Poetry Assignment #1

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

~ The Laughing Heart by Charles Bukowski 

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

~ The irony of this situation is that the poem was written to be a very personalized and intimate feeling, spoken to an audience that has lost all hope. Yet the commercial adds pictures and moments of excitement and true happiness making it seem as if everything was perfect. This is ironic because the intended audience of the poem would truly care less about their jeans or let alone have the money to afford a pair of Levi Brand jeans.

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

~ The poem does not reflect the reputation of the author. Charles Bukowski was known to write about his home town of Los Angeles and the more prominent topics of economic and cultural issues yet the poem describes a more low class setting speaking to a group of people rather than specific individuals. 

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

~ In order to answer question #1, I typed the first line of the poem into a Google search bar and went to the site that showed up: http://thebestamericanpoetry.typepad.com/the_best_american_poetry/2008/11/the-laughing-he.html. 

~ After I knew the poem name and author, I could find out the information needed in order to answer #3 about Bukowski through the website below:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Bukowski