preview

Summary Of Junk By Richard Wilbur

Decent Essays
Open Document

Junk By Richard Wilbur The poem “Junk” by Richard Wilbur is a poem about the endless waste we as humans produce. Specifically the waste that has no or very little value other than the sentimental value we place of these items. The poem is narrated by a man who criticizes his neighbors for creating junk; but he believes that this trash has maintained its respect and distinction. It revolves around the importance of garbage and the view the society takes regarding it. Throughout his poem Wilbur conveys his disgust towards the creators of this undistinguished craftsmanship. He compares their willingness to accept a tiny amount of money for their “supposed” priceless pieces to “Bartering pride like the bought boxer.” But even with all the disgust Wilbur feels there seems to be a feeling of renewal by the implications of recycling. Wilbur possibly can be concluding that life overall is cynical and that the oppressed can even regenerate if placed under the right circumstances. …show more content…

Usually the first stressed syllable after the cesura alliterates the first or both stressed syllables before the cesura. Wilbur utilizes the writing techniques of alliteration, allusion and cesuras. A cesura is the creation of a pause between words, usually in the middle of a line in a poem. Most poets use a cesura to create an emotional effect rather than just as punctuation. An example of a cesura in Wilbur’s poem is Haul them off! Hide them! The heart winces For junk and gimcrack, for jerrybuilt things. Wilbur employs the use of caesuras to produce a pause and to emphasize each section of every

Get Access