Analysis on Stephen Crane's "In the Desert"

Reading and creating poetry is one of my favorite hobbies. During this semester, a poet named Stephen Crane was the subject of the week. I find that poetry is the window to the writer’s soul, so when reading a lot of his passages; I had the opportunity to really seek out who this man was. Stephen Crane is a very dark and truthful poet. What I like about his work, is the sinister and mysterious tones he uses throughout his text. When reading the poem, "In the Desert" I had to read it a few times, to grasp the concept of what Crane was trying to depict. The setting takes place in the desert, which is a symbol of emptiness and eternity. The creature that “Held his heart into his hands” (Famous Poets), devours the organ as he squats and mutilates what belongs to him. 

Deserts symbolize loneliness and emptiness. [1]

Stephen Crane depicts the heart as self, and when asked “Is it good, friend?”(Famous Poets), the creature agrees and continues to consume what is left. The creature represents man, as the heart represents the consciousness of a man. When reading this poem I thought about grade school and how the golden rule was: “Treat others, like how you would be treated”. By disobeying the rule, you demoralize your character with a bitter soul and bitter heart. The creature is found in the desert because he does not have anything. He is emptied in the pit of his own hell and despair, by becoming isolated with himself. As he eats, he responds to the man,“It is bitter-bitter” (Famous Poets), which results in self destruction and misery. He indulges in his gory goulash he states, “But I like it, because it is bitter, and it is my heart” (Famous Poets). By ingesting the bitter fruit he deteriorates himself even more which determines the lack of emotion he truly has.

Reading poetry is very influential and inspires creativity. [2] 

        The beast is so lost within himself and his bitterness that he has no soul to live; he will forever endure the wretched poison of self destruction. His heart is all he has, and when devouring the most important element that will sustain life, he becomes nonexistent. This poem can reflect someone in real life because the more you feed yourself bitter fruit the less likely you are to gain the sweet serendipity that life has in store for you. As I read this poem over and over, it is as if my perception changes more and more. Thinking outside the box, I finally understand the creation of this poem. His approach to life is demented and twisted, which caught me instantly, because it is not about typical sappy love or sex. Stephen Crane does not sugar coat his messages, he gets raw and deep into his text making it so interesting and refreshing.  Through Stephen Crane’s horrific poem, I took it as a self motivation to want to find myself and fight through the pain and suffering of self destruction. People are always going through negative stages in their life, but it is up to them to save themselves from the bitter heartache.

Sexist in Texas ??!

Molly Ivins' short story of Texas Women: True Grit and All the Rest, really depict the ridiculous sexist antics in Texas. What she also displays is the typical judgment that is presumed by society of what a women's role in life should be. I find her story to be inspiring and true. Women like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton paved the way for women to have equal rights and opportunities as men, but still receive the shorter end of the stick in today's world. Molly states, "It is my belief that it is virulence of Texas sexism that accounts for the strength of Texas women” (Ivins 699). She explains the outrageous struggles women experience throughout Texas just trying to be accepted by its sexist society.  After reading her story, I was very appalled and displeased that I am living in such a chauvinistic state.

Women should be allowed to speak their mind, and get enough respect as men.[1]

I am so infuriated that women are still in a battle to win society over in approval. The media portrays women by being self absorbed, weak bimbos that lack education and is only good for house duties, nurturing, and sex. It is even bad enough to the point where other women belittle other women. “It’s your basic, familiar virgin/whore dichotomy---either your “Good-Hearted Woman” or “Your Cheatin’ Heart…”(Ivins 699) the author remarks as she displays the typical judgmental accusations of the lifestyle of a woman.  It seems so impossible that a woman can live a happy successful life without someone talking crap or feel intimidated by her just because of her gender.  

One of the fliers the Texas Civil Justice League created. [2]

Recently in May, the Texas Civil Justice League released a sexist flier of a child being breast fed by condemning a “nanny state” that was created for an insurance related bill. According to a political article by Karen Brooks, Democratic Representative Senfronia Thompson of Houston fired back in response to the fliers by stating, "If they (the creators of the fliers) were here, I'd probably bloody their nose right here on this floor, I guarantee it"(Brooks). The statement Representative Thompson made was very agile and assertive and I loved every bit of her speech. I enjoyed it because you typically do not hear such riveting language from a reserved woman of politics. Representative Thompson stands up for what she believes in, and she shows the public that she is not afraid to show what she is made of.

Video of Representative Sonfronia Thompson's inspirational speech.[3]

Female Inequalities Within the Workplace

   When reading Barbara Kingsolver's short story, "Why I Am a Danger to the Public," I find that her message on sexism is very strong and inspiring. It allowed me to view the cruel inequalities of the workplace through the character of Vicki Morales'. Vicki physically does not look strong, but deep inside she is tough and does not take bull from anyone. The one statement that stayed in my head when reading this story is when Vicki states "I was not going to support my kids in no little short skirt down at the Frosty King," (Kingsolver 397). She depicts on how society views women and the sexist assumptions that supports the degradation of females.
   What I find so rousing about Vicki Morales is that she is a freedom fighter. She explains to her children, "All I ever done was defend my union,"(Kingsolver 401). She wants her children to know that she is fighting for something she has a passion for. Other than her children, the union is all she has. Vicki must fight in the pursuit for equality in the workplace that has predominately male workers.

 Women are constantly battling for equal rights with men.[1]

   Barbara Kingsolver's story is a prime example of gender inequality that continues to sweep the nation today. It annoys me that in the 21st century, equal rights for women are still an issue. According to Psych Central, "The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites women working 41 to 44 hours per week earn 84.6% of what men working similar hours earn,"(Gender Discrimination). The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was specifically designed to abolish the discrepancy of unequal pay due to sex. The fact that a woman can be equally qualified for a position as much as a man but still gets a lower salary is ridiculous. If they are both doing the same job and working the same hours I find it baffling as to why that law is overlooked. Women are still paid at a lower rate and it is not fair.

Women should be entitled to bring just as much bacon home as men.[2] 

     Within an article on Cliffsnotes, "Traditionally, the female stereotypical role is to marry and have children,"(Gender Stereotypes). Society and the media like to portray women as housewives that cook and clean that have fragile sympathetic souls. But I refuse to think that that is all I am entitled to be in my life. Susan B. Anthony once quoted, “It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.... Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less,” (Quotations). I applaud women that break down those stereotypical barriers and are a positive influence to others that strive to break through the glass ceiling and become a success story. Women can do just about anything a man can, but society has yet to admit to it. It has taken years for women in the past to pave ways for the modern woman, but it still is not enough to highlight the true capabilities of a woman.  

The Legend of the Butterfly

  Butterflies are sought to be a symbol of celebrating new life, beauty, and transformation. These stunning creatures are found in many Native American myths. One myth that I decided to blog about is from the Papago tribe that explains how butterflies came about.

  The legend is that when the Creator made the new world he began to examine the things around him. He noticed the children playing and admired at their innocence and youthful spirits. Not only did the Creator admire the happy children and the blue skies, "he saw the beauty of their surroundings and the fresh fragrance of the trees and the flowers" (Native American Legends). As the Creator noticed the different aspects of beauty that enclosed the village, he started to become upset.
   He started to think at how the children will get old and tired and how "those wonderful flowers--yellow and blue, red and purple--will fade"(Butterflies). The Creator wanted to do something about this, so "the Creator took out his bag and started gathering things: a spot of sunlight, and handful of blue from the sky, the whiteness from the cornmeal, and the shadow of playing children, the blackness of a beautiful girl's hair, the yellow if the falling leaves, the green of the pine needles, the red, purple, and orange of the flowers around him"(Indian Butterfly Legends).

"Little Butterfly" By Karen Noles

    The Creator added one last ingredient to his bag, and that was the songs of the birds. He then approached the children that were running around and playing and announced that he had a gift for them. The children grew excited as the Creator sat the bag down, and he watched as they opened it to see what was inside. The butterflies flew out of the bag singing joyous songs as the children danced around and admired the beautiful creatures.

    The children laughed and smiled as a songbird flew from the sky and rested on the Creator's shoulder saying, "It's not right to give our songs to these new pretty things. You told us when you made us that every bird would have his own song. And now you've passed them all around. Isn't it enough that you gave your new playthings the colors of the rainbow?"(Indian Butterfly Legends).

The Creator agreed with the bird and took the songs out of the butterflies and made them silent. Even though butterflies do not sing beautiful tunes like birds, they are still remarkably gorgeous.

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"Butterfly Rainbow" by David Penfound

    I found this story to be very interesting and inspirational. Butterflies are one of my favorite insects, and this story reminds me of what our purpose is on this Earth. Not only are these insects beautiful and attractive, but they remind me of transition. Like humans, butterflies morph into becoming more independent and sovereign. People grow everyday to better enhance themselves to get to their next accomplishment. Starting a new chapter in life is very challenging, but adventurous as well.
     Even if a person has been going through the toughest times in life, they have the ability to take control by finding the inner strength and courage to make life better. The feeling of a fresh new beginning instills a powerful independence that can benefit anyone for a lifetime. The Papago tribe celebrates the butterfly because it represents having a free spirit that does not create a barrier between your fears and what life has in store for you.