Speaker or Narrator, and Point of View
The poems are mostly narrated in first-person perspective by John Lee Clark.
Form and Meter
They are written in free verse.
Metaphors and Similes
In "Trees," the metaphor "That turns my heart into a chainsaw" refers to the emotional impact of hurting.
In "Excessive Force," the metaphor "the cold kiss of a gun" alludes to being shot.
Alliteration and Assonance
In "Rebuilding" - "The sod hut he was born in." The repetition of the "o" sound in "sod" and "born" creates assonance.
In "An Honest Man" - "Look good you." The repetition of the "oo" sound in "look" and "good" is an example of assonance.
Irony
In "To Ask," the speaker's former girlfriend initially attempts to learn Braille to connect with him. However, it ends with the narrator's destructive actions tearing the Braille book.
Genre
Narrative Poetry
Setting
The overall setting of the poems is primarily centered around the experiences, perspectives, and narratives of Deaf individuals.
Tone
The poems are reflective, melancholic, nostalgic, affectionate, informative, neutral, lighthearted and humorous.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist is the narrator. The antagonist is the challenges faced by Deaf individuals.
Major Conflict
The major conflict is the tension experienced by Deaf individuals in navigating a predominantly hearing world. While each poem presents its unique situation and themes, a common underlying conflict is the struggle to assert one's Deaf identity and communicate effectively.
Climax
In "It Is Necessary," the climax occurs when the speaker introduces a beautiful girl to their mother.
In "Mrs. Schultz," the climax happens when the speaker receives a penguin from a student.
In "The Politician," the climax is the absurd moment when the politician makes jokes about sign language.
In "Old Deaf Joke," the climax is the punch line of the joke, which is the surprise element in the humorous narrative.
Foreshadowing
In "Goldilocks in Denial," the title itself is a form of foreshadowing as it hints at the humorous twist that will be presented in the reimagined Goldilocks story.
Understatement
"On My Return from a Business Trip" - The speaker repeatedly says to "go away" and "I'm fine" when it is apparent that they are not fine.
Allusions
"Old Deaf Joke" - This poem tells a classic joke that involves characters from Russia, Cuba, and the United States and their humorous actions on a train.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
"The Moonlight" - "The hand of the moon / went to the girl, tapping / her on the shoulder, tapping / to no avail."
The moon's light is personified as a hand that tries to get the girl's attention.
Personification
n/a
Hyperbole
In "Excessive Force" – The line "I don’t want to inhale the sweet night air and explode" is hyperbolic.
Onomatopoeia
n/a
