Lamenting for America
In the poem “America” by Berkeley, the writer expresses the disappointment he has in his nation. The events narrated were written in the year 1956 by Berkeley as exhibits his fury. Pointing out the human war, he blames America for the atomic bombs as well as the machinery of war, which he claims is too heavy on him. More so, he laments throughout the poem, depicting oppression, which, according to him, is brought about by war between Russia and his nation America. The writer also laments about sexual immorality and a high rate of crime evident from a high number of trials for murder. He further points out that there are so many records full of saddening occurrences. The writer expresses his plea to his nation concerning the rights of the underprivileged as well as the violation of workers’ rights by making them overwork. He, in turn, justifies his drunkenness and addiction to marijuana as a way of venting all the pressure laid on him by his nation. He blames America’s human war for multiple problems ranging from murder crimes to poverty, which leads to oppression of the underprivileged as well as erosion of morality.
Imagery is used in the poem to help the reader form mental pictures hence gain a clearer understanding of the events taking place. For instance, the writer points out, “I sit in my house for days on end and stare at the roses in the closet.” It enables the reader to picture the writer sitting in his house with his eyes fixed on the roses in the closet. Another occurrence of imagery arises when Berkeley points out in a state of wonder when he will ever go to the supermarket to buy what he needs with his good looks. With the imagery of “good looks,” the reader readily forms a picture in their mind of what the writer rembles. There occurs an imagery aspect when the writer also alerts America by his expression that the plum blossoms are falling. The writer, therefore, uses imagery to express his feelings of disappointment in America his nation exhaustively.
There is the usage of rhyme to create musical flow while seeking to emphasize his ideas of disappointment. The writer uses the same word at the end of two consecutive lines to further express his heartache. He writes, “Are you going to let your emotional life be run by Time Magazine? /I’m obsessed by Time Magazine”. The repetition of the word “Time Magazine” highlights America’s unceasing series of adverse events which automatically get their way to the printed media. The writer has become used to reading the magazine because it always has news of America’s disappointing activities. Berkeley further uses rhyme within the line of the verse to put weighty emphasis by saying, “Them Russians them Russians and them Chinamen. And them Russians.” He continues to express his complaint against Russia in that Russia is determined to take away America’s fortunes and strip it of its power to conquer it. The repetition, therefore, enables the reader to feel the weight of Russia’s unfair actions against the writer’s nation, America.
The writer is undoubtedly in deep disappointment, repeatedly lamenting about his nation’s sequence of insensitive actions. The actions, in turn, harm its reputation and also affect him personally even as he sits in depression. His complaint revolves around the nation’s neglect of its citizens’ welfare. The effects of engaging in the war caused chaos and havoc as the two warring countries tagged, hence Russia sought to take over America’s resources. Taking over resources that belong to Americans leaves citizens robbed of their expected fruit of wealth as when a blossom falls. The writer criticizes the issue of superiority complex and immorality, which America has endowed upon itself. He elaborates that one gains nothing through their good looks, for they cannot replace money when in need of buying from supermarkets. Human war has, therefore, had a ripple effect on America, spreading to infect every aspect of every American’s lifestyle.