Read Any One Of The Below Readings And Explain How This Work
Read Any One Of The Below Readings And Explain How This Work Demonstra
Read any one of the below readings and explain how this work demonstrates an effort to engage with and make sense of the challenges of the modern world. Cather's "Neighbor Rosicky" (1841); Frost's "The Road Not Taken" (1887) and "Desert Places" (1891); Sandburg's "Chicago" (1917) and "Grass" (1918); O'Neil's Long Day's Journey into Night (2005); and Hughes' "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" (2227), "I, Too" (2228), and "Song for a Dark Girl" (2229). No less than 300 words and it has to have multiple paragraphs.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The literary works listed reflect a profound engagement with the multifaceted challenges of modern life, ranging from personal identity crises to societal inequalities. Each piece offers a unique lens through which the writers explore and make sense of their contemporary realities. Among these, Carl Sandburg’s poem "Chicago" serves as a compelling example of how literature can embody the spirit of resilience and underlying optimism amidst urban struggles. Similarly, Langston Hughes’ "I, Too" addresses racial discrimination and asserts the resilience of marginalized communities. This essay analyzes how these works demonstrate an active effort to grapple with and interpret the complexities of the modern world.
Engagement with Urbanization and Societal Change
Sandburg’s "Chicago" vividly captures the dynamic, sometimes tumultuous nature of urban life in early 20th-century America. Through energetic language and vivid imagery, Sandburg embraces the city’s rough edges, acknowledging both its industrial grandeur and its social struggles. His portrayal of Chicago as a "City of the Big Shoulders" emphasizes pride and resilience in the face of economic and social upheavals. The poem demonstrates a conscious effort to understand and assert the identity of a city and its people amid rapid modernization, embodying a modernist approach of confronting change rather than fleeing from it.
Addressing Racial and Social Inequalities
Similarly, Hughes’ "I, Too" confronts racial discrimination head-on, asserting the dignity and unity of African Americans despite systemic oppression. Hughes writes from an optimistic perspective, envisioning a future where racial equality is achieved, and marginalized voices are recognized. His work makes a deliberate effort to engage with the social challenges of race relations in America, conveying hope and resilience. This stance not only challenges existing racial injustices but also encourages society to recognize its moral shortcomings and work toward progress.
Personal and Existential Reflection in Literature
Frost’s "Desert Places" explores internal struggles and feelings of alienation that accompany the individual's navigation of modern life’s uncertainties. By examining loneliness and existential fears, Frost demonstrates how modern individuals seek to understand their place in a rapidly changing world. His work exemplifies an effort to make sense of personal challenges through poetic reflection, resonating with many who feel overwhelmed by modern existential dilemmas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these literary works exemplify diverse ways artists and writers engage with the modern world’s complex realities. Whether through celebrating urban resilience, confronting racial inequality, or exploring personal alienation, each work demonstrates an active effort to interpret, understand, and respond to societal and existential challenges. Literature thus functions as a vital conduit for making sense of the modern condition, fostering awareness, resilience, and hope in an ever-evolving world.
References
Sandburg, C. (1917). Chicago. Poetry Foundation.
Hughes, L. (1927). I, Too. Poetry Foundation.
Frost, R. (1935). Desert Places. Poetry Foundation.
Long Day’s Journey Into Night. Britannica.
Cather, W. (1935). Neighbor Rosicky. Britannica.
Hughes, L. (2021). Biography. Britannica.
O’Neill, E. (2020). Long Day’s Journey Into Night. Britannica.
Sandburg, C. (1918). Grass. Britannica.