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Ode To Dirt By Sharon Olds Analysis

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In the poem "Ode to Dirt" by Sharon Olds, the speakers complex attitude toward dirt evolves from one of disgust to one of admiration and even approval. Olds uses a variety of word choices and figurative language to convey this growth.At the beginning of the poem, the speaker describes dirt as "mud / and dust / and dirt / clods / that stick to your shoes." The use of these simple, plain words conveys a sense of disgust and disrespect for dirt. The speaker goes on to describe how, as a child, they were forced to clean the dirt off their shoes and wash their hands "as if God / and the germs would be angry with us." This helps the idea that dirt is something to be avoided and feared.However, as the poem progresses, the speaker's attitude begins
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