Cartoon Physics Part 1 Analysis

Optimism Brought on by Cartoons As a little girl I remember sitting in front of the television watching cartoons. Cartoons, a place where anything was possible, even a flying school bus. Growing up my memories add my sister sitting there next to me, the screen showing talking ponies instead of the old school bus. Even as the cartoon changed, it still had its own message to present, whether it be about the solar system or the magic behind friendship. In Nick Flynn’s lyric poem “Cartoon Physics, part 1” he delves into the connection of the innocence of a child and their optimistic outlook on life, and how this changes as one loses their innocence, all shown through cartoons. Flynn does this through the use of figurative language, attitude, and a shift throughout the poem. Figurative language expresses an author’s, or in this case poet’s, idea without them having to directly say what it …show more content…
Flynn takes on a strong belief of innocence in a child as he writes that “At ten we are still learning / the rules of cartoon animation” (6-7). Nick uses the word we, which includes not only children but everyone no matter the age into the picture. As if to remind the reader of their when they were full of innocence, to be able to strike a chord with the reader in an impartial tone to address his strong point of view and take a quick sting without overly strong emotion. This impartial tone becomes a bit more bitter as Flynn writes “A child / places her hand…on a school bus, / & drives across a city of sand. She knows / the exact spot it will skid…” (19-22). Flynn goes from a tranquil scene full of the child’s innocence and imagination to a bitter one showing the lack of innocence, clearly stating his view that he does believe that he innocence of a child is important and how it plays a major role on everything they do from their make believe to their perspective of