinuating that the "terrorist" is jealous of his freedoms and fortunes? And this is the reason for committing hate crimes?
I agree also about the tone and how the speaker is angry towards any terrorist and their hateful way and beliefs. But you have to understand that the "terrorist" is not jealous of his freedoms and fortunes. Well depending on what religion we are taking about, such muslim, hindu, jewish, christian, etc... doesn't really matter, they simply dislike the way "the world" is evolving and hate changes or need to make a example out of someone. Normally, for instance, muslims hate western theology and the way we live. Their acts are simply base on their beliefs and want us to change, like how we are trying to do the same for them.
DeleteThe poem specifically acknowledges "terrorist" that do harmful things with their harmful beliefs. It can be anyone in any culture. Muslims are not the only culture people hate us, Chinese, Koreans, so on and so on.
Back to the Poem, I enjoyed reading it, but for my poems are not so much my thing, but this definitely caught my eye. We i read, it kind of gave me a flash back of the experiences i had overseas. We i was over there, i was consider as a "terrorist" in their eyes and they hated what we did and what we done. Great poem though.
I agree with what you are saying about the speaker being negative towards history - I feel though as the speaker likes the negativity found in history and how that is empowering.
ReplyDeleteI personally find myself torn between loving and hating this poem.I feel there is a hidden passion in the poem that goes past patriotism, I think its a passion for the value of human life. I feel as if the speaker is trying to convey many things ; number one he is giving a last attempt that may not even be an attempt, to end terrorism. The hope of terrorism ending has fled him.Tough the speaker appears to be full of hate for the person who partakes in terrorism, something tells me, he feels compassion for the life of a terrorist. The speaker in a way acknowledges that their inst much of a choice once you are born into terrorism.
ReplyDeleteThe line " I hate your hatefulness that makes you fall in love with death,your own included" I especially like this line because it states not a passion nor a desire or anger that terrorist feel for death but the "love" love is so strong and for the speaker to say "fall in love with death " means that their is a bond between the terrorist and the death that they yearn for.
Lines nineteen and twenty when the speaker writes " Christ turned is singular cheek " I like the use of "singular" here- stating that Christ was an individual not a representation of something all man kind should do and then " one mans holiness another absurdity" just pushes the reader to feel the support that this "turning of the cheek " was something one man did for himself, and his personal views, not to be followed by all of humanity.
The speaker is portraying the conflict of a normal person with terrorism : when we are caught between our hate for the hate they carry, and our compassion for their situation and the root of their hate.
Yes I can see the speaker, even through frustrations, takes pity on the terrorist that harbors hate to the degree of wishing death onto others. "I offer this poem without hope, knowing there's nothing, not even revenge, which alleviates a life like yours. I offer it as one might offer his father's ashes to the wind a gesture when there's nothing else to do." I can envision the boggled speaker contend with a palm to his face, and he understanding this poem may never have an effect on extremist and excepts it.
ReplyDeleteReading through this poem incites emotion without a doubt, filled with passion and a vernacular that has much emotional as well as physical feelings involved. And the speaker absolutely conveys its feelings in a strong way, but I would not go as far to say the speaker is bitter, pessimistic, or choleric. Instead I see the speaker from the first 3 stanzas presents this poem as an “offer without hope” but still “as one might offer his father’ ashes to the wind”. Yes, the speaker does not believe that a change in the terrorist will ensue with this poem, but like one who spreads ashes for a loved one who does that out of duty and respect when all has been done and it is the last step in the acknowledging the deep sadness (and/or joy) of the death, the poem to a terrorist is “a gesture when there’s nothing else to”.
ReplyDeleteThe speaker as well does not even say that he/she hates the terrorist, but instead the speaker hate the “reasons” they have for being a terrorist and the “hatefulness” that is in them; hating the choices and actions that drive the terrorist, but not the person. This is a very powerful concept.
To jump back to how the speaker says they have “goods reasons” is also something to be noted. The speaker does not per say agree with the reason, does he/she agree that they are even good reasons, but does acknowledge that somehow, in the twisted view that a terrorist would have, they are ‘good enough’ for the terrorist to act in the manner they do, loving death.
As Yasmin points to the 7th stanza (Christ turning his singular cheek), this stanza as well is what stood out the most for me.
Each reading of this poem, I can’t help but re-reading its last line, “the rest of us obey the sting”. The physical evocation this word, of something that stings, everyone feels its sharpness and pointed pain. We all have felt a stinging pain in one way or another, and in turn, we react, we “obey” the sting. We obey the “surge” and, when slapped across the face, feeling we have been wronged and injustice has happened, we want to retaliate, repay, and force payment, somehow, for the wrong that has been done and the pain that has been caused.
The reader is this stanza, identifies with the terrorist, they were separate until this point, and now they are the same; “like you, the rest of us obey the sting”. The terrorist has his reasons (pain, hurt, inequity with America, etc.) for responding the way he does, and the individual slapped across the face reacts/obeys for their own reasons (pain, hurt, injustice, etc.).
Christ was the only one, the only ‘individual’ (singular, as Yasmin said) that did not cave to the “old impulse” (second too last stanza).
You made some key points here. I like that that you broke down each stanza in your views. These are key things i will take with me when I write my essays =D
Deletethe speaker is a angry person who is having a hard time trying to understand the reason why a terrorist killed maybe someone he loved. The subject of the poem is directed to the terrorist to let him know the wrong thing that he have made. There are some religions are around the world with differents ideologies but after all there are against those acts. Also the speaker give or show a sense of forgiveness or he is traying to do it. The speaker mentioned on the poem that he did not have desires of revenge, spite of he hate what he have done. I consider that the speaker only wants to be heard and try to make to the terrorist feel guilty.
ReplyDeleteOn the poem is mention Christ, he think that Christ is a holiness and we all follow and obey what he say and that is dumb, because if some one hit you i would be very har to contain your self and let to the other hip you again.
I really do not know if I am right, but that is what i understood.
"To a Terrorist" states the that the poem is addressed to a terrorist acting as a letter consisting of thoughts and reasons towards history from an angered or passionate person. The poem catches my attention because I don't feel like it is just an act of the hate that one feels towards a terrorist but towards others who care guilty of similar acts.
ReplyDelete"I offer this poem without hope," I believe it to mean that the poet wants to have the audience understand that there are feelings on the subject, and yet the other believes that nothing will happen and if it does then it of the slightest chance. I think the poet is the same person writing as if it is geared towards one person but is meant for any person who reads it. It take away with the poem that everyone is a terrorist. "I speak out loud to cancel my silence." Meaning that opinions are not heard out loud and should be expressed.I think this poem has patriotism, how one can stand back and fight through words for what they believe in and not sit back and allow violence to continue.
This poem was written before a major terrorist attack on the United States. I think if I had read this poem prior to the attack I would not have had such a strong connection. Now reading this I have a stronger opinion to how something as simple as one poem can have a large impact on what a terrorist is and how to respond to them. I was not affected by 9/11 by losing someone I knew but just the fact that I am a U.S. citizen and I feel anger and hate against those who have hate in them to force such violent acts on our country.
I think the speaker's tone is calm and straight forward when presented but has an application of force and rage embedded to carry out a stronger affect. Also a sense of understanding to why something is happening.
To assume an interpertation of Stephen's Dunn perspective of "To a Terrrorist" would bring little justification to his words. However, one can only convey and shoot for the starts with a weak assumption that will never serve the text. This is validation alone for not saying "I THINK this is what the speaker is saying," but more effectively by stating "I FEEL this way to what he is saying".
ReplyDeleteStephen Dunn mentions an emotion with effects of a physical "sting", however I feel the dissapointment of knowing some are filled with one too many obligations, distractions,and pride to feel even a slight pinch. I strongly feel my own struggle, but how much can one remind himself that others struggle as well? I feel that the speaker's words inflects this emotion within me, however like Dunn says, some stanzas could be "mere words".
I am cheering Stephen Dunn! I feel something, and I can never pinpoint that emotion, and that's the most thrilling aspect of engaging with this poem. Well done sir, because I feel him doing something so courageous, it truly deserves some recognition within my reply. The speaker can be vulenerable, and humble without exxageration, for he is identifying, not with the terrorist in general, for that would be too naive of a judgement, but he is relating to me, and whoever the hell is willing to take his hand.
I feel such glorification in taking such an insecure hand. His poem is not the only "offering" the speaker gives right away, there is also that gorgeous freedom of experiencing a feeling; truly embracing that emotional "sting", and take it as you may.
I conclude my thoughts with a repitition of my strong stance. I couldn't analyze this poem because hell, I can't even analyze myself one bit. However, I can experience this poem over and over again, each time never the same, in hope of someday reading it once more, and taking his offering, with something of my own to give back.
"To the Terrorist", is a poem envoking a strong sense of vulenarbility within me. We can all be strangers, we can all be as foreign and misconstrued as a terrorist. You don't need to say much to show the cruelty of seperation as individuals, and the beauty of coming together with humble acknowledgement as a whole.
i can see you were very emotionally connected to this poem. lol
DeleteI love how a poem can make someone feel an emotion and to not be able to pinpoint it (in my view) makes it that much more special. It allows you to think and dig deeper than the words that were written, mainly read between the lines. I think you understood Dunn's point he was trying to make clear. You say, "there is also that gorgeous freedom of experiencing a feeling; truly embracing that emotional "sting", and take it as you may." I think that alone describes not only this poem but many poem and the affect they can have on an individual. Personally, this is not a poem that would be classified as one of my favorites but you made it much more enjoyable to think of for me. Thanks!
DeleteI enjoyed this poem "To a Terrorist". There was something about the way the speaker just seems to have a conversation with a terrorist. The speaker's tone is solemn but there is a harsh side to it. He seems to feel resentment the terrorist, having a dislike for what he does. Yet, he still is trying to understand why the terrorist does what he does. As he says, "I hate your good reasons." (line 11). The speaker seems to believe that, although he is resentful, the terrorist lived in a life in which he believed this was what was right for himself and his own country. That's why I think the speaker writes this poem, to try and understand why the terrorist would believe it was for the right reasons. The speaker has the belief though that after whatever act was made by the terrorist would then in the end change his view upon his "good reasons". "Perhaps you're hating me now, I who own my own house and live in a country so muscular'" (line 15). Those once seemingly good reasons are going to be overlooked as the terrorist is now jealous of what he didn't have.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I don't appreciate terrorists or anyone who tries to do harm against anothers country, I feel sorry for those people as I believe so does the speaker. As in line 12 shows, "I hate the hatefulness that makes you fall in love with death, your own included." They've been taught through their own stories of history that other countries have done their own country harm. They do not act out upon a random act but they act to stand up for your own country. That's why they have fallen in love with their own death. They believe it is a good reasons to do harm to other country to protect their country and if it causes them to die then they see it as worth it. Other countries may see soldiers of the US as terrorists when they go into their countries to fight. Our soldiers believe that a chance of dying is worth it for the country. There is always more than one side to history and I believe in this poem that is what the speaker is trying to understand.
I agree with Micah and Yasmin on what the 7th and 8th stanza are trying to say. As I said in my previous paragraph, we all have our reasons to do what we do and to us they seem like good reasons, even if it could end in death. "the rest of us obey the sting, the surge." We all react to pain in our own way. Often in a similar way but in a different direction. The terrorist reacted as we did to the terrorist but he reacted towards us.
I also really liked the last stanza for some reason. I like how speaking to the terrorist was compared to a poet talking to thunder. We all have feelings we want to express. I personally just feel better when I write down what I feel either in a poem or in just a paragraph form. Writing directly to someone who is involved with what I feel always seems to make me feel like I was actually heard, even if they don't ever read what I write. Although, the terrorist may never read what the speaker believes, the speaker probably felt relieved speaking out and writing it on paper.
"To a Terrorist," is a brief poem full of many emotions. Stephen Dunn definitely has given this horrible tragedy some thought. I can understand his anger towards the terrorist for attacking our country. It is obvious, like he says, "when there's nothing else to do," that this poem will not bring justice into this world, but it surely puts all the emotions out on the table. Knowing that the terrorist has his own "good" reasons show that Dunn has an extremely open mind and is trying to understand that the terrorist was only protecting and fighting for what he believed in, just like we do through the army.
ReplyDelete"Perhaps you're hating me now." This takes the understand to a whole new level. I picture the terrorists from other countries observing us and our "easy-looking" life styles in the United States when they are struggling to keep up a descent living. Yes, we invaded their country, and kept living like nothing while we left them raging with anger. Dunn could even be implying that we lead them to wanting to avenge us. "It thinks its terror is meant only to mean well, and to protect." Dunn is probably even trying to explain it.
I believe that the tone is bitter and sincere. Dunn is talking about he pain and grieving people have gone through, and sincerely expresses the way he feels about the situation and the way he thinks.
In the poem, the speaker talks about terrorists as it relates to his point of view. He speaks in an angry tone which expresses his frustration and disgust of their type of lifestyle. For example, in the first stanza in the line that says “knowing there’s nothing, not even revenge, which alleviates a life like yours…” illustrates such frustration. The writer makes reference to the bible (Matthew 5:39) which means in my own words that Jesus not only warns us not to avenge our honor by retaliating but suggests that we indulge the offender further. In this case, a terrorist does otherwise.
ReplyDeleteThe poem gives key references to how heartless a terrorist is. In line 6 “might offer his father’s ashes to the wind” is a prime example for my claim. A terrorist is so heartless, that he is love with death and even ending his own regardless of his reasons to engage in such an act.
By the tone of the poem, you can see that the speaker is intolerable of terrorism. History tells us that terrorism has infected society to the present day and it has contaminated his emotions. The speaker fuelled with anger, feels the need to write a poem expressing his feelings and views of these type of people.
I enjoyed this poem because it reminds me of my Best Friend reaching out to my sister. Growing up, my sister and I did not get alone and we often fought over just about everything she would often destroy my stuff and I just took it ( turned my cheek) and often she would fight other kids at school and was constantly being kicked out of school. Basically she was being a pest for me and society. Then my Best friend started talking to her trying to figure her out and see why she was like that. He approached her much like this poem. Eventually My sister matured and now I feel this way towards her. I often want to get back at her and get revenge on her for the things she did and I hate that she did everything she did for a reason,(" I hate your good reasons") And though I still can not understand her its just like terrorist, we probable wont ever completely understand why they do what they do, but we still have to forgive them and turn out cheeks to them. I agree with Ms. Gruver that we really can just assume an interpretation to this poem, and I feel that in the last stanza he is saying that not every poet's voice is going to be heard, and I feel that right there he is relating to the terrorist because these people have to go to the extremes just to be heard, and in tern this would also be talking about my sister because in the end it took her to do drastic things to be listened to.
ReplyDeleteTo me its all about futility...he is raging against the tragedy of it all yet he knows even his words are futile as this act will go on and on.
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