Tableau Theme

The poems “Tableau” by Countee Cullen and “Now and Then America” by Pat Mora display a common theme of following one’s own unique path. A person should not allow society and its standards to influence one’s individual beliefs. Figurative language, diction, and the poem’s structure are used to to demonstrate the theme of following one’s unique path. The poem “Tableau” uses figurative language through the use of simile “Now and Then America” uses figurative language through the form of personification. In “Tableau”, Cullen writes “That lightning brilliant as a sword/ Should blaze through the path of thunder” (819, 11-12). WIth this simile, thunder represents and lightning represents the boys. Society is judging the actions of the boys with

In “Tableau”, the poet uses phases such as “The stable Pride of night” (819, 4) and “blaze the path” (819, 12) to demonstrate this theme. This word choice is important because it displays how the boys are proud for what they are doing. They are breaking society's standards are creating a new path, a new outlook on life. The phrases “Grant me a little life” (576, 20) and “Risk my difference” (576, 19) are used by Mora in “Now and Then America” to display the theme. This diction portrays how the poet wants to follow her own path in life. Mora views society as overpowering and doesn’t feel free to be herself. She believes not to worry about being different of how people will judge

In “Tableau”, the writer sets up a contrast between the judgemental, non-accepting society and the prideful boys. “ The golden splendor of the day/ The stable pride by night.” (Cullen, 819, 3-4). These lines show that the boys are positive and proud of this new path they are taking. Cullen writes “ From lowered blinds the dark folk stare” (819, 5) to display the negativity towards the boys from society. This contrast shows how the boys decided to take their own path in life and not fall into society’s ways. “Now and Then America” uses a contrast between American and Hispanic culture to create the theme. The speaker of the poem is of a hispanic woman that is living in America. Mora describes America’s culture and depressing and lifeless, mainly when it comes to burials. In her culture, they celebrate the deaths of people and the great lives they lived. This contrast displays how she creating her own path in America and deviating from society’s traditional ways. She wants to be buried in a place of life rather than a place of