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Ballad Of Birmingham Analysis

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Being able to dissect the effects of violence on earth is crucial. There are many elements surrounding what occurs in our everyday lives. The poem, “Ballad of Birmingham”, by Dudley Randall, is based on the bombing of a church in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963. Additionally, the speech, “Oklahoma bombing Memorial Prayer Service Address”, given by Bill Clinton, was given after the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. While both of the texts express themes of innocence and violence, they differentiate in their specific purpose through the poem highlighting themes of a mother’s protection and the speech expressing themes of overcoming evil. The world is imperfect, therefore allowing violence to come upon the innocent. Most people would say that a person …show more content…

In the poem, “Ballad of Birmingham”, the poet really touches on the theme of a mother’s protection over her children. Most mothers carry a relationship with their children. A main part of this relationship is the mother establishing her protection over her own children. Although, many kids may not understand why their mother strives to protect them so much the mother knows very well why she does. In the poem the poet is able to illustrate a mother’s protection over her daughter. This is shown in the following excerpt, “Mother dear, may I go downtown / Instead of out to play, / And march…/ In a Freedom March today? / No, baby, no you may not go, / For the dogs are fierce and wild, / And the clubs and hoses, guns and jails / Aren’t good for a little child.” This clearly shows how the mother seeks for her child to be safe. Even if her daughter is confused about why she may not go, the mother is very aware of the danger her daughter could encounter. Overall, emphasizing the theme of a mother’s protection over her children. In contrary, the speech, “Ballad of Birmingham”, has the specific theme of being able to overcome the fear of evil. Evil will always find a place to spoil on earth. Therefore, it is important to know when to stop being afraid of evil. In the speech, the speaker greatly emphasizes on the theme of America needing to overcome its

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In the poem “Ballad of Birmingham’’ written by Dudley Randal, some fellow peers might disagree with his ways of figurative captivation that he uses about the tragic events displayed to his audience, but believe it or not, there might be a few reasons behind this occurrence- and why it may have surpassed us all. First and foremost, the author took advantage of the heartbreaker and tear-jolter of literature known as Pathos. Pathos is the element of persuasion that was used to make his readers understand the mother’s pain and placement of losing an innocent child; your innocent child.

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