J. Patrick Lewis is the author of more than fifty books of poetry for children. "The Journalist" is a tribute poem to award-winning Asian American journalist, Helen Zia, which is featured in Lewis's 2013 book When Thunder Comes: Poems for Civil Rights Leaders. In this poem, the speaker describes how she uses journalism to address social issues.

Question

As you read, take notes on the figurative language the poet uses to reveal the speaker’s perspective.
I am a woman with a foreign face —
Apple-pie American (born Chinese).
Nothing I do will ever hide my race.
Nothing I am bears those parentheses.
I wield a pen, this fine and fearless sword,
To open doors for which there are no keys.
The written word’s the law, the law’s the word.
No one I know deserves parentheses.
The newspaper I work for is the place
I bring these hate-crime villains to their knees —
Writing the wrongs that plague the human race.
Nothing I am wears those parentheses.
Whenever foreign faces take the stand
Against injustice, fear deadens their pleas.
Nothing I am, except a helping hand.
Nothing we are, chained by parentheses.
That foreign face, my countryman, is you,
Whose ancestors once settled overseas.
Congratulations, you are foreign too,
Though seldom have you worn parentheses. Theme or topic of both texts:
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Hello my name is - never change who you are
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Genre of text 1: Narrative :
Genre of text 2:
Approach to the theme or topic: He told us why he change his name and identity.
Approach to the theme or topic:

Answer 1

The poem "The Journalist" by J. Patrick Lewis employs various figurative language techniques to explore themes of identity, race, and social justice. Below are notes on the poet's use of figurative language and the speaker’s perspective:

1. Imagery: The phrase “I wield a pen, this fine and fearless sword” creates a vivid image that emphasizes the power of writing as a tool for justice, likening it to a sword that can defend and attack.

2. Metaphor: The metaphor of the pen as a sword highlights the strength and courage required in journalism to confront societal issues. It suggests that words can be as potent as weapons in the fight for equality and rights.

3. Symbolism: The “parentheses” symbolize the societal labels and expectations placed on individuals based on their race and ethnicity. The repeated acknowledgment of these parentheses illustrates the speaker's struggle against being defined by her foreignness.

4. Repetition: The use of “Nothing I am” and “Nothing we are” emphasizes a rejection of societal constraints and the push for recognition beyond racial identity. This repetition reinforces the idea that identity should not be confined to preconceived notions.

5. Rhetorical Questions: The phrase “Who deserves parentheses?” serves as a rhetorical prompt, challenging the audience to consider the injustice of labeling individuals based on race.

6. Alliteration: The phrase “hate-crime villains” uses alliteration to create an impactful sound that underscores the severity of the issues being addressed.

7. Inclusivity: The speaker's transition from individual to collective, especially in “Nothing we are, chained by parentheses,” suggests a broader commentary on communal struggles with identity and discrimination.

8. Historical References: The very mention of a “foreign face” connects the current struggle to a historical context, recognizing that many Americans have immigrant ancestors, thus emphasizing shared experiences and solidarity.

Genre of text 2:

Given that the first text is a narrative poem, the genre of the second text could be classified as Reflective Non-Fiction or Personal Essay, especially if it discusses a personal experience.

Approach to the theme or topic:

In the context of the first text, the approach highlights the speaker’s personal challenges with identity and the empowering role of journalism in advocating for civil rights. In the second text, the approach might stress a personal narrative on the importance of self-acceptance and the rejection of societal labels, illustrating the theme of maintaining authenticity despite external pressures to conform.