Need Help on poetry!!!

[trying2learn]

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Hi, everyone!

I need major help!!!!! I have this english assessment about poetry only i dont understand what this poem means.....i have to indicate the parts in which literal imagery is being used. If you dont understand what literal imagery is dont worry about it. But someone please help me understand this poem. PLEASE!!!!!! Also does anyone know how this poem represents some issues from the post-modern era???

A Schoolboy’s Apology

If sometimes I fall asleep in a lecture
or shout or scream as if alone
please forgive me please don’t be angry
for I have no place to play

I’m growing up and I want to be a sailor
I’m wishing for a giant arena and a stream
I feel like yelling my life is beginning
Every minute I want to hold tight to my dreams

But the fires of war have shrivelled my joys
At every step I see guns turned on me
At every word I hear the crash of steel
Not believing not understanding I only stare

The slaughter goes on and on.
Blood and bones and hatred all stained red.
People running from the front to look out for themselves
Cheating lying stabbing others in the back

Some of my friends have fallen
No one knew, no one cried, they were dewdrops that’s all.
My home village burnt to the ground
The way back cut off, ‘partitioned….’
Le Than Xuan

(1949 – translated by Nguyen Ngoc Bich)

[trying2learn]

Can anyone help me please........

[666_blessings]

Sorry, but this forum is meant for Extension 2 english students who are writing poetry for their major work. I suggest posting this question in the general english bit.

[PrettyVacant]

=| There's quite a lot of literal imagery in that poem actually.

A Schoolboy’s Apology

If sometimes I fall asleep in a lecture
or shout or scream as if alone
please forgive me please don’t be angry
for I have no place to play

I’m growing up and I want to be a sailor
I’m wishing for a giant arena and a stream
I feel like yelling my life is beginning
Every minute I want to hold tight to my dreams

But the fires of war have shrivelled my joys
At every step I see guns turned on me
At every word I hear the crash of steel
Not believing not understanding I only stare

The slaughter goes on and on.
Blood and bones and hatred all stained red.
People running from the front to look out for themselves
Cheating lying stabbing others in the back

Some of my friends have fallen
No one knew, no one cried, they were dewdrops that’s all.
My home village burnt to the ground
The way back cut off, ‘partitioned….’
Le Than Xuan

How hard can it be? Any imagery that isn't figurative imagery will go into the "literal imagery", generally. Something that doesn't require much though and can be visualised as it is written down. Eg. the first line, yeah, you can imagine the guy falling asleep in lecture, right?

=| Argh, I might be wrong. But that's just how I see it.

& The postmodern era is just the time after WW2 up til now. So brainstorm issues? :\

[Loza33]

Many, many post modern issues and comments on society!! Ill highlight main ones...

A Schoolboy’s Apology

If sometimes I fall asleep in a lecture
or shout or scream as if alone
please forgive me please don’t be angry
for I have no place to play

I’m growing up and I want to be a sailor
I’m wishing for a giant arena and a stream
I feel like yelling my life is beginning
Every minute I want to hold tight to my dreams

But the fires of war have shrivelled my joys
At every step I see guns turned on me
At every word I hear the crash of steel
Not believing not understanding I only stare

The slaughter goes on and on.
Blood and bones and hatred all stained red.
People running from the front to look out for themselves
Cheating lying stabbing others in the back

Some of my friends have fallen
No one knew, no one cried, they were dewdrops that’s all.
My home village burnt to the ground
The way back cut off, ‘partitioned….’
Le Than Xuan
Turns out... the whole thing is big comment on post modern society...

Here is a 'school boy' , who 'has no place to play', holding onto dreams and apsirations "I want to be a sailor" and yet due to the society around him is faced with "Blood and bones and hatred all stained red." This poor boy has nothing left ot live for.. he cannot understand what he has done wrong.. the catalyst of the poem is
But the fires of war have shrivelled my joys
At every step I see guns turned on me
At every word I hear the crash of steel
Not believing not understanding I only stare

It is a very vivid poem.. that can easily be concentrated on the issue of society of 'is this what our youths view?'
'are we paving this future for younger generations?"

Dont know if any of that helped...

Good luck.. message me if you want more help!