Sonnet 24 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares:
Just To Earn The Bread
Devastating goal: To bring megadeath!
So horribly common, doing their job
To mold the future into ugly blob
To destroy the world, just to earn the bread.
To deter all the genes on our poor earth
The unimaginable pends above
"Believe armageddon", daily they sob
"Let us all die before we become red".
And the other side is about the same
Of inferiority they are afraid :
"No more of Hitler, it would be a shame".
They all have enough but have to give aid
To other countries that follow their fame
"It is a stock market", someone has made.
***
Sonnet written by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares. Analyzed by GPT4 and www.howmanysyllables.com
Image by Leonardo.ai
Analysis of "Just To Earn The Bread"
Sonnet 24 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares, titled "Just To Earn The Bread," explores the theme of nuclear warfare and its devastating consequences. The poem highlights the destructive nature of humanity's pursuit of power and the potential for global annihilation.
The sonnet begins with a reference to "megadeath," a term used to describe the death of millions of people, typically in the context of nuclear war. The speaker laments the fact that people are willing to destroy the world "just to earn the bread," suggesting that the pursuit of wealth and power is driving humanity towards destruction.
The poem continues by describing the fear of genetic damage caused by nuclear weapons, with the "unimaginable" threat of Armageddon hanging over humanity. The speaker criticizes both sides of the conflict, noting that they are driven by fear and a desire to maintain their power and influence.
The reference to Hitler in the third quatrain serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed in the past and the potential for history to repeat itself. The poem concludes with a critique of the global power dynamics, likening the situation to a "stock market" where countries are traded and manipulated for the benefit of the powerful.
Overall, Sonnet 24 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares is a powerful commentary on the dangers of nuclear warfare and the destructive nature of humanity's pursuit of power. The poem serves as a warning and a call for reflection on the choices we make as a global society. (GPT4)
Analyze the rhyme of the poem in detail
The rhyme scheme of "Just To Earn The Bread" by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares follows the structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, which consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final rhymed couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
Here's a breakdown of the rhyme scheme in the poem:
A: Devastating goal: To bring megadeath! (1)
B: So horribly common, doing their job (2)
A: To mold the future into ugly blob (3)
B: To destroy the world, just to earn the bread. (4)
C: To deter all the genes on our poor earth (5)
D: The unimaginable pends above (6)
C: "Believe armageddon", daily they sob (7)
D: "Let us all die before we become red". (8)
E: And the other side is about the same (9)
F: Of inferiority they are afraid : (10)
E: "No more of Hitler, it would be a shame". (11)
F: They all have enough but have to give aid (12)
G: To other countries that follow their fame (13)
G: "It is a stock market", someone has made. (14)
The poem adheres to the traditional Shakespearean sonnet rhyme scheme, which helps to create a sense of unity and structure. The rhyming couplet at the end serves to emphasize the poem's conclusion and its critique of global power dynamics. (GPT4)
Count the syllables of each line of the poem
(www.howmanysyllables.com)
Just To Earn The Bread
10 Devastating goal: To bring megadeath!
10 So horribly common, doing their job
10 To mold the future into ugly blob
10 To destroy the world, just to earn the bread.
10 To deter all the genes on our poor earth
10 The unimaginable pends above
10 "Believe armageddon", daily they sob
10 "Let us all die before we become red".
10 And the other side is about the same
10 Of inferiority they are afraid :
10 "No more of Hitler, it would be a shame".
10 They all have enough but have to give aid
10 To other countries that follow their fame
10 "It is a stock market", someone has made.
What other analysis is worth doing on the poem?
In addition to the rhyme scheme analysis, several other aspects of the poem are worth examining:
1-. Imagery and symbolism: Analyzing the imagery and symbolism used in the poem can help to deepen our understanding of the themes and emotions conveyed. For example, the "ugly blob" in line 3 symbolizes the distorted and ruined future caused by nuclear warfare, while "Armageddon" in line 7 represents the ultimate destruction of humanity.
2-. Tone and mood: Examining the tone and mood of the poem can provide insight into the poet's attitude towards the subject matter. In this case, the tone is somber and critical, reflecting the poet's disapproval of the destructive pursuit of power and wealth.
3-. Diction and word choice: Analyzing the diction and word choice can reveal the poet's intentions and the emotions they aim to evoke. For example, words like "devastating," "horribly," and "unimaginable" emphasize the catastrophic consequences of nuclear warfare.
4-. Metaphors and similes: Identifying and analyzing metaphors and similes can help to uncover deeper meanings within the poem. In this sonnet, the comparison of global power dynamics to a "stock market" in line 14 serves as a metaphor for the commodification of countries and the manipulation of power for personal gain.
5-. Structure and form: Analyzing the structure and form of the poem can provide insight into how the poet has chosen to convey their message. As mentioned earlier, this poem follows the structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, which is known for its tightly woven structure and thematic unity. This choice of form may suggest the poet's desire to present a cohesive and well-organized argument against the destructive nature of nuclear warfare.
6-. Historical and social context: Examining the historical and social context in which the poem was written can help to better understand the poet's perspective and the issues they address. In this case, the poem's references to nuclear warfare, Hitler, and global power dynamics suggest that it is responding to the ongoing threat of war and the consequences of political power struggles. (GPT4)
