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Ma Rainey

 The poem I chose to analysis for this week assignment is: Ma Rainey by Sterling A. Brown. The story of Ma Rainey aka Gertrude "Ma" Rainey is fascinating due to being a popular Black woman blues singer in the early 20th century who was not afraid to express her sexuality, her unrefined lyrics and her powerful vocal ability. she was dubbed the "Mother of the blues" recording over 100 songs most notably Ma Rainey's black bottom which was highlighted in the Netflix movie by the same name detailing just one day in the life of Ma Rainey and her band at a recording studio in the 1930's at a time when Black people were only step away from slavery and being opinionated, black, a women and having money was uncommon and could even be punishable.  Sterling A. Brown's poem however showed a different side of Ma Rainey and how the people she loved to perform for we equally excited to be in her presence. he spoke of how people came from near and far, by foot and train ...

White Elephants.

      Ernest Hemingway "Hills like white elephants" opening statement led way to the contrast in the opinions of the couple and the life altering decision they would be making. the American never mentioned by name and the seemingly young lady who was referred to as the girl or Jig giving the impression that she was young and inexperienced, yet was old enough for them to have a sexual relationship which has them arriving at the decision of contemplating if to abort their child or to raise "it" together.  This story has many open-ended questions from the American suggesting more less desiring to terminate the pregnancy not thinking or caring of the repercussions that could arise had the procedure gone wrong and Jig could lose the ability to conceive or even die in the process. he tried to minimize the situation for his advantage to rid of the pregnancy but keep the relationship between himself and the girl. the story takes place at a train station where the couple are...

Story of an hour

           The first thought that comes to mind is IRONY! Kate Chaplin's "Story of an hour" has the ability within the first few sentences make you feel sorry for the freshly widowed woman, filled with unimaginable pain but by the second paragraph when she reveals the joy from being set free from a loveless marriage and feeling of imprisonment I felt happy for her freedom. I completely understand the feeling of finally being free from the shackles of the responsibility to someone other than yourself or your child.  The irony for me is the excitement, the dream, the freedom all swept away in the blink of an eye when Mallard returned unharmed causing her to be free in a different form than she wanted or desired to be freed by death.