Poetry #1

1. From what poem/author does this commercial borrow (without credit)?

 - The commercial borrows Charles Bukowski's, "The Laughing Heart".

 2. Why might the use of this poem by a corporation be considered ironic?

 -Bukowski’s, “The Laughing Heart”, centers on living life freely, pursuing full liberty and happiness in one’s actions- not ‘giving in’ to submission. Yet, this commercial was created a major corporation with intentions of publishing the commercial to attract customers to buy their product, denim jeans (made thanks to foreign labor). I’m pretty sure this is giving into submission, especially being persuaded by the emotions viewed on the faces of the young adults in the ad, young, wild, free... The corporation’s incentive totally contradicts Bukowski’s poem’s incentive solely to attract (mainly young) customers to make their massive industry even more money. 

 3. Does the poem reflect the reputation of the author? Why/why not?

 - “The Laughing Heart’s” message is one of that uplifts the spirits, tells one to find ‘the light’ and grab on to it, leading one to a happy, fulfilled life. Rather positive the message of the poem, Bukowski had a struggling publishing career when he first starting out, leading him on a road of ten-year substance-abuse and having a plethora of different jobs. So, from gathering information form his life, this poem does not reflect Bukowski’s reputation, adding that Bukowski’s work was mostly dealing with more negative themes and subjects. Overall however, one may trace the poem and apply it to Bukowski’s life, as for he is one who followed its empowering message.

 4. How did you find the answers to #1 & #3? Describe your research process and your sources in detail.

 -After viewing the commercial a multiple of times on YouTube (by using the link attached to the Poetry #1 post on the AP Lit. blog), I went to ‘Google’ “The Laughing Heart” and went on two links that looked helpful and efficient. I received the information for question #1 on http://milan-poetry.blogspot.com/2007/03/laughing-heart-charles-bukowski.html and read the poem it contained. The second link I used, http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/charles-bukowski, gathered very useful information for answering question #3, as for the link focused on the late poet’s life and background.