English 4 Beat Generation Essay
Twenty Volumes of a Confused Suicide Note
In a “Preface to a Twenty Volume Suicide Note” there are several sentences that get you thinking about life and how people in the poem feel about existing in it. Hidden meanings are everywhere in this poem, for example the line “nobody sings anymore” seems to hold a deeper meaning that it shows. Leroi Jones uses depressing words and complex phrases about life in order to make the point that someone in his family is upset and most likely has thoughts of suicide. Each phrase allows you to become more knowledgeable about the character and how they are feeling, although there is mystery throughout the poem and clear feelings are hard to pinpoint.
A picture of sadness and despair is painted when Leroi states, “things have come to that”. Even though those words are not surrounded by words that are particularly dark, alone they are enough to give off an eerie vibe like something is not right or might end soon. Although Leroi is most likely not talking about himself he is still very much affected by whoever is feeling this way, most likely his daughter or sister Kellie for whom the poem is dedicated to.
It isn’t clear who is throwing this depressing vibe over the whole family and bumming everyone out. Like I said, the poem is dedicated to Kellie so I would assume she is the one in a poor mental state but it’s hard to say for sure. Leroi does not speak openly and isn’t very specific so the reader is left to figure things out for his/herself. It is more low key things that are hard to explain they just don’t feel positive. For example he is talking about counting stars and when he can’t anymore he states, “I count the holes they leave”. Statements like that aren’t exact, open, or very descriptive they just give enough info to give the reader a feeling that points them in the right direction of, well, depression.
Hope seems to be lost for this suicidal person the whole time because of the feelings Leroi portrays in the poem. However towards the end of the poem Leroi says something that leaves a taste of potential hope for this person. He comes across Kellie on her knees at the edge of her bed praying into her clasped hands. I think there is a sign of hope since shes praying, hopefully praying for a better life or that things will get better. Although I suppose it would be naïve to just assume that prayer equals hope and improvement. Perhaps things are getting worse for her…
There is no real conclusion to the poem. We don’t get a definitive answer as to clarify what’s going on. It’s left a mystery on purpose. It’s hard to conclude what has been said because nothing can be for sure. We know that people are sad, most likely Kellie and maybe Leroi as a result of Kellie and her depression. Although the word suicide shows up in the title we don’t even know if anyone has or will commit suicide. The poem is so unknown yet incredibly powerful as a result of its mystery.
Works Cited
Jones, Le Roi. “Preface to a Twenty Volume Suicide Note.” Totem Press; Corinth Books. New York: 1961
Twenty Volumes of a Confused Suicide Note
In a “Preface to a Twenty Volume Suicide Note” there are several sentences that get you thinking about life and how people in the poem feel about existing in it. Hidden meanings are everywhere in this poem, for example the line “nobody sings anymore” seems to hold a deeper meaning that it shows. Leroi Jones uses depressing words and complex phrases about life in order to make the point that someone in his family is upset and most likely has thoughts of suicide. Each phrase allows you to become more knowledgeable about the character and how they are feeling, although there is mystery throughout the poem and clear feelings are hard to pinpoint.
A picture of sadness and despair is painted when Leroi states, “things have come to that”. Even though those words are not surrounded by words that are particularly dark, alone they are enough to give off an eerie vibe like something is not right or might end soon. Although Leroi is most likely not talking about himself he is still very much affected by whoever is feeling this way, most likely his daughter or sister Kellie for whom the poem is dedicated to.
It isn’t clear who is throwing this depressing vibe over the whole family and bumming everyone out. Like I said, the poem is dedicated to Kellie so I would assume she is the one in a poor mental state but it’s hard to say for sure. Leroi does not speak openly and isn’t very specific so the reader is left to figure things out for his/herself. It is more low key things that are hard to explain they just don’t feel positive. For example he is talking about counting stars and when he can’t anymore he states, “I count the holes they leave”. Statements like that aren’t exact, open, or very descriptive they just give enough info to give the reader a feeling that points them in the right direction of, well, depression.
Hope seems to be lost for this suicidal person the whole time because of the feelings Leroi portrays in the poem. However towards the end of the poem Leroi says something that leaves a taste of potential hope for this person. He comes across Kellie on her knees at the edge of her bed praying into her clasped hands. I think there is a sign of hope since shes praying, hopefully praying for a better life or that things will get better. Although I suppose it would be naïve to just assume that prayer equals hope and improvement. Perhaps things are getting worse for her…
There is no real conclusion to the poem. We don’t get a definitive answer as to clarify what’s going on. It’s left a mystery on purpose. It’s hard to conclude what has been said because nothing can be for sure. We know that people are sad, most likely Kellie and maybe Leroi as a result of Kellie and her depression. Although the word suicide shows up in the title we don’t even know if anyone has or will commit suicide. The poem is so unknown yet incredibly powerful as a result of its mystery.
Works Cited
Jones, Le Roi. “Preface to a Twenty Volume Suicide Note.” Totem Press; Corinth Books. New York: 1961