Poetic Understatement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Poetic Understatement - Essay Example In crafting â€Å"99 things to do before you die†, Nila northSun selects a title that draws the readers’ attention with the promise of learning about those things that are imperative to accomplishing fulfillment in life. The poem references a list published in â€Å"Cosmo mag† of â€Å"99 things to do before you die†, and goes on to explain how the magazine targeted a specific audience—rich people (northern). The poem lists several of the line items included in the cosmo list including â€Å"div[ing] off a yacht in the Aegean†, â€Å"go[ing] to Monaco for the Grand Prix†, and â€Å"buy[ing] around the world air ticket† (northern). However, the purpose of the poem is less about how to live a fulfilling life than it is about the socio-economic and cultural disparities that exist across regions and ethnic groups within the United States of America. The author communicates this disparity directly as well as indirectly. The question, â€Å"so what’s a poor Indian to do?† is a direct way of indicating that the Indian may not be in a financial situation to accomplish the goals listed by Cosmo. northSun indicates that many of the line items on the Cosmo list are â€Å"things only rich people could do† (northern). The cosmo mag list appears to assume that readers will have access to a certain level of wealth. The magazine ignores the fact that many may never be able to pursue the activities described due to financial constraints. northern highlights this point in the statement, â€Å"we certainly know you don’t have to be rich before you die†, indicating that many are born poor and die never having had a change in financial status. To communicate disparity indirectly, northSun creates a list deemed more â€Å"culturally relevant† (northern).