Poetry Analysis Essay on Jimmy Santiago Baca's "Coming Into Language"

Introduction

Jimmy Santiago Baca was the son of a difficult family. He was born in Santa Fe. He spent his younger life in an orphanage after being abandoned by his parents and proceeded to run away at thirteen years old (poetryfoundation.org). His life was just beginning, and he was already on the wrong path, which led to him serving jail time for drug possession (poetryfoundation.org). Because he didn't get much education, or any, this led to him being unable read and write. Baca was in prison for six years (1973-1979), and was eventually able to learn how to read (poets.org). Ebeling states that in the 1970s, the majority of illegal immigrants to this country were Mexicans. They would not be able to find work if they were sent back home to Mexico without financial assistance (Ebeling). Many of them fought for their stay in America, using every means possible.

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At this time, Mexicans were stereotyped as drug dealers and other criminals. Baca started writing poetry, which was his outlet for emotions and allowed him to express himself freely. "Coming Into Language" discussed the hardships Baca had to overcome in his life. He talks about his first job, his time in prison and his journey to learn how to read and write. Baca didn't have a way to express himself before reading and writing. He would probably have kept his emotions inside. Baca and me agree that self-expression can be beneficial for all. Because I felt that my personal experience best relates the central argument of "Coming Into Language," I decided to concentrate my writing on that text. Jimmy Baca argued, however, that expression is important regardless of what you're going through.

As someone who isn't artistically inclined, I prefer verbal expression to Jimmy Baca, who preferred poetry and other forms. Because I was an only child, I was very shy and had no one to talk to. I vividly recall a particular incident in elementary school when lunch was being served. My classmates were discussing the movie they had seen in class, and I was listening intently. Not a word came out my mouth. It wasn't because I didn't understand the movie or wasn't intelligent enough to participate in the discussion, but because I felt like I was missing out on their conversation and was concerned about what they would think.

I didn't notice that I was there. I was happy with the way things were. I was so uncomfortable with my surroundings that I realized I couldn't be like this anymore. When I thought about it, I realized that my mother is very outgoing, friendly and outspoken. I knew I wanted to be like her, and was open to trying it. When I began a new school year I "reinvented myself" by making more friends, going out more and becoming more social. My younger self was shy and timid. I didn't know how to express myself, and I was afraid of being judged by others. I reaffirmed my belief that people will judge me differently, but it didn't matter what their opinions were as long as they made me happy. Baca was the same with his writing. He didn't hide any thoughts, ideas or emotions for fear of being judged. I'm glad I learned to express myself positively. I wouldn't have had the opportunity to make so many friends and connections if I hadn't learned how to be that person.

Similar to me, Baca experienced the same stages as me in self-expression. Baca avoided reading, and he said that he considered it a waste of time. He could not stop reading once he started. My situation was one of avoidance. However, once I broke out of my shell, it allowed me to become who I was. Baca was able to understand me more when he decided to go to school. Baca realized that it was time for him to make a shift to improve his life in the same way that I wanted to be more outgoing. I mentioned that I wouldn't have been able to fully experience many of the life's experiences if I hadn't learned how to express myself. Baca is a good example of this. Without learning how to read and write, Baca would not have found his true calling and missed out on something that he loves.

Pathos is one rhetorical device used in "Coming Into Language" that convinces readers to view the story from his perspective. A rhetorical device in writing is used to communicate emotion or persuasion to the audience. Baca states, "But soon, the heartache of missing so much of my life, which had numbed and numbed me ever since I was a kid, gave way. As if a grave disease lifted itself from me, and I was cured. I innocently believed in the beauty of the life again." (Baca 6). Baca's use of the words "heartache", "numbed" and "cured" is meant to make readers feel sentimental. Baca wants his audience sympathize with him. However, I don't fully agree to this emotion since writing doesn't have that effect on me. This quote shows how reading can mentally transport Baca, helping him forget that his prison sentence is still a possibility, and making readers feel empathy for his situation.

Baca wrote later that "Through language, I was free." Baca later wrote, "Through language I was free." This statement was written to invoke sympathy. He carefully selected words like "free," "escape," and "indulge" to express his feelings. Baca claims that language makes him feel liberated, but he only means writing. This is a persuasive statement that works as a whole. Baca used metaphors to engage his readers. Baca uses metaphors to help his readers understand his feelings and experiences. The one metaphor that stood out for me was "But when I finally wrote my first words on paper, I felt an islands rising beneath my feet, like the back of whales" (Baca).

Baca was showing how stable and empowering his writing makes him feel. Analyzing each sentence will reveal the significance of each individual phrase. Baca's ability to write is evident in the word "first". Baca's newfound passion for writing is reflected in the phrase "rising under my feet like a whale" Baca says that writing is his outlet for expression. His demeanor changed dramatically when he said, "Before I was frayed, like a rope carrying over much weight, but that suddenly snaps." (Baca 9). He mentions a negative side to writing, which is the exact opposite of the metaphor he used. Baca describes how he used all of his time writing and it made him unhealthy. Baca describes how he didn't know the time of day when he wrote, which essentially led him to forget his identity. Writing was his break point and took his identity. This is a clear indication that writing is not the best way to express yourself. Baca was so consumed by his work that he almost forgot who he is.

Jimmy Baca was most likely targeting Hispanic men, who were probably not educated. Baca writes with simple vocabulary that is easy to understand, making it easier for someone who has not been taught to read. Baca may be trying to reach people who are in the same position he was in when he was a child. Baca was raised in a dysfunctional family in a lower-class community. His goal is to help others who are going through the same thing as he did. Baca mentions Chicano books and Chicano language at the beginning of his text. This may help Hispanic readers to feel more familiar.

Conclusion

Let me conclude by saying that self-expression is vital for everyone. It allows us to feel more confident about who and what we believe. Jimmy Santiago Baca discovered writing was his emotional outlet in the midst of life's challenges. I found verbal expression to be my own. Baca uses metaphors and pathos in "Coming Into Language" as a way to connect with his audience and let them feel the same emotions he feels. Although I don't agree with Baca that writing is the best way to express yourself, I believe it is an important form. Everybody will find their own way to express themselves. Some may do it in more complicated ways, but you can still get through anything if you are open to learning.