Poetry #1

1. From what poem/author does this commercial borrow (without credit)?

- “The Laughing Heart” by Charles Bukowski

2. Why might the use of this poem by a corporation be considered ironic?

-  Using this poem as a Levi’s commercial is considered ironic because the poem is talking about choice in life, the way to beat darkness, and the gods offering chances, but ultimately the Levi’s jeans company wants the audience to buy their jeans. “Know them, take them” –the Levi’s company telling you to buy the jeans.

3. Does the poem reflect the reputation of the author? Why/why not?

-  I believe the poem does reflect the author’s past of his father abusing him at a very young age. The poem says, “there is light somewhere, it may not be much light but it beats the darkness” the connection is not necessary the word “beat” but the abuse in his life would be the darkness and the light would be him escaping his father. Also in his teenage years, the kids at his school would tease him and years pass by but still he was sadden and depressed. Bukowski  says, “you are marvelous, the gods wait to delight in you,” meaning if he gets through the hardship in life, some good will come out of it.

4. How did you find the answers to #1 & #3? Describe your research process and your sources in detail.

-  As I listened carefully to the video, I picked up “your life is your life, know it while you have it” and searched it on Google. I clicked the first link which was http://thebestamericanpoetry.typepad.com/the_best_american_poetry/2008/11/the-laughing-he.html . I read the poem and followed along with the video to make sure this was the right one. In order to find the answer to question #3, I read some background on Bukowski about his early childhood and family on Wikipedia and made some connection with the poem.