Wed. Dec. 6, 2017: Poetry Analysis: "Ernest Mott"

Today, you were reminded to get your "Dana Moran" analysis in. You were then instructed to analyze the poem "Ernest Mott." This activity was done in class and their was ample time to do all the "before," "during" and "after" steps. I have pasted the poem below for those who are absent.

Using all the steps for active reading, analyze this poem.

Ernest Mott

            When I was younger, mothers didn’t let me play with their kids.

“Billy has to come in for supper.”

A lie.

Because I could see the fear in their faces.

5          One time I did run naked through the neighbourhood.

One time I did beat up this kid who called me “retard.”

One time I did smash four windows in a row.

It wasn’t my fault.

Something inside of me told me to do these things.

10        I was always sorry afterward.

Now, after years of special classes,

Years of Thorazine and therapy,

They want to put me back into a regular class.

I don’t know if I want to go back,

15        Back to people who still have fear in their faces.

Mel Glenn (1982)