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John Ashbery's The Instruction Manual

863 Words4 Pages

Distraction is something everyone has had to deal with in his or her life, some more than others. John Ashbery’s poem “The Instruction Manual” follows the narrative of a man as he is pushed to the deadline of writing an instruction manual. This piece exhibits themes, literary techniques, and other elements that make it Postmodernist. Postmodernism is a broad literary movement that encompasses all kinds of media (art, philosophy, film, literature, etc.). Because Postmodernism encompasses a variety of media, it is not easily defined by one thing but several. Looking at “The Instructional Manual” one can gain a better understanding of what Postmodernism is. Ashbery incorporates various Postmodernist themes into “The Instruction Manual.” The first …show more content…

THe narrator uses color to describe everything he sees in the city. First he mentions the flower girls in beautiful dresses handing out flowers (“Instruction” 13). He then mentions the women selling green and yellow fruit (“Instruction” 14). Next, the narrator talks about the dapper parade leader dressed in deep blue and his wife with American style leather shoes and a colorful shawl (“Instruction” 16-20). Later in the poem, the narrator mentions a pair of young lovers in descriptive detail. The girl has a white dress and her long black hair is blown against her olive skin by the wind (“Instruction” 35). In the last part of the poem the narrator talks about all the different parts of the city and how each one has distinct characteristics. Ashbery does a great job using vivid imagery and description to display a hyperrealistic picture of the narrator’s daydream. Postmodernism often incorporates surrealism; “The Instruction Manual” is no exception to this rule. The imagery makes the reader question whether the narrator is actually in Guadalajara or if he just has a vivid imagination. Many Postmodernist writers, Ashbery included, utilize surrealism in their

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Technology such as T.V., computers, radios, and iPhones are constantly distracting us from thinking for ourselves. I thought Bradbury helped us show the harsh reality of technology and how it sometimes takes away our happiness. It is recognized as an important work because throughout the years, the more technology has evolved, the more people start to lose interest in books. People realize after reading this book that in some ways, Bradbury’s novel is true to this day. My favorite quote from the book is when Granger says to Montag that his grandfather said, “‘Stuff your eyes with wonder,' he said, 'live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds.

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“Fahrenheit 451” and today’s society Although knowledge abandonment only existed in the fictional world of Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”, some signs have recently shown it might have emerged into the physical world. Ray Bradbury, the author of “Fahrenheit 451” has written what he believes to be the turning point in the history of mankind, a place of zero intelligence. For its less intellectual, entertainment seeking, and non-reading people, “Fahrenheit 451” is still a relevant commentary to the present society. The present generation has less intelligence.

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-Ray Bradbury. In Fahrenheit 451 the use of postmodern technology to control society is a clear and consistent theme throughout Fahrenheit 451. Throughout this essay, the use of symbols and motifs like the parlor walls in guys' homes, and the mechanical hound showcase how Fahrenheit 451 promotes the idea that technology brings conformity, and a loss of individuality and culture into our society. The implementation of technology like the parlor walls in guys home showcase guy and Mildred’s obsession over mass entertainment

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Transported into the future, Ray Bradbury paints a picture in the reader’s head of the Happy Life Home, filled with technology to fit everyday needs. A family, mom, dad, and two kids, start to slowly fall apart because of being surrounded with technology. In The Veldt, Bradbury uses multiple examples of author’s craft such as personification and tone or mood to help prove and point out a theme included in his story. His theme contained in the story is, influencing children with so much technology early on can not only stir up violent thoughts but, can also cause breaks between friend and family relationships. The first author’s craft that can prove this theme to be true is personification.

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