Thalidomide, according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, is a formerly used sedative drug that is now known to cause malformations to children if used while the mother was pregnant. The theme of "One-Eye, Two-Eye, Three-Eyes" is being different and abnormal. Thalidomide is used as an allusion to contribute to the poems theme to emphasize how the difference of the One-Eye and Three Eye babies were compared to the normal Two Eyed sister. The One Eye and Three Eyed babies were born with malformations that were praised, just as babies, after the mother is treated with thalidomide, are born with malformations and abnormalities. The theme of the poem is seen through the mother's love for the one eye and three eyed daughters more than the two eyed because of their difference from the rest of the world. It shows how parents pride themselves on their children's differences that make them stand apart from the others.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Question #17
"In line 43 of “One-Eye, Two-Eyes, Three-Eyes,” Sexton makes an allusion to “the Thalidomide babies.” What is Thalidomide, and how does this allusion contribute to the theme of the poem?"
Thalidomide, according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, is a formerly used sedative drug that is now known to cause malformations to children if used while the mother was pregnant. The theme of "One-Eye, Two-Eye, Three-Eyes" is being different and abnormal. Thalidomide is used as an allusion to contribute to the poems theme to emphasize how the difference of the One-Eye and Three Eye babies were compared to the normal Two Eyed sister. The One Eye and Three Eyed babies were born with malformations that were praised, just as babies, after the mother is treated with thalidomide, are born with malformations and abnormalities. The theme of the poem is seen through the mother's love for the one eye and three eyed daughters more than the two eyed because of their difference from the rest of the world. It shows how parents pride themselves on their children's differences that make them stand apart from the others.
Thalidomide, according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, is a formerly used sedative drug that is now known to cause malformations to children if used while the mother was pregnant. The theme of "One-Eye, Two-Eye, Three-Eyes" is being different and abnormal. Thalidomide is used as an allusion to contribute to the poems theme to emphasize how the difference of the One-Eye and Three Eye babies were compared to the normal Two Eyed sister. The One Eye and Three Eyed babies were born with malformations that were praised, just as babies, after the mother is treated with thalidomide, are born with malformations and abnormalities. The theme of the poem is seen through the mother's love for the one eye and three eyed daughters more than the two eyed because of their difference from the rest of the world. It shows how parents pride themselves on their children's differences that make them stand apart from the others.
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Good work, Isis! I have two questions: 1)
ReplyDeleteWhen was Thalidomide prescribed? 2) How do you think a mother who used Thalidomide felt after her baby was born with missing limbs?