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What is the symbolism of "erasing names" in Yusef Komunyakaa's "Facing It"?

a) It represents the erasure of history and memory.
b) It signifies the desire to forget the past.
c) It symbolizes the difficulty of dealing with trauma.
d) It suggests the act of vandalism.

1 Answer

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Final Answer:

The symbolism of erasing names in Yusef Komunyakaa's Facing It primarily signifies the difficulty of dealing with trauma (c).

Step-by-step explanation:

In Facing It the act of erasing names serves as a poignant metaphor for the profound challenge of grappling with trauma. The poet a Vietnam War veteran confronts the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where the names of those who lost their lives are etched in stone. The erasure of these names in the poem captures the haunting struggle of individuals trying to come to terms with the emotional weight of war experiences. The poet, himself becomes a symbol of the broader struggle faced by veterans and society at large in reconciling with the profound impact of traumatic events.

The erasure goes beyond a mere act of forgetting or vandalism. It embodies the inherent difficulty in facing and processing the memories associated with war and loss. The poem delves into the complex emotions tied to confronting one's past exploring the scars that linger long after the physical wounds have healed. The erasure becomes a visual representation of the internal struggle to reconcile conflicting emotions illustrating the enduring challenges of navigating the terrain of trauma. This symbolism underscores the universal theme of the enduring impact of war on individuals and society emphasizing the ongoing often painful process of coming to terms with the past.

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