Beats Movement Synopsis
Beat Poetry began in the 1940s in New York City as well as the west coast.
The end of World War II left poets at that time frustrated and questioning mainstream politics and culture.
This made poets like Allen Ginsberg, Kenneth Rexroth, Neal Cassidy among others write poetry
that expressed their frustration and emotion from that era.
The end of World War II left poets at that time frustrated and questioning mainstream politics and culture.
This made poets like Allen Ginsberg, Kenneth Rexroth, Neal Cassidy among others write poetry
that expressed their frustration and emotion from that era.
"Discrimination" by Kenneth Rexroth
I don’t mind the human race.
I’ve got pretty used to them
In these past twenty-five years.
I don’t mind if they sit next
To me on streetcars, or eat
In the same restaurants, if
It’s not at the same table.
However, I don’t approve
Of a woman I respect
Dancing with one of them. I’ve
Tried asking them to my home
Without success. I shouldn’t
Care to see my own sister
Marry one. Even if she
Loved him, think of the children.
Their art is interesting,
But certainly barbarous.
I’m sure, if given a chance,
They’d kill us all in our beds.
And you must admit, they smell.
I’ve got pretty used to them
In these past twenty-five years.
I don’t mind if they sit next
To me on streetcars, or eat
In the same restaurants, if
It’s not at the same table.
However, I don’t approve
Of a woman I respect
Dancing with one of them. I’ve
Tried asking them to my home
Without success. I shouldn’t
Care to see my own sister
Marry one. Even if she
Loved him, think of the children.
Their art is interesting,
But certainly barbarous.
I’m sure, if given a chance,
They’d kill us all in our beds.
And you must admit, they smell.
Analysis
"Discrimation" by Kenneth Rexroth is a poem that is very discriminatory .
He refers to what I think are black people as "them" or "they" This poem reflects the thoughts of many Caucasians in this era.
Although it is not incredibly harsh and rude, it is still insulting.
This shows that a lot caucasians didn't mind black people so long as there were no ties with them such as marriage and family. This is very short and to the point. It is a stereotypical piece of literature.
He refers to what I think are black people as "them" or "they" This poem reflects the thoughts of many Caucasians in this era.
Although it is not incredibly harsh and rude, it is still insulting.
This shows that a lot caucasians didn't mind black people so long as there were no ties with them such as marriage and family. This is very short and to the point. It is a stereotypical piece of literature.
Literary Devices
This poem contains Euphemisms, Paradoxes, and Hyperboles. An example of a euphemism in this poem is basically anytime he uses "they" or "them" because he isn't trying to specifically be derogatory towards black people although that is the intent. Paradoxes appear where he says "their art is interesting, but certainly barbarous." It's contradicting because he is referring to the children as art yet he is saying that they will be exceedingly cruel.