Rules of Engagement: 1 - You must ADD ON to discussion. Do not repeat either what was said in class OR what someone else already posted about the poem you are discussing. 2 - Please indicate WHICH QUESTION you are answering in your response. 3 - Answer only ONE question. 4 - Make sure you answer ALL parts of that question--i.e. If it asks you to identify a poetic device like alliteration and connect to meaning, make sure you connect to meaning. :)
"American Classic" (p.28)
1. Explain the significance of the title.
2. How does the use of punctuation in the poem contribute to its meaning? Provide specific examples.
3. What does this poem say about American society? Provide specific support for your answer.
In the Poem "American Classic," by Louis Simpson, it suggests that American society today is relatively lazy. We can infer that this is true because it says " a car stopped off the road and a man trying to repair it the woman who stays in the car in the classic American scene stares back at the freeway traffic." This suggests that regardless of the persons gender or race, only one person goes to help the car stopped in the middle of the freeway while there are multiple witness to the scene. People who spectate can learn a valuable lesson like the woman in the Poem. " they look surprised, and ashamed to be so helpless… let down in the middle of the road! To think that their car would do this! ". This quote supports my claim towards people that spectate because it's ironic that the woman thought it couldn't happen to a car. The author uses irony to support this in the last two stanzas. He makes it clear that this is in America classic because we are extremely fortunate to have the technologies we have and people take it for granted. " in the fume of carbon monoxide and dust they are not such good Americans as they thought they were. The feeling of being left out through no fault of their own, is common."
The American Classic by Louis Simpson uses the title of his poem to push the theme across that it is about the the values and customs that the western civilization that is the United States Of America have. Simpson sets the scene in the first paragraph with a man trying to fix his car on the side of the road. Directly after stating that Simpson goes on to say ‘The women who stays in the car in the Classic American scene.’ Simpson isnt talking about the gender roles that American society and other societies put on her Simpson is talking about the double standard that in situations like this a man has to go out and figure it out. Men where put into these social roles as well, Simpson is trying to get around to the fact that these roles dont matter anymore and that everyone is equal and no one has a special gift or something holding them down.
American society has integrated gender roles. This form of sexism is not an "American classic" . The man isn't the only one who can work or think for himself. The author is tryin to show the irony in the liberty and freedom of America. Women are trapped in these gender roles just like "the woman who stays in the car". The author points out that not only if your a women but anything different from the "American classic" will sense a feeling of being "left out".
"American classic" by Louis Simpson shows us what American Society is like today. Random couple was on their way somewhere and suddenly their car breaks down, it's not common so most of the time people are not prepared for that situation. So now they are stuck there and either are at the mercy of other people or have to pay a lot of money for towing services. No one stops to help them. This shows how individualistic America has become, if someone is in need of help and you don't benefit in any way but just end up setting yourself back, there is no reason to get involved. This one of many situations that display this ideology in which does who are struggling are "left out". Gleb Istlentyev
The significance of the title is that it refers to a commonly known incident that happens to most people. Their car breaks down and as they wait the notice the passing of time. The continuous pauses in the punctuation gives it a tone of realization. As the poem progresses they notice more happening. This poem suggests that Americans are in someways let down in the least expected ways. "And the robber goes skulking back to the trees. That's how it is with the car..." -Ashlyn Collins
The poem titled “American Classic” written by, Louis Simpson, has a strong importance before the poem even begins, in the title. In American culture we have repetitive entertainment, style, brands, cars and a basic timeline that most follow. The basic series of events in American society is, getting an education, falling inlove, getting married and then raising kids. This cycle is what Americans are used to, so in entertainment such as film and TV shows, you will see a drama that follows this cycle. The poem suggests that this is a classic scene in a movie. It follows the gender roles of ‘The woman who stays in car’ and ‘A man trying to repair it’. In American society these gender roles are commonly followed, proving why this can be sought out as an American Classic scene. But towards the end the author shows what typical feeling this can also be provoking. In a country of money and business nonstop, the feeling of being left out is typical for Americans who aren’t at the top of their occupational “food chain” quite yet. It’s not far out to feel left out in American society, possibly why this scene is used to much for our entertainment. Rather it's for relatable purposes.
In the Poem "American Classic," by Louis Simpson, it suggests that American society today is relatively lazy. We can infer that this is true because it says " a car stopped off the road and a man trying to repair it the woman who stays in the car in the classic American scene stares back at the freeway traffic." This suggests that regardless of the persons gender or race, only one person goes to help the car stopped in the middle of the freeway while there are multiple witness to the scene. People who spectate can learn a valuable lesson like the woman in the Poem. " they look surprised, and ashamed to be so helpless… let down in the middle of the road! To think that their car would do this! ". This quote supports my claim towards people that spectate because it's ironic that the woman thought it couldn't happen to a car. The author uses irony to support this in the last two stanzas. He makes it clear that this is in America classic because we are extremely fortunate to have the technologies we have and people take it for granted. " in the fume of carbon monoxide and dust they are not such good Americans as they thought they were. The feeling of being left out through no fault of their own, is common."
ReplyDeleteThe American Classic by Louis Simpson uses the title of his poem to push the theme across that it is about the the values and customs that the western civilization that is the United States Of America have. Simpson sets the scene in the first paragraph with a man trying to fix his car on the side of the road. Directly after stating that Simpson goes on to say ‘The women who stays in the car in the Classic American scene.’ Simpson isnt talking about the gender roles that American society and other societies put on her Simpson is talking about the double standard that in situations like this a man has to go out and figure it out. Men where put into these social roles as well, Simpson is trying to get around to the fact that these roles dont matter anymore and that everyone is equal and no one has a special gift or something holding them down.
ReplyDeletefrom Holden Hudson
American society has integrated gender roles. This form of sexism is not an "American classic" . The man isn't the only one who can work or think for himself. The author is tryin to show the irony in the liberty and freedom of America. Women are trapped in these gender roles just like "the woman who stays in the car". The author points out that not only if your a women but anything different from the "American classic" will sense a feeling of being "left out".
ReplyDelete"American classic" by Louis Simpson shows us what American Society is like today. Random couple was on their way somewhere and suddenly their car breaks down, it's not common so most of the time people are not prepared for that situation. So now they are stuck there and either are at the mercy of other people or have to pay a lot of money for towing services. No one stops to help them. This shows how individualistic America has become, if someone is in need of help and you don't benefit in any way but just end up setting yourself back, there is no reason to get involved. This one of many situations that display this ideology in which does who are struggling are "left out".
ReplyDeleteGleb Istlentyev
The significance of the title is that it refers to a commonly known incident that happens to most people. Their car breaks down and as they wait the notice the passing of time. The continuous pauses in the punctuation gives it a tone of realization. As the poem progresses they notice more happening. This poem suggests that Americans are in someways let down in the least expected ways. "And the robber goes skulking back to the trees. That's how it is with the car..." -Ashlyn Collins
ReplyDeleteThe poem titled “American Classic” written by, Louis Simpson, has a strong importance before the poem even begins, in the title. In American culture we have repetitive entertainment, style, brands, cars and a basic timeline that most follow. The basic series of events in American society is, getting an education, falling inlove, getting married and then raising kids. This cycle is what Americans are used to, so in entertainment such as film and TV shows, you will see a drama that follows this cycle. The poem suggests that this is a classic scene in a movie. It follows the gender roles of ‘The woman who stays in car’ and ‘A man trying to repair it’. In American society these gender roles are commonly followed, proving why this can be sought out as an American Classic scene. But towards the end the author shows what typical feeling this can also be provoking. In a country of money and business nonstop, the feeling of being left out is typical for Americans who aren’t at the top of their occupational “food chain” quite yet. It’s not far out to feel left out in American society, possibly why this scene is used to much for our entertainment. Rather it's for relatable purposes.
ReplyDeletethis poem is too lomg
ReplyDelete