Introduction
Many of today’s poets examine the perils of giving in to temptation, power, possessiveness, and violence by writing about the issue of self-destruction. This essay will examine the theme of self-destruction in the works of four poets, Gwendolyn Brooks (“We Real Cool”), Camille T. Dungy (“Because It Looked Hotter That Way”), and Carolyn Forché (“The Colonel”) by analyzing their respective works and the literary devices they use to express this theme. The perils of self-destruction in contemporary society and its effects on individuals and communities can be better understood if we analyze these poems’ imagery, repetition, enjambment, and structure.
Thesis
Gwendolyn Brooks employs slant rhyme, short lines, and repetition to create an urgent and tense atmosphere in “We Real Cool,” which reflects the characters’ impulsive actions. The overuse of “We” stresses the importance of group dynamics and the peril of conformity. The poem’s concluding lines, “We / Die soon,” cement the characters’ destinies and emphasize the concept of self-destruction (Brooks, 3). Just as the flames and destruction in “Because It Looked Hotter That Way” by Camille T. Dungy represent the potential repercussions of giving in to temptation, so does this poem’s title. When the poem finishes with the line “It looked hotter that way,” the reader is left with the unsettling impression that the speaker is still tempted to light the fuse (Sullivan & Sullivan, 247). The Colonel, a character in “The Colonel” by Carolyn Forché, represents the sickening pleasure that power and violence may provide. Using “He” repeatedly highlights the Colonel’s obsession with himself at the expense of others. The speaker contemplates the peril of such unfettered power in the poem’s last lines, emphasizing self-destruction: “I am tired. Those around me are sick of hearing about my problems, but I was never meant to live. The dramatic monologue and enjambment of the poem’s structure underline the speaker’s controlled fury and self-centeredness (Flaschka, 2002). The speaker’s possessiveness leads to his wife’s death in the poem’s last lines, highlighting the theme of self-destruction: “I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together.” These four poems show how easy it is to destroy oneself when one gives in to temptation, power, possessiveness, or violence in the current world through diverse literary forms and topics.
Body
Temptation and struggle are common in the human experience, and the allure of self-destructive conduct is always present. Poetry by Gwendolyn Brooks (“We Real Cool”), Camille T. Dungy (“Because It Looked Hotter That Way”), and Carolyn Forché (“The Colonel”) all delve deeply into this topic. All of these stories include protagonists who must avoid the peril of caving to temptation when presented with life-or-death decisions. Ultimately, these poems show how easy it is to destroy oneself in today’s world.
In “We Real Cool,” the protagonists are high school dropouts who spend their time at a pool club. They can either give up and admit defeat or indulge in reckless activity and ignore the potential repercussion (Brooks, 1). So also, in “Because It Looked Hotter That Way,” the narrator almost sets off a fuse but stops themselves. The poem suggests that if you give in to temptation, you can end up in a lot of trouble. He has the opportunity to accomplish good with his power, but he chooses evil, resulting in his destruction. The poem emphasizes the perils of unfettered power and the repercussions of careless use of authority. Once again, the speaker’s possessiveness and jealousy cause the death of his wife in the poem, whom he feels is disloyal to him. He must decide whether to put his faith in his wife and treat her with respect or to exert dominance over her and eventually cause her downfall. The poem demonstrates how possessiveness may lead to destruction for both the possessor and the object of his or her desire.
In “We Real Cool,” Brooks depicts a group of young guys who have chosen to forgo formal education in favour of wild lifestyles. We real cool.” is the poem’s first line. We skipped out on class and headed straight home. The first two words, “we,” convey the tone of defiance and defiance of societal standards. The overuse of “We” highlights a group focus and the peril of peer pressure (Brooks, 3). The poem’s slant rhyme and short, jagged lines evoke a sense of haste and anxiety that echoes the protagonists’ erratic actions. In the poem’s final lines, the characters’ dooms are sealed: “We / Die soon” (7-8), further emphasizing the concept of self-destruction.
Dungy’s “Because It Looked Hotter That Way” also addresses the perils of giving in to temptation. The narrator recalls an almost fatal mistake: “I had never thought to touch the orange tip / of the lighter to the end of the black wick” (5-6). The poem’s references to fire and destruction are metaphors for the many outcomes of giving in to temptation (Sullivan & Sullivan, 2021). Although the speaker does not end up lighting the fuse, the poem closes with the eerie line, “It looked hotter that way” (14), implying that the temptation is not entirely gone.
Forché’s “The Colonel” presents a new spin on the theme of self-destruction by highlighting the perils of authority and physical force. The poem’s protagonist is a cruel dictator who takes pleasure in torturing his people. “He thought it was nice of me to tell him and / He smiled at the boy” (28-29), the speaker says of the Colonel, stressing his sadistic enjoyment at the sight he depicts. The Colonel’s sole emphasis on his wants, even at the cost of other people’s lives, is emphasized by using the pronoun “He” multiple times. In the poem’s last words, the speaker muses on the peril of such uncontrolled power, saying, “I am tired. People are sick of hearing about my problems, but I was never supposed to live (73–74).
Conclusion
Collectively, these works show how easy it is in today’s world to destroy oneself through reckless actions, caving to temptation, carelessly wielding power, or extreme possessiveness and control. These stories have protagonists who must make tough decisions and live with the results, highlighting the risks of destructive behaviour and the importance of self-aware decision-making. Additionally, these three poems demonstrate the theme of self-destruction through various literary devices and themes, warning readers of the dangers of giving in to temptation, power, possessiveness, and violence in modern society. The dramatic monologue format of the poem emphasizes the speaker’s egotism, while the enjambment used throughout conveys a sense of subdued rage. The poem’s closing lines reveal the poem’s central theme: self-destruction.
Work Cited
Brooks, G. (1959). We are cool. Broadside Press.
Sullivan, P., & Sullivan, P. (2021). Heartbreak. Democracy, Social Justice, and the American Community College: A Student-Centered Perspective, pp. 245–268.
Flaschka, S. (2002). CAROLYN FORCHE (1950–). Catherine Cucinella, 117.
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