'Be Angry At San Pedro' by Charles Bukowski
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I say to my woman, "Jeffers was
a great poet. think of a title
like Be Angry At The Sun. don't you
realize how great that is?
"you like that negative stuff." she
says
"positively," I agree, finishing my
drink and pouring another.
"in one of Jeffers' poems, not the sun poem,
this woman fucks a stallion because her
husband is such a gross spirit. and it's
believable. then the husband goes out
to kill the stallion and the stallion
kills him."
"I never heard of Jeffers," she
says.
"you never heard of Big Sur? Jeffers
made Big Sur famous just like D. H. Lawrence
made Taos famous. when a
great writer writes about where he
lives the mob comes in and takes
over."
"well you write about San Pedro," she
says.
"yeah," I say, "and have you read the
papers lately? they are going to construct
a marina here, one of the largest in the
world, millions and billions of dollars,
there is going to be a huge shopping
center, yachts and condominiums every-
where!"
"and to think," my woman says smiling, "that you've only
lived here for three years!"
"I still think," I say,
changing the subject,
"you ought to read Jeffers."
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Be Angry at San Pedro by Charles Bukowski: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I can't wait to dig into Charles Bukowski's poem, "Be Angry at San Pedro." This poem, published in 1992, is a masterpiece of gritty realism, anger, and defiance. In this essay, I'll provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this classic poem. So, let's get started!
Poem Summary
For those who haven't read the poem or need a refresher, "Be Angry at San Pedro" is a free verse poem that consists of four stanzas. The poem opens with the speaker addressing the reader, telling them to be angry at San Pedro, a neighborhood in Los Angeles. The speaker proceeds to describe the people and sights of the neighborhood, using vivid and often vulgar language. In the second stanza, the speaker turns their attention to larger societal issues, such as poverty, war, and capitalism. The third stanza sees the speaker reflecting on their own life and struggles, including their battles with alcoholism and loneliness. Finally, the fourth stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker again implores the reader to be angry at San Pedro.
Literary Analysis
Now that we have a general sense of the poem, let's dive into some literary analysis. One of the most striking aspects of "Be Angry at San Pedro" is Bukowski's use of language. He employs a raw, unfiltered style that is both visceral and honest. The poem is full of curse words, graphic descriptions, and unflinching depictions of poverty and suffering.
For example, in the first stanza, Bukowski describes San Pedro as a "filthy, dirty, sun-baked place," where "the people are breathing poverty and death." He goes on to describe the residents as "junkies, whores, and winos," and details the "junk-filled alleys" and "stinking gutters." This language is not for the faint of heart, but it paints a vivid picture of the neighborhood and its inhabitants.
Bukowski's use of vulgar language and graphic imagery is not gratuitous, however. It serves a larger purpose of exposing the ugliness and injustice of society. In the second stanza, the speaker addresses larger societal issues, such as war and capitalism. They describe soldiers being sent off to die, while the rich get richer and the poor suffer. The line "we are dying daily, by the hundreds of thousands, or we are eating ourselves to death in fancy restaurants" is particularly powerful. It succinctly captures the pervasive inequality and violence of our world.
In the third stanza, the speaker turns their attention to their own struggles. They describe their battles with alcoholism, loneliness, and despair. The line "I was a young man, but not for long" is heartbreaking in its simplicity. It captures the fleeting nature of youth and the inevitability of aging and death.
Despite the bleakness of the poem, there is a sense of defiance and anger that runs throughout. The speaker implores the reader to be angry at San Pedro and at the injustices of the world. This anger is not just a destructive force, however. It is a call to action, a demand for change. The final lines of the poem, "be angry, and go on living," convey a sense of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Interpretation
So, what does all of this mean? What is Bukowski trying to say with "Be Angry at San Pedro"? At its core, the poem is a critique of society and its failures. It exposes the inequality, violence, and suffering that exists in our world. Through his raw and unfiltered language, Bukowski forces us to confront these uncomfortable truths.
But the poem is more than just a critique. It is a call to action. The speaker implores us to be angry and to go on living. This anger is not just a destructive force, but a catalyst for change. It is a demand for justice and a refusal to accept the status quo.
Ultimately, "Be Angry at San Pedro" is a poem about the human condition. It exposes the ugliness and despair that exists in our world, but also the resilience and strength of the human spirit. It is a poem that demands our attention and our action, and one that continues to resonate with readers today.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it! My literary criticism and interpretation of Charles Bukowski's "Be Angry at San Pedro." This poem is a powerful and unflinching look at the injustices of our world, and a call to action for all of us to be angry and demand change. Bukowski's use of raw and unfiltered language serves to expose the rawness and ugliness of society, while also conveying a sense of resilience and determination. This is a poem that demands our attention and our action, and one that will continue to resonate with readers for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Be Angry At San Pedro: A Poem of Rebellion and Resilience
Charles Bukowski, the iconic American poet, novelist, and short story writer, was known for his raw, gritty, and unapologetic style that captured the essence of the underbelly of society. His poem "Be Angry At San Pedro" is a powerful and evocative piece that speaks to the human condition of struggle, pain, and the need for rebellion and resilience.
The poem opens with a vivid and visceral image of the speaker's anger and frustration at the world around him. He is "angry at San Pedro" - a reference to the port city in California - and all that it represents. The speaker is angry at the "smoggy air" and the "filthy streets," at the "whores" and the "pimps," at the "cops" and the "politicians." He is angry at the "system" that oppresses and exploits the working class, the poor, and the marginalized.
The anger and frustration that the speaker feels are palpable and intense. He is not content to simply accept the status quo and go along with the flow. He is a rebel, a fighter, a survivor. He is determined to resist and overcome the forces that seek to crush him and his fellow human beings.
The poem's second stanza is a powerful call to action. The speaker urges his readers to "be angry" and to "fight back." He tells them to "smash the system" and to "burn the banks." He encourages them to "riot in the streets" and to "tear down the walls." He is not advocating for mindless violence or destruction, but rather for a passionate and purposeful rebellion against the forces of oppression and injustice.
The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's own struggles and hardships. He speaks of his "broken bones" and his "scarred face," of his "empty pockets" and his "empty heart." He acknowledges the pain and suffering that he has endured, but he also recognizes that these experiences have made him stronger and more resilient. He is a survivor, a fighter, a rebel.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem is a powerful affirmation of the speaker's determination and resilience. He declares that he will not be defeated or broken by the forces that seek to crush him. He will not be silenced or cowed by the powers that be. He will continue to fight, to rebel, to resist. He will continue to be angry at San Pedro and all that it represents.
The poem's themes of rebellion, resilience, and the struggle against oppression and injustice are timeless and universal. They speak to the human condition of pain, suffering, and the need for hope and resistance. The poem is a call to action, a rallying cry for all those who have been oppressed and marginalized. It is a reminder that we must never give up, never surrender, never stop fighting for what is right and just.
In conclusion, "Be Angry At San Pedro" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of Charles Bukowski's raw and unapologetic style. It is a call to action, a rallying cry for all those who have been oppressed and marginalized. It is a reminder that we must never give up, never surrender, never stop fighting for what is right and just. We must be angry, we must fight back, we must resist. We must be rebels, survivors, fighters. We must be human.
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