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Read the poem "Adam", by Hugh Cook critically. Criticize it using formalistic and

feministic approaches.
ADAM
by Hugh Cook
"Eden is boring
Nothing explodes.
There are no trains to fall off the tracks.
And Adam finds himself
With something missing.
Comic books? Broadband? Balsamic vinegar?
Pachinko? Razor blades? Plasma TV?
He's aware of an itch
And scratching
Has yet to be invented.
He eyes the fruit,
The One Forbidden Thing.
"Not yet," says the serpent,
Who's seen the script.
But Adam is engineered for impatience:
Quests, missions, objectives,
Grails unholy or otherwise.
"Out!" says the angel.
And Adam shrugs,
Loses the core,
Strides to the open gate.
Something on two legs
Is running after him."

User Hoa Tran
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The poem 'Adam' by Hugh Cook can be analyzed using the formalistic and feministic approaches. From a formalistic perspective, the poem can be examined for its literary devices, structure, and themes. From a feministic perspective, the poem can be explored in terms of gender roles and power dynamics.

Step-by-step explanation:

The poem 'Adam' by Hugh Cook can be analyzed using the formalistic and feministic approaches. From a formalistic perspective, the poem can be examined for its literary devices, structure, and themes. The use of repetition, such as the phrase 'Something missing,' creates a sense of longing and dissatisfaction, while the contrast between Eden and the outside world highlights the idea of temptation and human desires. From a feministic perspective, the poem can be explored in terms of gender roles and power dynamics. The portrayal of Adam as impulsive and driven by quests and objectives reflects traditional masculine traits, while the serpent taking on the role of influencing and controlling Adam suggests a power imbalance.

User Don Cruickshank
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