I Feel Like I 'M Fixin' To Die Rag Analysis

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Recommended: Modernism and it's main elements

Modernists believe in rational thoughts while postmodernists believe everything is irrational. Postmodernism is a late-20th century movement, which is against and critiques modernism. Postmodernism knows to mock important topics such as war, and includes dark humour and sarcasm. However on the other side, modernism has a completely different approach in comparison to postmodernism. The modernist period started at the end of the 19th century and lasted up until 1955. Modernism focuses on traditional values, and often comments on the Victorian period. Despite focusing on traditional values, modernism also accepts modern values. The song “I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ To Die Rag” by Joe McDonald is a postmodernism song, while poem “The Red Wheelbarrow” …show more content…

Postmodern authors were not the first to use irony and humour in their writing, however for some authors this became their style of writing. Postmodern irony is mocked and not taken seriously, and the song “I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Die Rag” is an example of postmodern irony. Making fun of and being cold towards a serious subject are postmodernism characteristics. The song makes fun of the possible humankind total nuclear destruction by saying “Just hope and pray that they drop the bomb/ they drop it on the Viet Cong” (McDonald, verses 19-20). However, the poem “The Red Wheelbarrow” has imagism in it in comparison to the postmodernist song. Imagism was a movement in early 20th century Anglo-American poetry that favoured precision of imagery with a clear and sharp language. The poem itself has a series of images starting with the line, “a red wheel/ barrow” (Williams, lines 3-4). The author adds details for the reader to visualize the image in their mind. Without the colour red added to the text the reader wouldn’t have an accurate image of the poem. With the author adding specific details to the poem the reader is able to make conclusions and add meaning to the story. Imagery and irony are two of the different characteristics of modernism and

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