Comparing and Contrasting the Development of a Common Theme in “Response to Executive Order 9066” and “Mercian’s”
In the literary works “Response to Executive Order 9066” by Dwight Okita and “Mercian’s” by Wendell Berry, both authors develop a common theme of the human experience of loss and dislocation. The two authors convey the theme through contrasting perspectives, literary devices, and techniques. Okita’s poem is written from the perspective of a Japanese American who is experiencing the loss of their home and identity, while Berry’s poem describes the loss of the natural environment and the human connection to it.
In “Response to Executive Order 9066”, Okita uses first-person narration to convey the personal and emotional experience of the speaker, who is forced to leave their home and community due to the executive order. The speaker’s use of rhetorical questions, such as “What do I owe you?” and “Why should I be grateful?” highlights the frustration and confusion of the speaker. Additionally, Okita employs imagery to convey the speaker’s sense of dislocation, describing the “fog [that] hangs like old coats between the trees”.
In contrast, Berry’s “Mercian’s” portrays the loss of the natural environment and the human connection to it from a third-person perspective. Berry uses imagery to describe the effects of industrialization on the landscape, describing how the “fields are now flyable” and how “the roads cut through without faith or skill”. The use of metaphor in the line “the rivers thrown off course” highlights the extent to which human intervention has disrupted the natural environment.
Both authors use literary devices, such as repetition, to convey the theme of loss and dislocation. In “Response to Executive Order 9066”, Okita repeats “I” at the beginning of multiple lines, emphasizing the speaker’s individual experience of loss. Similarly, in “Mercian’s”, Berry repeats the phrase “no longer” throughout the poem, emphasizing the sense of loss and dislocation caused by industrialization.
In conclusion, the common theme of the human experience of loss and dislocation is developed differently in the works “Response to Executive Order 9066” and “Mercian’s”. Okita conveys the theme through the personal and emotional experience of the speaker, while Berry portrays the theme through the loss of the natural environment and the human connection to it. Both authors use literary devices and techniques, such as imagery and repetition, to convey the theme. Despite the differing perspectives and approaches, both works highlight the profound impact that displacement and loss can have on individuals and communities.