Final answer:
Harryette Mullen's poem "We are not responsible" may suggest critiques on societal apathy, and the usage of 'we' represents a social collective while 'you' stands for individual readers. The structure of free verse poetry allows for genuine expression, positioning the reader within the poem's emotional universe.
Step-by-step explanation:
The poem "We are not responsible" by Harryette Mullen communicates the notion that the collective 'we' are absolved of responsibility, perhaps in matters of social or political importance, which raises questions about the perspectives of freedom and accountability. The author's perspective seems to hint that this absolution of responsibility is an excuse for apathy or inaction, criticizing such a stance. Regarding the use of 'we' and 'you', 'we' can be interpreted as a generalized societal or collective voice, while 'you' represents individuals or the audience being addressed, highlighting the distance between societal expectations and personal experiences.
Considering the provided references, the perspectives of freedom vary from personal liberation and identity as seen in Ralph Ellison's quote, to the emotional and expressive liberation that comes from free verse poetry structure that allows a speaker to express their pain or stories authentically. The poem forces the reader to adopt a certain frame of mind by the language and structure used, allowing them to experience the poem's universe. This showcases the transformative power of poetry that allows for not only conveying messages but also evoking sensory responses, enabling the reader to deeply empathize with the speaker's experiences.