Julia Ralston Ms. Kristen English 101 9/17/2015 Opposite Worlds In the poem “On the Subway” by Sharon Olds, the author uses specific literary techniques to highlight the different lives and thoughts of African Americans and Caucasians in society. Although the poem depicts a minor situation, the overall message of the text proves to be a major controversial subject. Through uses of imagery, tone and stereotypes the author emphasizes the main theme and gives readers further insight of the opposing
narrator and the man he sees on the subway live in two different worlds which most of us live in. Sharon Olds is a Caucasian woman who lives in a world where “life is easier for her”, which she states in the poem referring to her white skin. The African- American man she meets on the subway is describes as a less wealthy mugger. Olds uses many contrasts to develop both portraits of both worlds of herself and the man by using her strong tone and imagery. On the Subway contains stanzas that can give the