Class 12 English Lesson 10 Poem: I Was on My Own Route: Reference to Context & Reference beyond Text Literature Section

 Reference to the context

a.      What does the speaker mean when she says 'she was playing a game of hide and seek with her being’?

When she says 'she was playing a game of hide and seek with her being’, she means the crucial situation of her life under patriarchal ideologies where there is a question mark in her being as well as identity. Her life under patriarchal ideology was similar to the game of hide and seek which she was playing with her being as well as her identity under men's domination.

b.     Why, in your view, was her back ripped by the old guards as she was advancing?

In my view, as she was advancing, her back was ripped by the old guards because the impacts of patriarchal ideologies moved along with her initially as obstacles. The old guards ie the traditionalists opposed her steps against them providing a lot of obstacles on her way to moving forward. They tried to create hindrances on her way and stop her on her way ahead.

c.      What, according to the speaker, did it feel like to be free?

According to the speaker, to be free felt like a blossom that can grow without any restrictions anywhere on earthly soil. It is a kind of feeling that flows from the balance between her life and the truth of the kiss of the new paths.

d.     Why does the speaker prefer the present to the past?

The speaker prefers the present to the past because her present is far better than her past. Her life under patriarchal ideology wasn't good at all and she was living her life without her identity. Her present is so nice with intimate liberation where she supposes herself as a blossom that can flourish anywhere on earthly soil.

e.      John Donne, in his poem “No Man is an Island”, says, “No man is an island entire of itself.” Would Burgos agree with Donne? Do you agree with Donne or Burgos?

The metaphysical poet and clergyman John Donne was one of the most influential poets of the Renaissance. He was just as famous for his witty cutting poetry. John Donne's poem "No Man is an Island", says, “No man is an island entire of itself.” Here, John Donne's poem's main title 'No Man is an Island' expresses the idea that human beings do badly when isolated from others and need to be part of a community to succeed. This poem has put forward the idea that no one is fully self-sufficient. No, Burgos wouldn't agree with Donne. She supports separated life for survival and progress in her poem.

Yes, I agree with John Donne and support his concept of societal equality in every aspect. He has put forward the idea of social equality where men and women seem equal and support each other for the development of society. But, if we examine Julia de Burgos's poem "I Was My Route", we find the speaker against patriarchal norms and values. She moves in her new paths for the sake of her identity and thrives in her life. The concept of feminism has been presented by the speaker where there is a lack of social equality. She doesn't want to rely on men and thinks of patriarchal norms and values as obstacles in the way of a female's identity and progress. In the case of both of them, I appreciate the concept of John Donne in his poetry who has presented the fine concept of social equality between men and women for the development of society.

Reference beyond the text

a.      Write an essay on My Idea of Freedom.

My Idea of Freedom

The term 'Freedom' itself is a term of debate from ancient times up to now. People have different interpretations regarding this term. I think the term 'Freedom' is quite a joyous term for all which sounds good. If we try to find out its real definition from books or websites, we find its single definition most of the time. The term "Freedom" refers to a state of independence where you can do what you like without any restriction from anyone. Moreover, freedom can be called a state of mind where you have the right and freedom of doing what you can think. Also, you can feel freedom from within.

But People define freedom with their different interpretations according to the situations and their own experiences. Different people are with different mentalities and they define this term differently. In most definitions, we often find the mention of the liberal state of human beings. My idea of freedom is similar to others. I also prefer to define it as the liberation of human beings. Following are some of my ideas regarding the term freedom:

i.       Freedom is a right to live: This aspect is quite important. Being humans, priority should be given to our survival. Human beings must have the right to survive properly without having any fear for their lives.

ii.     Freedom is a right to express: This is also a fine aspect of freedom where human beings get the right to express their views and ideas through oral as well as written means. This right of expression is a must but it should be away from the concept of harming others.

iii.  Freedom is a right for equal opportunity: This is another important aspect of freedom. This is the right where there is no discrimination between people in the matter of opportunities. Human beings must get equal opportunities in their lives in the matter of education and jobs. 

Thus, freedom is essential for the well-being of all human beings. 

 

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b.     Not all people, however, seem to agree with the kind of freedom upheld by Burgos in this poem. For example, William Faulkner, in his novel Requiem for a Nun, says, ‘“The past is never dead. It’s not even past. All of us labour in webs spun long before we were born, webs of heredity and environment, of desire and 9agree with Faulkner? Why? Why not? 

Yes, I agree with Faulkner because, in his novel "'Requiem for a Nun, his quote reveals the reality of human beings regarding the connection of the past. Human beings are considered conscious beings who are directly connected with their past and historical backgrounds. On this planet, every human being is connected to their pasts and their consequences. The time that human beings have spent here on this planet isn't dead. It has become past for them but that particular past remains alive within them for entire their lifetime. This connection to the past is quite long enough.

Moreover, the process of connection keeps on weaving its webs before birth time. All we humans labour in these webs of heredity and environment, of desire and consequence, of history and eternity. Human life keeps on moving being connected with the past. Humans never escape this great reality of this planet. Past always plays a vital role in everyone's life. Past never dies nor it becomes old. It keeps on moving with humans. Human beings always remain with this connection and struggle all the time.

The idea of freedom presented by Julia de Burgos seems quite unacceptable. The concept of social inequality can be seen in her poem. In Burgos's poem, we find the speaker quite frustrated to see her life under patriarchal ideology. She chooses her new path leaving her past because she found her past quite unpleasant. She wishes to be fully free from her past and male ideologies. Though she moves on her new path, she will never find herself away from her past connection. She will have to face this reality at her every step of her life. Her past and her historical background will always make her realise her own identity. 

 

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