'The bread boy' ; 7 April, 2023.

3 May, 2023
Uploaded to ChatGPT for analysis
Poem “The bread boy”

Soman Ragavan : Hello. Can I post a poem of mine for analysis, please ?

ChatGPT
Hello Soman Ragavan, of course, you may post your poem for analysis. I'll do my best to provide constructive feedback and insight. Please feel free to share your work.
 
Soman Ragavan : My poem : "The bread boy." Please analyse by each stanza, then give overall comments. Mention similar poems from other authors, where possible. THE BREAD BOY

ChatGPT
Sure, I'd be happy to analyze your poem, "The Bread Boy." Here is a stanza-by-stanza analysis with overall comments at the end.

Stanza 1: The first stanza sets the scene with a description of the setting and introduces the protagonist, the "slender bread boy," who is walking along singing a "lamenting song." The imagery of the "quiet and chilly" morning air and "remote mountain place" create a sense of isolation and melancholy.

Stanza 2: This stanza describes the bread boy's physical burden, the heavy bag of bread rolls he carries on his back, as he labors up the slope. It also reveals his hope for a better future, without having to carry this weight any longer.

Stanza 3: Here, the poet describes the bread boy's routine of delivering bread rolls to customers. The watchful dog and sleeping girls create a contrast between the boy's toil and the comfort of those who receive his products.

Stanza 4: The fourth stanza continues to describe the physical strain on the bread boy as he climbs higher up the mountain. The poet marvels at the boy's courage and steadfastness, despite his slender build and young age.

Stanza 5: In this stanza, the poet questions the fairness of the bread boy's situation. He wonders about the boy's compensation and if it is adequate for the amount of work he does. He also describes the boy's selflessness and willingness to help out despite being exploited by adults and even his own family.

Stanza 6: The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a call to end the exploitation of the bread boy. The poet describes the boy's physical weakness and the unpleasantness of his situation. Despite this, the boy continues to deliver the rolls, and the poem ends with him disappearing into the distance like a "poor clown."

Overall, "The Bread Boy" is a poignant and evocative poem that draws attention to the exploitation of young workers. The use of vivid imagery and a steady, measured rhythm creates a sense of the boy's struggle and perseverance. The poem also effectively juxtaposes the boy's hard work and meager existence with the comfort and privilege of those who benefit from his labor. The poem reminds me of Langston Hughes' poem "I, Too," which also addresses the injustice faced by marginalized individuals. Overall, well done!
 
Soman Ragavan : Thank you. Goodbye for now.

ChatGPT
You're welcome, Soman Ragavan! It was my pleasure to analyze your poem. If you have any other questions or would like further analysis in the future, don't hesitate to ask. Goodbye for now!

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"The bread boy” : at Baie aux Huitres, Rodrigues (Indian Ocean), June-August 1988.
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                                        THE  BREAD  BOY

In this morning air, so quiet and chilly,
In this remote mountain place, so dewy,
The slender bread boy doth trudge along,
Singing to himself his lamenting song.

A heavy bag of bread rolls slung on his back,
He bends forward and labours up the slopes;
The distant future will be better, he hopes :
Mercifully, no more climbing with this sack.

The watchful, alert dog doth raise his head
To sniff at the smell of the delicious bread,
And settles down again in his quiet watch,
As the boy's familiar face he doth catch.

Stopping once more near the customer's door,
Into the rustic baskets hanging over the floor
The frail boy doles out the warm, tasty rolls
While the sleeping girls clutch at their dolls.

Climbing higher and higher ‘pon the slippery hill,
The boy bends and gasps, and struggles and pauses,
As from yonder floats on the scent of the roses :
How this young lad be endow'd with some iron will !

In such a sleek body, what a steadfast courage !
What a remarkable wonder in a fellow of his age !
How much does he get paid daily ? How much profit ?
Is the reward quite adequate ? Is it really worth it ?

Giving so much of himself, for a mere pittance,
Yet ne’er making any fleeting remonstrance,
The poor fellow trudges along every morn,
And gives his tir'd feet another painful corn.

Exploit'd by adults, exploit'd by his kindred,
Not a single soul hath the poor boy to turn to,
For, it hath been drumm'd into his innocent head
That he should help out, as a good lad should do.

Deftly dodging daily the prickly plants in silence,
The boy gropes amid the rocks and the nettle,
While in their cosy homes others put on the kettle
And wait for the warm rolls with some impatience.

What a life ! What an unkind exploitation !
Such hard work everyday, so much sacrifice !
God, what a totally inadequate compensation !
But, they insist they are paying the right price.

For how long more should this misery go on,
This pitiless exploitation, this base trick ?
For how long more the poor boy will they con ?
Of all this when would they finally be sick ?

Stop this nonsense ! The boy be too weak
To carry daily up yon hill this heavy bag.
See how his frail body doth sway and sag !
Of sheer exploitation this whole life doth reek !

But, the lad keeps on delivering on time
The rolls that others greedily gobble down,
While he keeps singing his languishing rhyme :
Lo ! He vanishes yonder like some poor clown !

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