Changing Society
Through Unexpected Ways
Langston Hughes, Richard Hague, and
Gary Gildner all seem to understand the concept as well as illustrate a variety
of examples on how to improve society through unexpected ways. Gildner seems to
portray guidance through a stern coach, Hughes’ character teaches a life lesson
in an unexpected situation and Hague presents an argument on how to leave a
legacy beyond the SATs. Each of these authors use a somewhat subversive message
in illustrating their works that seems to provide guidance to improve society
but each author allocates particular subject matter that must be looked at
deeper in order to understand their message.
Hughes’
short story seems to originally be about an ordinary tale of theft from an old
woman. However, through a plot twist-when Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones
decides to bring him home his thief to wash him up rather then have him
apprehended it seems that there is more to the story than a burglary. In a
normal situation one would think that this woman, who was the victim of an
almost burglary, would have anger towards the boy for doing it but it seems she
only had pity towards him. She realized that she should bestow her knowledge
rather than chastising him. She gave relatable advice to the young boy who
seemingly had no other options in his situation. She imparted her knowledge on
this young child and it seemed to be effective as he left with a mind so full
he couldn’t manage to think of a proper thank you. Therefore, instead of Mrs.
Bates calling the police, as a normal response would be, she took an
opportunity to enrich a child with a life lesson rather than incarcerate him.
She looked at the situation with a different perspective on how to better this
situation rather then taking an ignorant approach.
Similarly,
Hague approaches a situation, taking the SAT’s with an innovative touch. He
suggests that these tests which society places such an emphasis on provide
nothing for society. He goes on to insult the teachings of science, history and
grammar. And although it doesn’t seem apparent, Hague appears to insinuate you
can make an impact despite what you get on a measly test. He reassures,
throughout the poem, that success can be attributed to a wide variety of things
aside from the SATs. He tells readers to aspire for more and live entirely
rather than enamor yourself with nerves over how you did over a test. It
apparently seems that he is saying you cannot judge your character on your
grades but rather what kind of impact you leave behind in life that makes you a
great person-whether or not you did well on your SATs. Hague’s poem seems to
have a subversive message to follow your own passion rather than be confined to
what is expected of you. This advice, unexpectedly, is all rooted in why you
should resist the SATs. He takes a commonality that most people share, having
to take this dreadful test, and tries to proves and insinuate that life goes on
if you don’t get a perfect score.
Gildner’s
approach to improving society is slightly different then the ways of Hughes and
Hague. First, it is somewhat difficult to decipher whether or not this poem is
about a military sergeant or a sport’s practice. Interestingly enough I believe
there is a bigger importance then the whereabouts of the poem- the subversive message.
The leader, Clifford Hill, may seem to be harsh and aggressive but ultimately
he is preparing this class of children for strength and the opposition of the
real world. Unlike Hague and Hughes whose poems seem to offer advice, Gildner’s
narrator is subject to a demand to gain endurance and strength. And although in
real life there is none giving you instructions on what to do or how to live,
but we are all given different guiders in life, whether it be a coach, a
sergeant, or a parents, who give us advice on how we should act and it is up to
yourself to make this society better.
Through
meditation, I mostly connected with Gildner’s approach. I recognize that Hague
and Hughes had good motives in their works by giving advice but it seems that
Gildner, for me personally, helped me understand that I am capable of
independence, strength, and excellence but no matter what people instruct me to
do I am the only one that will make it happen. I reflected deeply on this
matter, and it frightened me at the mere thought, that it was wholly up to me
to be the person I wanted to be. However, after the conclusion of meditation I
realized that is inspiring. I can take advice, such as that learned in Hague
and Hughes works and apply it to my life just as Gildner seems to have done. Overall,
it seems that these poems do share the common theme of changing lives through
various aspects as well as learning to succeed in ways you normally wouldn’t
think.
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