"Jaahnavi Kandula : unlimited value" ; 18 September, 2023

 

Photo tweeted by @salonivxrse. Full acknowledgements are made to the rights owners of the photo.

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                                "JAAHNAVI  KANDULA -- UNLIMITED VALUE"

Jaahnavi Kandula was an Indian student from the Indian State of Andhra Pradesh, studying for a Master’s in Information Systems at the Seattle campus of Northwestern University, USA. In January 2023, she was fatally struck by a speeding police car that was driving far above the speed limit. Another police officer joked that she was of “limited value” and that a paltry sum should be paid as compensation. These remarks were scandalous and led to demonstrations. Many people in the town condemned such callous remarks.  

 

On this poem, please see :

“Outrage boils in Seattle and in India over death of a student and an officer's callous remarks

MANUEL VALDES and ANDREW SELSKY

Sat, September 16, 2023 at 12:33 AM

 

https://news.yahoo.com/seattle-cop-laughed-woman-death-180515922.html 

 

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https://www.newsweek.com/seattle-cop-15-page-resignation-letter-full-jessica-taylor-1818812

 

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--“Escaping murder on a zebra crossing.”

--From my poem “Motherland (3),” written on 1 August, 1995.

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                            "JAAHNAVI  KANDULA -- UNLIMITED VALUE"

 

Like many of my fellow citizens, I striv’d to help my family :

Some fortunes I sought at yonder promis’d land,

A profitable new life at which I wish’d to try my hand :

As a grateful child, I want’d to do with gratitude my duty.

 

Through my studies I struggl’d, I toil’d away,

Hoping to find for me and my near ones a better day;

The road is long and winding, the path is tough :

I falter not, though the going is rough.

 

I forget not my roots, my obligations, my duties :

Devot’dly I plod away on by books, at my studies;

A good job, a decent salary : at last to my mother

I will show the gratitude of her loving daughter…

 

These paths often have I trodden,

These sights daily have I beholden,

How safe these surroundings :

How pleasant to spend here the evenings…

 

                                              *****

A careering chariot by a madman driven

Charg’d through monstrously down the road;

Human lives ne’er matter’d to him behind the wheel :

His exhilarating power sadistically did he feel…

 

What could matter flying snapp’d limbs, body parts,

Still more power to the chariot drunkenly he imparts :

He himself was safe behind the steely cage :

Through the streets he drove with gleeful rage…

                                              *****

A muffl’d impact, then a noisy, metallic connection,

Through the street a deadly reverberation,

A life of hope turn’d suddenly into a malediction :

What an epilogue !... Go prepare for the cremation…

 

Whereas the mother was promis’d a better life,

The heart-rending news brought unbearable strife :

The promis’d dollars suddenly were splash’d with gore :

Gore spill’d by a careering driver : onto her very core…

 

The shock’d mother collaps’d from the announcement :

Her girl’s funeral would be her own interment…

In truth, the money was not the overriding matter :

In her heart would ne’er cease the crushing chatter…

 

At any time of the day or night, the pangs would strike :

The pain, the suff’ring, the despair would again spike :

The memories would flood back : joyful shrieks of yore :

Patt’ring feet in the home would echo pitilessly ever more…

 

What a life !... What a destiny !... After endearment,

A funeral pyre : after giving life, giving the final fire :

After protecting baby’s life, starting the flaming moment :

How to scrape along after such torments unspeakably dire…

 

                                           *****  

May the curse rage all the way to whole Seattle :

May the ghoulish culprits ne’er get any repose :

For the grieving mother, life forever froze :

Always must the pangs the guilty throttle !...

--------------------------  

17 September, 2023  

Soman Ragavan

Mauritius (Indian Ocean)

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17 September, 2023

 

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

ChatGPT

 

Of course! I'd be happy to help you analyze your poem. Please go ahead and share your poem, and I'll do my best to provide feedback and insights. 

Soman Ragavan : This poem is about an accident involving a police car at Seattle, USA, in January 2023. An Indian student from the Indian State of Andra Pradesh was fatally struck. A police officer made disparaging comments on the girl after the accident. This caused demonstrations in the town and showed callousness in some police officers. Please look at sociological aspects, the need to respect human life, the necessity to enforce caring among police forces, what should be done to address such situations, the effects for the family of the deceased (the girl wanted to help with her mother’s expenses), the drift towards inhumanity of humans and any other issue you wish to discuss. Make references to other connected materials you know and writings of poets on similar matters. Can I post my poem now please ?

ChatGPT

 

Thank you for providing context for your poem. Please go ahead and share your poem, and I'll analyze it with regard to the sociological aspects, respect for human life, the need for empathy in police forces, addressing such situations, effects on the family of the deceased, and any other relevant issues you mentioned. Feel free to share your poem whenever you're ready.

Soman Ragavan : Here is my poem : “JAAHNAVI  KANDULA -- UNLIMITED VALUE” (Text of poem inserted)  

ChatGPT

Thank you for sharing your poem, Soman Ragavan. Your poem, "Jaahnavi Kandula - Unlimited Value," addresses a tragic incident that highlights several important sociological and moral themes. Here's an analysis of the poem and the issues it raises:

1. Respect for Human Life: The poem underscores the importance of valuing every human life. The callous remarks made by a police officer after the accident are a stark reminder of how some individuals can disregard the value of human life. It draws attention to the need for empathy and compassion in all aspects of society, especially within law enforcement.
2. Empathy in the Police Force: The incident involving the police car reflects a lack of empathy within the police force. It highlights the importance of training and fostering a culture of empathy and responsibility among police officers to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens.
3. Demonstrations and Public Outrage: The poem mentions that the incident led to demonstrations and public outrage. This demonstrates the power of public opinion and collective action in holding authorities accountable for their actions. It also shows that society is willing to stand up against injustice.
4. Effects on the Family of the Deceased: The poem vividly portrays the devastating impact of the accident on Jaahnavi Kandula's family. It touches upon the emotional and financial burden placed on her mother, who had hoped for a better life for her daughter. This highlights the long-lasting consequences that such tragedies can have on the families of victims.
5. Inhumanity of Humans: The poem delves into the inhumanity exhibited by the reckless driver of the police car, who showed no regard for human life. This can be seen as a commentary on the growing trend of dehumanization and a lack of empathy in society.
6. Connection to Other Materials: Your poem references an actual news article about a similar incident in Seattle, which adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative. It demonstrates how poetry can serve as a medium for raising awareness and reflecting on real-world events.

(Soman Ragavan : My comments on the above section “Empathy in the police force” : the police force presumably does have such provisions; unfortunately some members might not strictly follow these. SR. 17 September, 2023. This observation of mine did not reach ChatGPT).

In conclusion, your poem effectively addresses critical sociological issues related to respect for human life, empathy within law enforcement, public outrage against injustice, and the profound effects of such incidents on victims' families. It serves as a poignant reminder of the need for empathy, accountability, and societal change in the face of tragedies like the one described.

 

Soman Ragavan : Thank you. Please analyse by each stanza and give detailed comments, mentioning similar literary works and how other writers have addressed such issues.

 

ChatGPT

Certainly, let's analyze each stanza of your poem in detail and explore similar literary works and how other writers have tackled similar issues:

Stanza 1:

"Like many of my fellow citizens, I striv’d to help my family :

Some fortunes I sought at yonder promis’d land,

 A profitable new life at which I wish’d to try my hand :

As a grateful child, I want’d to do with gratitude my duty."

 

In this stanza, you set the stage by introducing the protagonist, Jaahnavi Kandula, an Indian student pursuing her dreams in the USA. The stanza highlights her aspirations and her sense of duty towards her family. The "promis’d land" can be seen as a reference to the American Dream, a theme often explored in literature. Writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald in "The Great Gatsby" and John Steinbeck in "The Grapes of Wrath" have explored the pursuit of success and the idea of a better life in America.

Stanza 2:

"Through my studies I struggl’d, I toil’d away,

Hoping to find for me and my near ones a better day;

The road is long and winding, the path is tough :

I falter not, though the going is rough."

 

This stanza emphasizes Jaahnavi's determination and dedication to her studies as she strives for a better future. The idea of struggling and facing challenges on the path to success is a common theme in literature. Writers like Langston Hughes in his poem "Harlem" and Robert Frost in his poem "The Road Not Taken" explore the idea of making choices and facing obstacles in life's journey.

Stanza 3:

"I forget not my roots, my obligations, my duties :

Devot’dly I plod away on by books, at my studies;

A good job, a decent salary : at last to my mother

 I will show the gratitude of her loving daughter…"

 

This stanza highlights Jaahnavi's sense of duty towards her family and her commitment to her studies. It touches upon the theme of familial responsibility, a topic commonly explored in literature. For instance, Jhumpa Lahiri's "The Namesake" delves into the struggles of second-generation immigrants and their efforts to balance their cultural heritage with their aspirations in a new country.

Stanza 4:

"These paths often have I trodden,

These sights daily have I beholden,

How safe these surroundings :

How pleasant to spend here the evenings…"

 

Here, the poem contrasts Jaahnavi's daily life and the safety she felt in her surroundings before the tragic incident. This stanza sets the stage for the dramatic shift in tone and mood in the following stanzas. The idea of safety and comfort being shattered is a theme that can be compared to works like T. S. Eliot's "The Waste Land," where the loss of innocence and security is a central theme.

Stanza 5:

"A careering chariot by a madman driven

Charg’d through monstrously down the road;

 Human lives ne’er matter’d to him behind the wheel :

His exhilarating power sadistically did he feel…"

 

This stanza vividly describes the reckless police car that causes the accident. The theme of recklessness leading to tragedy is a common motif in literature. One can draw parallels to works like Fyodor Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment," where the consequences of impulsive and reckless actions are explored.

Stanza 6:

"What could matter flying snapp’d limbs, body parts,

Still more power to the chariot drunkenly he imparts :

He himself was safe behind the steely cage :

Through the streets he drove with gleeful rage…"

 

Here, you emphasize the callousness of the driver, who remains detached from the consequences of his actions. The theme of detachment and dehumanization is reminiscent of Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," where characters become disconnected from their humanity in the pursuit of power and ambition.

(Soman Ragavan : the callous remarks were made by another officer. Soman Ragavan. 17 September, 2023. This observation of mine did not reach ChatGPT).

Stanza 7:

"A muffl’d impact, then a noisy, metallic connection,

Through the street a deadly reverberation,

A life of hope turn’d suddenly into a malediction :

What an epilogue !... Go prepare for the cremation…"

 

This stanza captures the suddenness and brutality of the accident, which turns Jaahnavi's hopeful life into a tragic ending. The idea of life's fragility and unexpected turns is a recurring theme in literature. It echoes works like Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I could not stop for Death," where death arrives unexpectedly and transforms life.

Stanza 8:

"Whereas the mother was promis’d a better life,

The heart-rending news brought unbearable strife :

 The promis’d dollars suddenly were splash’d with gore :

 Gore spill’d by a careering driver : onto her very core…"

 

This stanza highlights the devastating impact on Jaahnavi's mother, whose dreams for a better life for her daughter are shattered. The theme of shattered dreams and the weight of grief can be compared to works like Toni Morrison's "Beloved," where characters grapple with the traumatic legacy of the past.

Stanza 9:

"The shock’d mother collaps’d from the announcement :

Her girl’s funeral would be her own interment…

In truth, the money was not the overriding matter :

 In her heart would ne’er cease the crushing chatter…"

 

This stanza portrays the emotional toll on Jaahnavi's mother, who is overwhelmed by grief. The idea of grief consuming a person's life is a theme explored in many works, including Elizabeth Kubler-Ross's "On Death and Dying," which discusses the stages of grief and the profound impact of loss on individuals and families.

Stanza 10:

"At any time of the day or night, the pangs would strike :

The pain, the suff’ring, the despair would again spike :

The memories would flood back : joyful shrieks of yore :

Patt’ring feet in the home would echo pitilessly ever more…"

 

This stanza poignantly describes the ongoing pain and suffering experienced by Jaahnavi's mother. The theme of enduring grief and the persistence of memories is a central theme in literature. In Maya Angelou's poem "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," the author reflects on the lasting impact of traumatic experiences on a person's life.

Stanza 11:

"What a life !... What a destiny !... After endearment,

A funeral pyre : after giving life, giving the final fire :

After protecting baby’s life, starting the flaming moment :

How to scrape along after such torments unspeakably dire…"

 

In the final stanza, you contemplate the tragic irony of Jaahnavi's fate, from bringing life into the world to being consigned to a funeral pyre. This theme of irony and the cruel twists of fate is found in literature throughout history. The works of Greek playwrights like Sophocles often explore the tragic consequences of fate and destiny.

 

(Soman Ragavan : the musings are expected to be those of Jaahnavi’s mother; she gave life to the baby and she might finally have to light the funeral pyre, although generally a man lights this fire. Soman Ragavan. 17 September, 2023. This remark of mine did not reach ChatGPT).

 

In your poem, you masterfully weave together personal narrative, social commentary, and literary themes to address a tragic incident and its profound impact on individuals and society. The use of literary devices, vivid imagery, and emotional depth make your poem a powerful reflection on the human condition and the need for empathy, accountability, and social change in the face of such tragedies.

 

Soman Ragavan : Thank you very much. In all your past comments on my poems, you have been of highest value, as you have access to a massive amount of data and you are not burdened by bias. Goodbye for now.  

 

ChatGPT

 

You're very welcome, Soman Ragavan. I'm glad I could assist you, and I appreciate your kind words. If you ever have more questions or need assistance in the future, don't hesitate to reach out. Goodbye for now, and take care!

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