Compare Nothing's Changed to One Other Poem Showing How the Poets Convey Their Thoughts and Feelings.

Compare Nothing's Changed to One Other Poem Showing How the Poets Convey Their Thoughts and Feelings.

  • Submitted By: natalya1234
  • Date Submitted: 05/10/2011 2:09 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 678
  • Page: 3
  • Views: 458

Compare nothing's changed to one other poem showing how the poets convey their thoughts and feelings.

Both poets convey strong ideas about the divisions that are inherent in modern-day society. Afrika conveys his ideas by writing about racial discrimination and segregation in South Africa, telling the reader about the differences in the quality of life for Blacks and Whites. Afrika also describes the atmosphere, nature and setting in much more detail, using it to represent the history of District Six .However Ferlinghetti decides to tackle the theme of social/wealth divide in America. Ferlinghetti recalls a moment in time when a garbage truck and a Mercedes were juxtaposed whilst waiting at a red traffic light, and is built upon the contrast between the two sets of people in these vehicles. Ferlinghetti, who focuses on the people who are the protagonists of his poem. Although set in two very different locations; one in a third world country and another in a developed country, both poets deal with the issue of inequality and prejudice.
'Nothing's Changed' is the expression of Tatamkhulu Afrika's opposition to the system of apartheid in south africa, under which black people were denied many of their basic rights, and were not allowed to mix freely with white people. Where as in ‘Two Scavengers’ the people are in equal due to their status in society. The garbage truck and its occupants; the colours are very vivid: the truck itself bright yellow, and the men's plastic blazers red, echoing the colour of the traffic light that has forced them to stop. The two garbagemen are hanging on to the back of the truck, one on each side, looking down at the 'elegant couple' in the Mercedes.
Afrika tells us that there is “no sign” to say which district this is, but he knows instinctively that it is District Six. His recognition of the place is showed through a list of parts of his body that know exactly where he is. “the skin about my bones” “The soft laboring of my lungs”...

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