"Warning" by Jenny Joseph page 305 # 246

A major theme in this poem is about the behaviors that are acceptable.  The person in this poem intends to act much like a whimsical child when they are older, this is clearly brought about by the lack of fun they are having as an adult.  This person must be responsible and maintain the socially acceptable life for someone at their age, however, they are obviously unhappy with this current arrangement and plan to remedy this as they grow older.  The meaning of this poem is that while there are responsibilities and commitments that must be honored, there is time for one to enjoy life and live that way one wishes to.

The repetition of "I shall wear purple" shows how life will change for this person once they reach this certain age.  In the beginning of the poem, the speaker glorifies this coming time and speaks with fondness of what they shall do.  Wearing purple symbolizes the change from the responsibility of life, to, in this person's opinion, the more carefree way of the elderly.  However, from the beginning to the end of the work, the meaning of the wearing of purple changes.  In the start of the poem it represent what one day will be when life is carefree, towards the end it symbolizes how while they will still do all of these things when older, they shall start to live their life to the fullest and experience some of these goals now.

In addition to repetition, the use of shifts is important as well.  The first three paragraphs state what will be done once this woman is older.  This portion of the poem is filled with imagery and presents a tone of longing.  The things mentioned in these paragraphs are longed for and should be longed for in the speaker's opinion.  The fourth paragraph brings about a shift, in this paragraph the word "must" is utilized to show how the speaker has no choice but to do the things expected by society.  It is their duty to be good citizens and abide by what society believes "must" be done.  However, in the fifth and last paragraph another shift changes the meaning of the work.  In this final paragraph the speaker realizes that they can be both the responsible adult that society expects and the breaker of the social etiquette.  It is possible to experience some of the fun things in life in addition to being responsible and a good member of society.  These shifts aid in viewing the change in the speaker, and the change in the work.

In my opinion, this work unveils an important issue that should be considered by everyone.  Most people are expected to be liable for themselves and possibly others, they must work to support families and themselves everyday.  This can be stressful and cause people to be miserable and resentful.  This is why it is important for people to have a balance of responsibility and fun.  This equilibrium will prevent one from going to far on either side.  This poem's final conclusion is something that everyone should follow in order to have a happy and fulfilling life.

"The Lipstick on the Mirror" by Tom Disch page 283 #217

This poem presents a different ending to the tale of "Snow White," in this revised version the Wicked Queen is envied in such a way, that the commoners around her attempt to replicate and make themselves as beautiful as she.  The Queen, though fawned at and imitated by all, is insecure of her own beauty, in spite of the fact that all strive to be her, she needs the affirmation of the mirror that she is "the fairest of them all."  This poem presents the issues of vanity and insecurity how they go hand in hand.  The Queen while she need not be unconfident, because of the chance that someone could be better, more beautiful.  This poem shows how the need to be better is shallow and will end up destroying you because you are not confident in yourself unless you are the best at something.

An important portion of this poem is the irony of the Queen's character.  True beauty is the confidence in oneself that the reaffirmation from others is unnecessary.  The Queen's vanity is false because she is not satisfied with the beauty she has, she strives to increase her attractiveness.  She askes her Mirror if she is the fairest everyday because she does not have the confidence necessary to be able to know that she is beautiful no matter what others think or say.  This portion is ironic because she constantly wants to preserve her title as fairest of them all when she is consistently unsure whether or not she deserves the title.

Also, the use of imagery in the poem aids with the overall meaning of the work.  Lines such as, "Diadems of diamonds replacing buns and braids," present what about the Queen is envied.  In order to increase their beauty, others in this realm wish to have the fine decalage of the Queen.  Products and jewelry are utilized in the attempt for greater beauty.  This shows how the Queen is known for her finery, she is beautiful because of the posessions she owns according to others in this poem.  This imagery ties into the meaning of how insecurity will cause people to believe that material things and the affirmation of others will make up for a lack of confidence in onself.

This poem represents the opinion of many females in society that what one wears or what one does to oneself can cause confidence.  Rather the insecurity that people feel cannot be solved with such trinkets.  The realization of beauty comes from within.  This poem presents an example of society and how materialistic things cannot substitute for confidence or liking oneself.