Compare the methods used to make a protest through poetry in two scavengers and one other poem.

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Compare the methods used to make a protest through poetry in two scavengers and one other poem.

Both ‘Two Scavengers’ and ‘Nothing’s Changed’ are protesting against issues of discrimination between different classes of society and different races. In ‘Two Scavengers’ Ferlinghetti is protesting against the inequalities within a democracy, and how it’s not democratic but more ruled by class. In ‘Nothing’s Changed’ we are shown Africa when the apartheid law was still in place and a protest about the way black people are treated there.

The imagery used by both poets highlights there protests against the unfairness of society. ‘Two Scavengers’ is set in San Francisco which is meant to be a democratic society however there is a ‘small gulf in the high seas of this democracy.’ The use of this metaphor emphasizes how society is still ruled by class. Ferlinghetti says the gulf is ‘small’ which indicates it should be easy to cross the over to a democratic society. However, paired with ‘the high seas’, it becomes hard to cross. It is dangerous to try and break out of the different classes and it is easier and almost safer to remain in the same kind of society. The use of the word ‘democracy’ is sarcastic, there shouldn’t be a ‘gulf’ in a ‘democracy’, especially in a place like ‘San Francisco’ that should keep everyone equal.

Similarly there is an invisible divide in apartheid Africa, shown in ‘Nothing’s Changed’, where although 'No sign says it is’ they still ‘know where they belong.’ Apartheid is over when the poem had been written, however, like in ‘Two Scavengers’ there is still inequality between the two classes of people. The white people still believe that the black people don’t belong there. It highlights the invisible divide between the two cultures. It is meant to be equal now however the black people realize that the white people don’t want them and ‘know where they belong.’ Afrika uses himself in first person to speak for the whole group using the word ‘we’. He’s speaking up for the black people and although they are angry at is they accept it. Even though it’s not a law anymore and there is ‘no sign’ the divide between them is great.

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Furthermore Ferlinghetti uses a simile to compare one of the ‘garbage men’ to a ‘gargoyle Quasimodo’. Quasimodo was an ugly character but had a very good heart. This shows that although today society is mostly ruled by appearances, inside some people there can be kindness and compassion. A ‘gargoyle’ is used to scare away evil in churches. It shows that the man protects the city by keeping it clean. He may seem insignificant and ‘Quasimodo’ like, but without him the ‘cool couple’ wouldn’t be living in a clean city.

Likewise Afrika may be suggesting that the black people are ...

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Although general spelling and grammar are satisfactory, there are a few mistakes which would be obvious to the examiner and probably result in lower marks, such as 'there' instead of 'their'. It is also a good idea in exams to try and use reasonably sophisticated vocabulary, and avoid more colloquial terms such as 'well off'. An increase in the use of terminology would also help, proving to the examiner they can identify these devices and giving them easy points of comparison, but the general layout of the answer covers the all of areas the question asks.

Each point made is detailed, but not particularly specific. While this is a good thing because it means each point can be linked with various quotes and techniques to back it up with further evidence, the candidate has not really done this; they quote from the poem and follow this with a paragraph or so of analysis and although this level of detail and development is good, the usage more quotes in each point or making more points with less detail would maximise the marks recieved. The introduction is good, setting out the attitudes of each poet as a starting point to refer back to, but the student could do with putting the poems into context a bit more, and just writing a short sentence on what occurs in the poem and why they think it is a protest.

The answer has answered the set question is a comphrensive and detailed manner, managing to explicitly detail and develop everything and link most points back to the question and the protest being presented by the poets. The originality and personal ideas in the essay are very good, just taking the chosen points a bit further without straying too far and stretching impossible links.