Analysing poems - Another life and the Lament of the Banana man.

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Analysing poems

The poems I have chosen to write about are Another life and the Lament of the Banana man. The style of writing in each poem is very different but the contents are very similar. Both poems are complaining about their new life in a place like Britain and how they wish they could be back in Jamaica. These two poems are written by black people and they both include situations of racism. Here are my views of the two poems: -

               The title Another means to me a different time or place a different way of living a completely different way of LIFE.

               The first verse is about the happy days back in his “OLD” life. He starts off the verse with “Remembered in flashbacks particular flavours or smells” This means that he remembers the old days and remembers the life’s smells or flavours. This gives the impression that it is a relaxing peaceful place where there are no worries. This impression is crated by the use of words like “pines” “clear” “sandy” “hammock” these suggest tranquillity and paradise. The way the poet describes this place as if he would like to be there. This could represent somewhere like Jamaica.

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               The next verse is about a completely different place. The poet says that this life (the life he is in now) hardly remembers about the peaceful life. He says that the streets are surrendered to traffic and police. From those words you can already tell that this life is no way similar to his “OLD” life. This suggests that it is a hectic busy city. He then goes on to say “and as if weathers for losing tempers in or throwing up ones hands to outdoors” This suggests that he is fed up ...

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