Problemata by Gregory Pardlo

 

 

Poem Excerpt - Problemata by Gregory Pardlo

My neighbor's teenage boys argue who possesses the greatest
patriotism.
 Just as pit bulls chained to their fists imply
their roughly domesticated manhood,
they seek to demonstrate their patriotism with bottle
rockets, spinners, petards, these household paraphernalia of war (9).

 

 

 

Classroom Questions

(1) What role does violence play in America's patriotism?
(2) What role does violence play in exercising manhood?

Please answer one or both questions in 3-5 sentences.