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Shapiro's "Auto Wreck": Interpretation - Papers Online

Shapiro's "Auto Wreck": Interpretation



Philosophers have pondered the meaning of life and death since the
beginning of time. There are many hypotheses. From reincarnation to
Valhalla -- then on to heaven. There have been many proposed solutions.
Yet no one fully understands dea th. In Shapiro's poem "Auto Wreck," he
illustrates the irrationality of life for it can be taken away at any given
time for no rational reason.

Shapiro uses metaphors to emphasize the fantasy-like and wild
setting of the auto wreck. The following is an excerpt taken from "Auto
Wreck":

"And down the dark one ruby flare
Pulsing out red light like an artery."

This statement contrasts the red light emitted from an ambulance ...

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ant and almost unreal. Using metaphors, Shapiro
portrays the fantasy-like auto wreck in which wildness is indispensable.

In addition to Shapiro's use of metaphorical phrases, he emphasizes
the lack of comprehension of the on-lookers as a result of death's
inconsistency with logic. Shapiro directly tells the reader, "We are
deranged." The word "we" symbolizes u s, as a whole institution or better
yet -- society. He goes on further to say, "Our throats were tight as
tourniquets." By this he means that the on-lookers were stopped, almost
speechless, as they gazed upon the wreckage contemplating the reason b
ehind death. Finally, Shapiro writes:

"We speak through sickly smiles and warn
With the stubborn saw of common sense."

What the writer is getting through is that the on-lookers attempted to
rationalize the accident with their common sense. But their "common sense,"
or their logical reasoning ability, was being sawed upon as they continued
to puzzle ...

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Shapiro's "Auto Wreck": Interpretation. (2004, June 15). Retrieved March 28, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Shapiros-Auto-Wreck-Interpretation/9537
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"Shapiro's "Auto Wreck": Interpretation." Essayworld.com. June 15, 2004. Accessed March 28, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Shapiros-Auto-Wreck-Interpretation/9537.
"Shapiro's "Auto Wreck": Interpretation." Essayworld.com. June 15, 2004. Accessed March 28, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Shapiros-Auto-Wreck-Interpretation/9537.
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PAPER DETAILS
Added: 6/15/2004 11:13:47 PM
Category: Poetry & Poets
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 529
Pages: 2

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