Comparative Essay - Two Poems Essay

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Topic: Comparative Essay- Two Poems
IntroductionThe poems ‘The Visit’ by Margaret Atwood and ‘The Fat Black Woman Gone Shopping’ by Grace Nichols is a contrast in the intended mode of delivery by the poets in communicating their message. Both poems are set in different locations; the one by Grace Nichols adopting an English setting with the other, by Atwood, adopting a general setting preferably her country-Canada. They use different styles and diction to communicate with the audience.Themes in ‘The Visit’ by Margaret AtwoodSurety of ChangeChange is inevitable as depicted by Margaret Atwood. She says in the first stanza:"Gone are the days when you could walk on water……., the memories are no friend,". This ‘days you could walk on water’ signify the moments when one could do or anticipate greater things or accomplishments. "These days are gone..." depict the transition from the peak moments to lesser chances in life. The memories that remain only serve to remind you of what you no longer have. Atwood uses the memories as the interface between one’s peak moment when he/she could accomplish more and the moments when you could perform less than the threshold; that is, "Gone are the days when you could walk on water"-when you could accomplish more,"..When you could walk"- performing below the threshold since walking is used to signify the basic actions one could perform. The earlier times seem to be the most captivating moments of the character. The present moments have deteriorated so much.Grace Nichols "The Flat Black Woman, " contradicts this order. While Atwood depicts change from better to worse, Nichols does the opposite. She says: "Shopping in London winter is a real drag for the fat black woman" but she is in search of an accommodating wear though the choices are limited. The winter conditions portray the adverse conditions the black woman is undergoing but the purpose-"in search if an accommodating wear" signify some hope to counter this ‘condition’.Theme in ‘The Fat Black Woman Goes Shopping’ by Grace NicholsDiscriminationDiscrimination is articulated by use of words such as ‘fashion’, ‘size’ and ‘cold weather’. The black woman signifies the black people in England. She is introduced to weather unfamiliar to his setting and journeying with no end that is-"going from store to store" but does not manage to get the suitable clothing. She uses her size and fashion as an excuse to cover up the discrimination she undergoes. That is; she says:" the choice is lean, nothing much beyond size 14."Structure1.LanguageThe Visit’ by Margaret Atwood, on the other hand, is divided into stanzas each synchronizing to communicate the message of change depicted by the character. The poet uses the ‘questions and answer’ to convey his message, for example, the tenth stanza where she says: "Do you recognize anything? I said…Anything familiar? Yes, you said. The bed". Rather than an essay or prose form, the poet uses a conversational diction to express her theme in reference to the quest...