The third stanza only contains two short lines, which is able to communicate a lot to the readers. A single word “shadow” may lead us to think of darkness, which may then link back into the second stanza, where the wall have rose so high that it is causing this “shadow”. This may further suggest and add to the imagery that the wall is visible. The poet then goes on and describes himself as being “black” which might put forward the idea of him being racially black, informing readers that he could have been discriminated and therefore, have lost hope or could also imply that the shadow have caused this blackness over him.
In the next stanza, the speaker seemed to have given up as he realized that no matter how hard he tries, his dream is out of reach. “No longer the light of my dream before me” “above me.” Followed by the most depressed moment in the poem, where the poet uses the word “only” implying that he could no longer see his future, as all he sees is the wall and the shadow.
In the last stanza, there is a change in both the tone and the speed. The lines seem to flow quicker as each line is longer and extended. Exclamation marks are constantly used while there are less full stops, “my hands!” showing force and motivation. Then the speaker changes his tone demonstrating hope and excitement. “Break through the wall!” indicating success, having the potential to achieve his dream.
“The Choosing” explores and compares two individuals and the path they have chosen. The eye is the narrator (participant poet) that creates a stream of consciousness effect.
The first stanza stronger enforces the idea to readers that the two individuals are “equal” and “alike”, by using words such as “we” “same” and “equal” over and over again. This stanza is written in past tense; with the continuous use of the word “first” indicating that the two individuals have started with the same ability and chances. This stanza informs readers about the similarities and feelings they shared inside school.
The second stanza occurs outside school, showing readers that as well as being alike, they are also best friends who have a “common bond” being the cleverest. The poet has used brackets “(equal)” reinforcing to the readers that they are still equal. Readers is also told that they do not have many opportunities, as everything is “small”, “small town”, “a small school”. Despite the fact that they are equally bright, the poet also admits that “fear” is present between them as one individual excels more at a subject whilst they both fear that the other would be able to achieve more.
In the third stanza, things begin to change. Since things are no longer “equal”, they start becoming “different” in the separate homes but same houses. The idea of alikeness is still present although the word “home” extends further suggesting different cultural and traditional ideas inside the families. Readers start to become aware that things begin to change as it states, “Where the choices were made.” This shows how similar two individuals may be physically, with the same coloured ribbons and hair and yet, they are so different.
In the fourth stanza, a decision was made as Mary have moved away from their little town, while there is a change in status “cheaper rent”, “high school bus.” Readers hear the decision being made as Mary’s father “didn’t believe in high school education” “especially for girls” and so we learn that Mary’s father has very traditional and old-fashioned ideas. Informal languages are used to describe how Mary’s father feels such as “forking.”
Then there is a jump in time as it states “ten years later” where the two individuals meet up again, no longer alike. It has shorter lines that again, would make the flow slower taking in each idea separately. These seem like memories, where Mary is seated on the same bus, but with something extra. Her husband and the newborn baby (suggesting a happy family) since the poet describes how loving they seem. Then the speaker says “not that I envy her, really” giving an impression to the readers that somewhere deep inside her, she would too like someone who loves her.
Finally in the last stanza, there is a comparison between the speaker and Mary. Mary’s arm wraps around her newborn baby, where the speaker’s arm are full of books. The speaker “wonders” what path would have been taken if the individuals were able to make their own choices, wondering if they would have chosen different paths, as the speaker finishes with “we do not remember making them.”
In conclusion, the two poems explore different lives through the use of punctuation and repetition of words, which helps to create imagery as well as assisting the indication of the passing of time.
