Children in the Darkness
There are children in the darkness
Who have not seen the light
There are children in the darkness
Who someone will teach to fight
Chalk and blackboards will not be
To this door there is no key
From this life they can not flee
And these children are not free
Could we simply light a candle
Could we give them half a chance
Could we teach them how to read
Could we teach them how to dance
Or will a war consume them
Their body and their soul
Will their life and blood be poured
Down some endless thirsty hole
Back into the darkness
From which there is no flight
Back into the darkness
Into which there shines no light
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Poetry analysis: Children of darkness @ 11:47 AM
Point of view:
This poem was written by the poet, in anger as he could not believe what war had done to the children. He was annoyed at the atrocities of war and how it affects innocent lives such as the children who do not have a say in their future as they are being forced to go to war. He does not really vent his frustration in the poem but writes it in a pretty sarcastic way. In my opinion, the author's main purpose of writing the poem is to convey an anti-war message to the public. He wants to show that the children should not be conscripted to go to war at such a young age. The repetition of "Could we" in the third stanza shows the simple things in life that normal kids do while the children fighting for war are selfishly deprived of. There is a strong usage of the word "darkness" to convey a sense of gloominess in the children's lives, also to show that each day they are filled with "fear", that they will be killed any moment on the battlefield.
Situation and Setting:
The nature of this poem's conflict is emotional. It happens on the battlefield and the poet is using literary devices to make us seem to pity the children. By stating in the first stanza that "To this door there is no key", he is saying that to these children, cannot escape from war. He tells us that once they are in it, they cannot back out. He also uses personification for war, saying that it can "consume" people. This indicates how easy people lose their lives in war. Also, in stanza 3 he uses repetition to emphasize the fact that how the children cannot do the things that other "normal" children can. The theme of anti-war is conveyed through the strong use of imagery. As war usually affects the whole world, the theme is universal in its application.He also uses the metaphor of "endless thirsty hole" to represent war as a period of great carnage, that war brings about a lot of damage and suffering.
The nature of this poem's conflict is emotional. It happens on the battlefield and the poet is using literary devices to make us seem to pity the children. By stating in the first stanza that "To this door there is no key", he is saying that to these children, cannot escape from war. He tells us that once they are in it, they cannot back out. He also uses personification for war, saying that it can "consume" people. This indicates how easy people lose their lives in war. Also, in stanza 3 he uses repetition to emphasize the fact that how the children cannot do the things that other "normal" children can. The theme of anti-war is conveyed through the strong use of imagery. As war usually affects the whole world, the theme is universal in its application.He also uses the metaphor of "endless thirsty hole" to represent war as a period of great carnage, that war brings about a lot of damage and suffering.
Language/ Diction:
Much figurative language is used in the poem. The word order is straightforward and there is not much experimentation with the language. Repetition is used in the third stanza on the words "could we" to amplify and focus on the many things that kids have no chance to do because of their forced commitment to war, that although they yearn to do it, war has caused their childhood to be destroyed. The horrors of war has been imprinted in their minds. Through the fourth stanza, the poet uses metaphors to show how their lives are at risk and that they would only die on the battlefield. No where else. His use of language has aided him in conveying his anti-war message as the atrocities of war is more highlighted, and the ugly reality of destroying innocent lives' futures. Also, repetition of much words have caused the reader to feel a sense of pity for the children, achieving the Bechtold's aims of letting us be anti-war.
Much figurative language is used in the poem. The word order is straightforward and there is not much experimentation with the language. Repetition is used in the third stanza on the words "could we" to amplify and focus on the many things that kids have no chance to do because of their forced commitment to war, that although they yearn to do it, war has caused their childhood to be destroyed. The horrors of war has been imprinted in their minds. Through the fourth stanza, the poet uses metaphors to show how their lives are at risk and that they would only die on the battlefield. No where else. His use of language has aided him in conveying his anti-war message as the atrocities of war is more highlighted, and the ugly reality of destroying innocent lives' futures. Also, repetition of much words have caused the reader to feel a sense of pity for the children, achieving the Bechtold's aims of letting us be anti-war.
Personal Response:
After reading this poem, I have become more aware of why war should be avoided as much as possible. War is not to be joked around about. I have learned that it is a serious matter, that even children lives are at stake any moment. It has evoked a sense of pity and half-anger for the sad kids forced to fight in war. Sad at the sight of their miserable lives and angry because of the unjust they suffer. I feel that we should be thankful that we do not have to suffer what these children are going through now. I have learned to appreciated what I have around me now, that there are many other children out there who do not have the privilege like us. This poem has conveyed his message of anti-war to me successfully and I enjoyed reading his poem, especially the heavy (though not excessive) use of figurative language, eg. metaphors, imagery etc. This poem is like any other anti-war poems, but the mention of "children" in it makes it feel closer to us students, and lets us have a better understanding of the poem.
After reading this poem, I have become more aware of why war should be avoided as much as possible. War is not to be joked around about. I have learned that it is a serious matter, that even children lives are at stake any moment. It has evoked a sense of pity and half-anger for the sad kids forced to fight in war. Sad at the sight of their miserable lives and angry because of the unjust they suffer. I feel that we should be thankful that we do not have to suffer what these children are going through now. I have learned to appreciated what I have around me now, that there are many other children out there who do not have the privilege like us. This poem has conveyed his message of anti-war to me successfully and I enjoyed reading his poem, especially the heavy (though not excessive) use of figurative language, eg. metaphors, imagery etc. This poem is like any other anti-war poems, but the mention of "children" in it makes it feel closer to us students, and lets us have a better understanding of the poem.
LA E-Learning - 25/4/10 @ 11:05 AM
Difficulty Rating: *
Henry M Bechtold
Task 1:
Based on your understanding of the selected poem, perform extensive web research and write a report on your blog detailing the conflict represented in the poem(s) of your choice. Bear in mind that this piece of background information will allow your blog audience to further understand the poem as well as your analysis of the poem in Task 2.Be sure to include your references and credit your sources.
Based on your understanding of the selected poem, perform extensive web research and write a report on your blog detailing the conflict represented in the poem(s) of your choice. Bear in mind that this piece of background information will allow your blog audience to further understand the poem as well as your analysis of the poem in Task 2.Be sure to include your references and credit your sources.
This poem is probably very recent, thus not much of analysis could be found on the internet. However, based on my research, this poem was written by Henry M Bechtold when he was sitting in his hotel room in Saigon just before Christmas 2009, trying to write a poem about the girls who work in the park and how badly men treat them. He was angry but was unable to write anything that did not sound trite or weak. He looked at the TV and the news was on. He did not know what the news reader was saying but in the background was a photo of a small boy with a helmet and an automatic rifle. This poem just flowed out. The words just came to him instantaneously and he typed as fast as he could in order to get it all down.
I feel that this poem is trying to show the conflict between what the poet thinks what "normal children" are supposed to do, in contrast to those children who are forced to fight in the war , which are not what they are supposed to do. It shows that how we children are supposed to be learning and studying at this age, but however some are being forced to fight even though they are at a tender age of 10. They have to learn how to use a gun at combat, how to defend themselves, but in reality, they should be studying and enjoying their childhood. As seen from the poem, they will not be able to free themselves from this situation, as long as they are in the military. The only way for them to "escape" from this is to be "consumed by the war", which is to die in the battlefield. Their bodies will perish without anyone noticing, because there are just to many of the same children fighting in the war. If one dies, no one would remember. The future(light) is bleak for them, but still, fleeing is not an option.
Trip to Universal studios Singapore - continued @ 10:25 AM
After going to the universal studios and the RWS, I feel that Singapore has taken another step forwards in making the country more appealing to the tourists. Features such as the Universal Studios are not commonly seen in asia, thus many visitors will flock here to go to the studios.
I feel that this RWS will be a huge boost to Singapore's economy, as well as promoting our country as a "First-class" country in Asia. With the F1 already in Singapore, plus the RWS, tourists will come to Singapore more often. Attractions such as the Zoo or Bird Park may be too old and some tourists might want some fresh features in Singapore. The RWS will fulfill their needs, but more importantly, promote Singapore on a wider scope. The casino will also be a major attraction in Singapore, and it goes without saying that many tourists in Asia might come to Singapore just to try their hands on a couple of rounds at the gambling table.
After visiting the RWS, I feel that it was like a once in a lifetime experience for me. Especially because I went there "invited", not many people were there at that time and I could walk around without the need to shove my way through a crowd. I feel that the 4-D show was probably one of the best, as I could not take any rides as they were mostly still under maintenance.
So to those who have yet gone to the RWS, I urge you to make a spare time with the upcoming June holidays to go there with your parents!
Trip to Universal studios Singapore @ 9:50 AM
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