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Caribbean Journal

He stands outside the fencing looking in.

Inside, sunbathers relishing their flesh - some white, some black, and some of other skins - diving and swimming, feign not to notice him, fingers of doubt spread wide, gripping holes of mesh.

Some people on the grass are picnicking.

His pants are torn; he does not have a shirt; his face, a mask of sun-flaked grease and dirt, too young to understand his day's events, dreams mountain-slide of magic dollars and cents to cancel knowledge of the stomach's pain; eyes learning what will later reach his brain.

In time they'll be afraid to hear his curse at god's unholy Sunday-school arrangement, put him inside wire-mesh or worse, and sunbathe in the same sun on his hearse or perish if his bullet gets them first.

[Cecil Gray]

In a single word or short phrase, state what you consider to be the most dominant subject or idea that the poem communicates In a single sentence, state the theme or statement that the poem makes (implies) about the subject you selected.

Identify and list three effective techniques or devices that help to convey this statement. For each device you identified, write a brief statement (one sentence) explaining its effectiveness (what it contributes to the poem, its function).

Taking into consideration your responses thus far, formulate a working thesis you could use to guide your analysis of this poem.

Using between 80 and 100 words, present the introductory paragraph (which of course must include your thesis) of the critical analysis essay you would

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