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]