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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 3 page paper is an analysis of the theme of the eyes in the poem “Blues Spiritual for Mammy Prater” by Dionne Brand. Bibliography lists 1 source.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_HVPrater.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
who was 115 years old when her photo was taken. This paper is a close reading and analysis of the poem, specifically the theme of Mammys eyes. Discussion Brand uses
the word "eyes" six times in a poem thats only three stanzas long. The emphasis on the word causes us to consider the ideas of seeing, vision, and photography, which
is another way of seeing. The first question that might come to mind is whether or not the photo is an accurate representation of the woman. A photo, no matter
how beautifully done, is only a facsimile of the real person, and in many cases its not a true portrait. For example, we are familiar today with the technique of
airbrushing, which is routinely used on photos so that models, actors and public figures appear to have a flawless appearance. Often the individual in the photo depends on his or
her looks for their career, so the "touch up" is expected. But even an "ordinary" person having their photo taken does not necessarily present themselves the same way they do
in ordinary circumstances. They dress well, arrange their hair and women apply make-up; in other words, the subject of the photo is presenting a fa?ade that represents him at his
best. But Mammy Prater apparently did none of this. Instead, "she waited until the technique of photography was / suitably developed / to make sure the picture would be
clear" (Brand). Mammy is not concerned with presenting herself to the world looking her best, its more important to her that she be portrayed clearly. The implication is that she
wants the viewer to see her as she really was. What is it that Mammy wants a viewer to see? The answer is in the second stanza: "... a thing
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