i want to find the analysis about rod mckuen poem title thoughts on capital punishment?

Answer 1

Rod McKuen's "Thoughts on Capital Punishment" talks about the persona wanting capital punishment for cars that uncaringly run over animals on the road. The persona also says that drivers of these cars should be placed in purgatory for doing such pitiless crime to animals; the headlights be subjected to trial, caged with a hyena or an elephant to avenge the loved ones of those animals crushed on the road. Finally, the persona worsened the purgatory state for the drivers to a "hellish state on the highway." Certainly, we can say that the sympathy of the persona is on the animals being killed. McKuen's poem sympathizes for the animals. In terms of approach, McKuen's poem is direct. Notice that the totality of the poem is meant "as-is" and the poem gives an easily depicted moral, that is, "Don't be cruel to animals."

Poetic Structure -
As mentioned earlier, McKuen's poem is direct, too literal in its meaning. Corollary to that, we can say that the poem's structure is simple to the extent that nothing else can be noted apart from what it literally means. This can be good, at some point that the reader can very well understand the poem easily; however, note that poetry's language is enhanced not by simplicity, but by "presenting ordinary things in an unusual aspect." (Brooks, Language of Paradox) It is also remembered that one of the mistakes that a poem commits is simplemindedness in terms of finding a way to present the poem. The poem turned out to be too simple that the supposedly deep effect of the poem is outweighed.

Another thing to consider is McKuen's choice of words. It is noticeable that McKuen created a rhyme scheme, but this choice of words also created a rather comic tone for the poem. Words such as; killing kitty cat (line3), scampering squirrels (line 9), made him at fault in having awkward word orders. Notice as well his use of casual tone like in line 19; cause he didn't know, and from line 18; with his guts spilling out. These we can consider poetic "disturbances" distract the reader from the seriousness of the message you are presenting (especially something about life, death and God-given creatures).

McKuen's poem seems not to develop the action that can incite that effect needed for pity or care for animals. In fact, the whole poem is just like thoughts running on the mind of the persona, things that he wants to happen;
- There ought to be capital punishment (McKuen line 1)
- There ought to be something, something that's fair? (McKuen line 16)

On an additional note, it is established earlier that the poem "Thoughts on Capital Punishment" strongly expresses condemnation to killing animals, more generally, cruelty to creatures that are extensions of God. Well then, if that is the case, why would the persona wish something cruel to the drivers which are still belonging to the same circle as the cats, the squirrels, and the chipmunks? Isn't it ironic, to the point of negating your own point, when the poet uses capital punishment as a way to convey his idea which is anti-cruelty and pro-life? If so, then the poem is indeed faulty on that part.

Of course we cannot remove the idea that McKuen really "targets" the simple minds (i.e. young readers) what will appreciate his poem. Generally, it is McKuen's mistake of being too simple, awkward choice of words (and arrangement) and that lacking sense of needed emotion to develop the power for the supposedly not-so comical theme of the poem

Answer 2

Capital Punishment Poem