compare how the poems develop a common theme.

Question

Seen on the Road

Dad noticed it first; the doors
on the back of the delivery truck
in front of us on the road
are loose, looking like
they’ll pop open any minute,
which they do. . . .
 
The traffic comes to a stop,
and we all watch as three office chairs
roll toward the tailgate,
stopping at the very edge,
looking like curious critters
peering out of the back of the truck.
 
Everyone starts honking,
trying to get the driver’s attention,
but he steps on the gas,
accelerating through the light,
and suddenly one of the chairs
seems to get the idea that now
would be a good time to escape.
 

First one chair, then the other two
fall off the back of the truck.
Landing upright on their wheeled legs,
those crazy chairs careen
down the street, zigging and zagging,
picking up speed as they race
merrily along the road.
 
Everyone keeps honking as we watch
the driver of the delivery truck
pull onto the freeway, oblivious that he’s
lost part of his cargo at the stoplight,
and I’m thinking that sometimes life
might be like that–
we move ahead, pull out into traffic,
not knowing
what we’re leaving behind,
never hearing the honking.

 

 

Burger Flipper
 
My older brother has just landed his first job–
working at the hamburger restaurant.
He comes home, filled with pride,
floating like a hot-air balloon,
carrying his uniform of gray-green pants and shirt,
a badge with his name, a paper hat with stripes.

I help him study his employee manual.
When I visit him after he’s settled in,
he offers me a soda,
and I sit sipping as I watch him work,
cooking french fries, flipping patties.
He winks at me, and when his boss isn’t looking,
my brother flips one patty high in the air,
catching it deftly with his spatula.
 
He wipes down the counters,
sets the salt and pepper shakers in a straight row,
smiles politely at the customers:
 
yes ma’am, no ma’am,
yes sir, no sir,
 
and I wonder if this guy is really my brother,
my brother who acts surly,
bugs Mom by leaving dirty glasses everywhere,
never cleans up after himself at home.
 I keep studying him,
trying to see how else he’s changed,
and when I squint my eyes just right,
I can almost see him all grown up.
But when he drives me home,
he growls at me for no good reason,
pokes me on the shoulder, and suddenly
Responsible Employee of Burgerland disappears,
leaving Big Brother in his place,
and all seems right in my world.

 

Answer 1

Both of these poems, "Seen on the Road" and "Burger Flipper," share a common theme of transformation and the unexpected ways in which people can change or reveal different aspects of themselves. Let's compare how they develop this theme:

1. Transformation:

1. In "Seen on the Road," the poem explores how the simple event of chairs falling off a truck leads to unexpected consequences and actions. The chairs, initially appearing as ordinary objects, transform into "crazy chairs" careening down the road, symbolizing how life can take unexpected turns.
2. In "Burger Flipper," the older brother's transformation is the focus. He goes from being a seemingly irresponsible and surly individual at home to a responsible and polite employee at the hamburger restaurant. This transformation is surprising and reveals a different side of his character.

2. Contrasting Images:

1. In both poems, there is a contrast between how individuals behave in different settings. In "Seen on the Road," the driver's obliviousness to the chairs falling off the truck contrasts with the chaos and honking of the people watching. In "Burger Flipper," the brother's behavior at work contrasts with his behavior at home, creating a sense of duality and transformation.

3. Symbolism:

1. "Seen on the Road" uses the image of the loose chairs as a symbol of unexpected events and missed opportunities in life. The chairs rolling away represent moments slipping by unnoticed.
2. "Burger Flipper" uses the uniform and actions of the older brother at the restaurant as symbols of responsibility and maturity. The paper hat, badge, and polite interactions with customers symbolize his transformation into a responsible employee.

4. Family Dynamics:

1. "Burger Flipper" delves into the relationship between siblings, highlighting the contrast between the brother's behavior at work and at home. This emphasizes how individuals can reveal different sides of themselves depending on the context.

In summary, both poems explore the theme of transformation and how individuals can surprise others with their actions and behaviors in different situations. They use contrasting images, symbolism, and family dynamics to convey this theme in distinct ways.