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From the first line to the concluding phrase, Michael Santana plunges us into the world of hate and vulnerability that is adolescence. His poem, “The Inner Pinnacle Struggle of Adolescence” is on the spotlight today as I review its meanings as well as my personal opinions. To Read...*Please note that Santana wrote this poem in 11th grade and is now a much more proficient writer.* To Understand...For those who are going cross-eyes at the word “adolescence,” it is literally, “The transitional period between puberty and adulthood in human development, extending mainly over the teen years and terminating legally when the age of majority is reached.” Basically, it is the teenage years. Due to the hormone imbalance in the developing minds of teenagers, they are vulnerable to mood swings. They are also very famous being outrageously angry, as well as being victims of severe depression. Now that you know that, let’s look back into the poem. Our first stanza shows us that there are two people involved: the speaker and someone else. The speaker believes the two to be opposites, never recognizing one other despite their daily sightings of each other. The second stanza characterizes the two people: the speaker is “childlike” and “innocent,” while the other person seems to be more of a Personal Enemy #1: “A stranger with candy ready to kidnap,” Santana writes. The confusion sets in when we realize that the two people who don’t recognize each other are involved in the epic battle of the victim (our childish speaker) and his tormentor (the other person). In the third stanza, the victim announces that “I hate you, you adolescent freak of nature.” From this, we can see that the tormentor is successful in his harmful doings; “All it’s given me is insecurity and loneliness,” the speaker admits. The next two stanzas gives us bright, horrifying images: the nightmare of your own flesh burning while naked on a dance floor, everyone watching, but no one helping. Your enemy can see your every fault and hates you just as you hate him. In the last stanza, the speaker fights back: “Our fists push towards each other / Blocked by a shattering sheet of glass.” The speakers eloquently paints the blood pumping out of his hand, his eyes going back to scowl at his enemy. “Only then you realize, / My hand is wounded. / Your hand is wounded. / Our hand is wounded.” From this we finally see: the enemy is the speaker himself, looking into a mirror, hating himself for growing up in the ways that is in adolescence. He is one, but inside he feels he is two: the childish original, and the new adolescent. The speaker is trying to resist growing up, but he is fighting himself. "Only then you realize, To Share...Those who hear me speak my mind at random moments must think I am somewhat dim. After reading a work that has truly touched me, I often say something ridiculously simple. For example, after reading Santana’s poem, I said aloud, “Wow. That’s deep.” However, my mind was saying this: I have never read something so concentrated with feelings and images. It is truly amazing how Santana perfectly captured the struggling emotions of battling oneself in just 278 words. Unfortunately, Santana wrote this heart-wrenching from his personal experience. He wrote “The Pinnacle Struggle of Adolescence” to express his inner difficulties in 11th grade. Note: Santana also wished to notify readers that he is a much more proficient writer now. To Discuss...I went through this struggle in middle school. I was discouraged with all of the work that came with middle school, and I was bullied because of my excessive dorkiness. But I have since grown past that, realizing that the puns and quirky stories helped me make connections to what I was learning. I have also learned that I am not so different after all – there are plenty of people who like my kind of random humor and childish interests. Now people have a hard time making me angry and upset: every insult they throw at me gets turned into something funny for everyone. Teachers enjoy my participation in classes because I keep things interesting as well as on-task. Now it is your turn. Adults: share your wisdom and pain – how did you survive adolescence? What kept you going when you felt low? Teenagers, name something that you are having difficulties with in life. How are you getting past them? What is pushing you to keep going? And Finally, A thank you...A great big shout-out to Michael Santana who graciously allowed me to review his work on this blog! I hope you enjoyed the post, Santana and readers! Also, for those who have essay prompts or written works that they would like to have posted on this blog, contact me! I am always open to new ideas and the sharing of knowledge.
Until next time, -ZebraD
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ZebraD
8/22/2016 12:24:19 pm
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AuthorZebraD is currently a high school senior in Florida. She is constantly writing essays for school and scholarships. Archives
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