Introduction
Throughout his life, Baca theme of changes occurs as he transforms from one personality to another. On the one hand, he is a street boy who knows only the hustle of drugs and fights that leave him with conspicuous scars. On the other hand, Baca assumes the personality of elite who uses complex figurative languages in his poems, such as “Count-Time” and “Like an Animal,” to communicate the plight of prisoners. Still, the poet explores the nature of attitude that his fellow Chicanos hold; thus, he signifies how best the illiterate tribe may become enlightened through self-learning (Michelson, 25). His essay “Coming to language” shows how the writer hardly believed in reading before the imprisonment; thus, mirroring many other Chicanos in the society he belongs. Indeed, Baca’s personal life emerges in his auto-bibliographic essay ‘Coming to language’ and his growth shows from the poem “Like an Animal” to that of “Count-Time.”
Poetic Expression and Literary Devices
Baca utilizes the poetic expression and literary devices to explore the theme of personal change and growth in the two poems “Count-Time” and “Like an Animal” as well as in his short story “Coming to Language” that mirrors his life. For instance, Baca mentions in the story that he only cherished illustrated books in which he watched pictures of women; however, out of nowhere “One night my eye was caught by a familiar-looking word on the spine of a book” (1). This spontaneous twist from an illiterate fellow to one who likes reading and writing becomes a turning point in the life of the poet. In fact, he goes on to demonstrate the writing prowess in the poems. While “Like an Animal” shows the beginning of his enlightenment, “Count-Time” appears to celebrate his achievement in personal changes and growth. For instance, the former is a simple poem with short lines and standard language; however, the latter incorporates long lines with complex figurative languages such as symbolism. The most conspicuous literacy device in “Like an Animal is simile such as “hard as a blackboard” (Line 5). Yet, “Count-Time” includes the symbol of tombs that signify the slave-like life of the prison cells (Line 2). In other words, Language level grows in Baca and he assumes an intellectual mind thereafter. Hence, literacy growth occurs to Baca in ways that show advancements that changes his life positively.
Behavioral Changes and Growth
The theme of change and growth also emerges in the works of Baca within the behavioral sphere; he begins as a fearful and low self-esteem person and advances into bold prisoner. Indeed, Krier of The Los Angeles Times reports that the psychological and emotional changes contribute positively in making the poet the most outstanding Chicano of his time. The short story portrays the fear of the street life that the poet worries about in declaring how he finds the prison confinement suitable. Baca says “I enjoyed the quiet, away from the screams of shotgunned, knifed, and mangled kids writhing on gurneys outside the operating rooms” (1). The safety of the incarceration becomes an irony in his essay and goes on to portray personal behavior change even in the poems. For instance, “Like an Animal” shows how the personal is scared of the prison life; however, “Count-Time” indicates how his resignation makes him brave. In the former poem he says “I AM SCARED” (“Like an Animal” Line 8). The mentioning of the scare in capital letters show how the feeling of the persona is of worry. However, the bravery “Count-Time” whereby the prisoners remain still until the wardens leave after taking the count shows how Baca becomes used to the life under incarceration. Therefore, the poet’s behavior changes and he grows from a fearful person to a bold prisoner.
Internal Change and Attitude Growth
Moreover, Baca undergoes internal change that enables him to grow in attitude; thus, he faces his life with a positive outlook unlike before imprisonment when he cherished crime. The short essay “Coming to Language” describes the life of the prison poet in ways that show a significant change of heart. For example, the story tells how the writer becomes a regular reader in the cells and even assumes normal life in incarceration (Baca 3). In other of the statements, Baca tells that literary works sparked empowerment within him saying “The language of poetry was the magic that could liberate me from myself, transform me into another person…” (2). Poetics then became a mean through which Baca expressed his internal change. A critical analysis of the poem “Like an Animal” indicates how the mastery of literature language helps the poet communicate vividly. For example, he describes the signs of his many physical tortures as scars that assume “chalk white” color (“Like an Animal” Line 7). Then, the other poem “Count-Time” also involves use of figurative language, such as “tombs” and “deaths” to signify lifelessness within the prison walls (Lines 2, 9). Baca’s progress becomes the result of his change in attitude from a resigned prisoner to a warm-hearted fellow who believes in himself highly. He advances from viewing issues from the negative perspectives to appreciating his personal situations and living positively with them.
Change and Growth in the Chicano Society
Lastly, Baca’s memoir in the form of the short story also illuminates the theme of change and growth in the society that the poet comes from – Chicano – and the poems reinforce the achievement in having new perspectives of life. In one of his statements, Baca asserts the change of view stating that “I always had thought reading a waste of time, that nothing could be gained by it” (3). The realization that education and literacy can change a persons’ life then becomes a major message that the poet wishes to get to the rest of his Chicano people. In fact, Baca signals the power of societal literacy as it leads to cohesiveness and peace as opposed to violence. Moreover, he laments the mistreatment of the minority Chicanos in ways that liberate them from the fear of oppression (Michelson 25). Even though the two poems only indicate the appeal to societal change indirectly, it emerges apparently in implied forms. For instance, the “Like an Animal” includes the phrase “the real me, behind these prison walls” to show the Chicano blood in him (Line 10). Similarly, “Count-Time” elaborates the plight of Chicano people as a society in indicting that “[bodies] counting lost days” (Line 6). While the first poem shows the Baca as a reformed member of the community, the latter indicates the missed opportunity to enlightenment that the tribe foregoes amid the oppressive government systems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Baca uses the theme of change and growth in both his auto-bibliographical essay “Coming to Language” to the poems “Count-Time” and “Like an Animal.” While the short story remains entirely a reflection and retelling of the poet’s life, the poems demonstrate literacy growth from an illiterate prisoner to an enlightened one. In the essay, the prison poet elaborates his self-learning to become literate; thus, he gains personal growth intellectually. In the poems, he advances from simple to complex orator and writer. Thus, Baca’s works appeal to the society of Chicanos to learn the benefits of positive transformation.
Works Cited
“Count-Time.” Written by Jimmy Santiago Baca. Poem.
Baca, Jimmy Santiago. “Coming Into Language.” Mr. Swanson RHS, n.d., http://mrswansonrhs.weebly.com/uploads/5/8/5/9/58591913/coming_into_language__honors_1.1.2019_.pdf. Accessed 1 Nov. 2018.
Krier, Beth Ann. “Baca: A Poet Emerges from Prison of His Past.” Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 1989, http://articles.latimes.com/1989-02-15/news/vw-2541_1_baca-prison-poets. Accessed 1 Nov. 2018.
“Like an Animal.” Written by Jimmy Santiago Baca. Poem.
Michelson, Seth. “Count-Time: Neoliberalism, Subjectivity, and Jimmy Santiago Baca's Prisoner Poetry.” Pacific Coast Philology, vol. 48, no. 1, 2013, pp. 25-47.
