Thursday, February 14, 2013
Asheli Rivera blog #2 Good Girl
In the poem Good Girl by Kim Addonizio the Good Girl is ironically not as "good" as expected. The poem has a very sarcastic tone to it and almost pokes fun at the idea that the character spoken of could never be a good girl. The paradox between being a good girl versus being someone who is subjectively "bad" creates a bit of ambiguity in whether or not the character sees herself as good or just wishes to be good. The speaker's tone suggests that the character shouldn't be seen as something she isn't, but instead "out with the dogs".
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Asheli, when I read this story as well I caught onto the tone of sarcasim as well. it was easily picked up by the way the speaker was talking to the woman. I think when she refers to the woman as a dog, she is meaning to compare her to a dog because of how she presented herself in her attire of slutty dresses and high heels, and throwing herself at men.
ReplyDeleteRivera blog #2 Good Girl
ReplyDeleteIn the poem Good Girl by Kim Addonizio the Good Girl is ironically not as "good" as expected. The poem has a very sarcastic tone to it and almost pokes fun at the idea that the character spoken of could never be a good girl. The paradox between being a good girl versus being someone who is subjectively "bad" creates a bit of ambiguity in whether or not the character sees herself as good or just wishes to be good. The speaker's tone suggests that the character shouldn't be seen as something she isn't, but instead "out with the dogs".
Asheli,
This is true – “In the poem Good Girl by Kim Addonizio the Good Girl is ironically not as "good" as expected” – but needs a good deal more elaboration. For instance – who’s expecting her to be good? Who’s the girl? What’s the relationship between the narrator and the “good girl”? etc.
“The poem has a very sarcastic tone to it and almost pokes fun at the idea that the character spoken of could never be a good girl.” Not quite sure what you mean here. I agree that the tone is sarcastic, but why could she/will she “never” be one?
“The paradox between being a good girl versus being someone who is subjectively "bad" creates a bit of ambiguity in whether or not the character sees herself as good or just wishes to be good.” Paradox isn’t stated clearly here though I think you’re on the right track. When you use the word “subjectively” you imply that the character is viewing/analyzing herself when the speaker is judging/describing the girl. We can’t at all know what she thinks about herself, only what the speaker thinks about her. I think figuring out the relationship between speaker and character will help.
“The speaker's tone suggests that the character shouldn't be seen as something she isn't, but instead "out with the dogs.” Again, seen by whom? The speaker? Do you mean the speaker thinks the girl should give up the pretense of being “good” since she’s aching to be bad? You’ll want to deal with the “dogs” as the poem makes does quite a bit with them. Is the dog/a dog a metaphor? A symbol?
I hope the questions help you develop. Your analysis is quite short and, while it has possibilities, none of the claims you make are explained, so I’m doing a bit of guessing here. I hope I’m interpreting correctly. ☺
A