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In "I'm Nobody! Who are you?" How does the speaker feel about receiving attention? Identify two other poems in this grouping that express a similar tension between the private self and a social, or public, self, explain.

User Benekastah
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In “I’m Nobody! Who are you?” the speaker feels that being a “Nobody” is preferable to being a “Somebody” who craves attention and admiration. The poem suggests that being humble, withdrawn, shy, or private is just fine and has many virtues of its own.

Two other poems in this grouping that express a similar tension between the private self and a social or public self are “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot and “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot. In “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” the speaker is torn between his private desires and his fear of social judgment. He is afraid to express his true feelings and instead presents a carefully crafted public persona. Similarly, in “The Waste Land,” Eliot explores the fragmentation of the modern self and the difficulty of finding meaning in a world that has lost its sense of purpose. The poem is filled with voices and images that suggest a sense of alienation and disconnection from the world.

I hope this helps!

User Michael Brown
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