First and Last Name
Class
Date
Poem Analysis
Dot Mylles
Style
The poet used aesthetic and purposeful standard sign language for ease of passing her message. Dot used metaphor and images in the form of sign language that facilitates an understanding of her poetry work (Christie, Karen & Dorothy 5). Moreover, Dot has managed to rhyme and alliteration to portray her subject in the intended context effectively.
Theme
The poet focused on the theme of empowering minority groups who might be facing disenfranchising by the majority culture in America (Christie et al. 11). Dot composed her poems influenced by the deaf condition to actively echo the less privileged minority’s plight in American society.
Clayton Valli
Style
The style in poems composed by Clayton applied hand-shape, space, repetition, movement, and facial expression to deliver simultaneous narrations poems. Clayton was a prolific deaf linguist who explored metaphor in sign language to compose his poem that became a success in highlighting the role of American Sign Language (ASL) in the literature (Rachel 2). In the poem, ‘Hands” by Clayton, he utilized the unrestrained hand-shape that depicts the poem’s theme. Clayton exemplarily organized natural images into space that had similarities to a painting on a canvas. Rachel (9) posits that hands exhibit freedom of nature, presenting both seasons and fullness of expression. Clayton’s style stood in terms of style that allowed for his poem’s graceful fluency considering facial expressions and use of space.
Theme
The main theme that is discussed throughout Clayton’s poems repression of individuals due to natural disadvantages such as deaf; therefore, Clayton touches on the issue in his poem, “Dandelion,” where he finds a standing ovation for bringing a discussion over the dangers of suppressing less advantaged individual in the community (Rachel 16).
Debbie Rennie
Style
Debbie uses a style of signing that explores larger hand-shape and rhythm that illustrate entire poetic utterance in a more different context and feel dissimilar to standard signing. Moreover, Debbie used hand-shape and manipulation of configured gestures that indicate themes of resistance, affirmation, and liberation of the deaf language (Jim 5). The fluency of “Black Hole” by Debbie has been achieved through repetition of rhythm in movements and hand-shapes that accompany the face’s expression during performances.
Theme
Debbie has focused on themes such as resistance from deaf language culture against the standard language culture majorly accepted in America (Jim 16). He created affirmation to use sign language in literature and the authenticated liberation of the deaf to use sign language to pass information despite common culture. Debbie was born deaf and has composed poems that touch on the condition of the deaf.
The three poets possess similar condition of the deaf; therefore, their poems are intriguing in revealing the plight of ASL in literature, not only in America but also globally.
Works Cited
Christie, Karen, and Dorothy Wilkins. “Themes and symbols in ASL poetry: Resistance, affirmation, and liberation.” (2007): 1-26. Retrieved from: https://scholarworks.rit.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2003&context=article
Rachel Sutton-Spence. What is Sign Language Poetry? European Cultural Heritage Online. (2003): 1-28. Retrieved from: http://sign-lang.ruhosting.nl/echo/docs/SL_poetry.pdf
Jim Cohn. National Deaf Poetry Conference. (1987): 1-17. Retrieved from: http://www.poetspath.com/NDPC%20 (Jim%20Cohn).pdf