"Interpreter of Maladies"-Jhumpa Lahiri

     "Their accents sounded just like the ones Mr. Kapasi hear on American television programs, though not like the ones on Dallas" (Lahiri).

      Lahiri points out a flaw within international society by making this allusion to American television programs.  Americans form an idea of foreigners through television.  People in other countries obtain their perception of Americans the exact same way.  They assume Americans are exactly as they are portrayed on-screen.  Most of time, television only presents the mere extremes of society while the majority rest somewhere in the middle.  These assumptions both Americans and the foreigners make about each other can be fatal.  Body language and speech can be easily misconstrued on both parts.  I think that the widely-accepted theory of Americans (produced by way of media), that they have low morals, causes trouble for Mr. Kapasi.  At one point, he just assumes he and Mrs. Das will eventually be together believing she would easily desert her husband and children.  Within this short story, Lahiri presents a small side message to take caution in how one makes himself known to others and how that one perceives others within the international society.       

"Everyday Use"-Alice Walker

    Like Holman, one of Walker's messages in "Everyday Use" is found through irony.  The irony in this short story is focused primarily upon the character of Dee.  Throughout her childhood and adolescence, Dee expresses a deep desire to leave behind her world and go in search of one that she could be proud of.  In fact, she does find a world that she is probably more suited for.  However, in this, she discovers that her race and history is not something to take shame in.
   Her mother (and therefore, the audience) have the idea that Dee has no respect for the aspects that make up her culture.  In the story, the reader learns she was not protective of her sister and refused to take a quilt.  Because of this, her mother makes little attempt to show her the richness and beauty that can be found within her roots.  Fortunately, Dee seems to grasp the idea on her own that one's origins are something to be proud of or at least recognize.  She expresses sentiment to her sister by telling Maggie to put herself out there in the world.  She now wants the quilts and even verbally appreciates "the benches her daddy made for the table when we couldn't afford to buy chairs" (Walker).  

"Hazel Tells Laverne"-Katharyn Howd Machan

     The manner in which this poem is written contributes greatly to its significance.   Even without the title, the reader would be able to recognize the poem as a conversation due to the use of vernacular.  By omitting grammar and instituting cacography, Machan creates an image of who the characters are without explicitly telling the readers who they are or what they look like.
    The nonexistence of punctuation to mark the end of a thought gives Hazel a personality.  From the development of this personality, the reader will most likely assume the refrain, "me a princess" (Machan), was stated in a interrogative or exclamatory manner.  Either way, this shows that the idea of Hazel becoming a "princess" was completely unfathomable.  Her location and assumed place within society seems to create an atmosphere that reinforces this idea.
    One aspect of this poem that confuses me is the year in which it was written.  To me, 1976 does not compliment the theme of the poem which addresses specific divisions within society that were strong throughout the 1930s into the 1960s.  The poem has a much older tone to it, as if it had been written in these decades.     

"Mr. Z"-M. Carl Holman

     Holman utilizes a strong ironic tone throughout the poem that becomes most obvious in the final line.  Even the title itself expresses irony.  A name as a singular letter normally suggests generality of anonymity.  However the letter "z" is often regarded as unique because its use is so scarce.  Therefore, the title symbolizes how unique Mr. Z is, even though he is trying to do the opposite and become a "chameleon". 
     Holman also points out the grievances of society through satire.  He displays how the desire to belong to accepted society can drive a man to leave his roots and what he has known for his entire life.  Both Mr. Z and his wife lose a part of their identity by trying to fit themselves into society.  His wife deserts her religion.  Mr. Z disassociates himself with his black heritage.  I thought this made the irony of the last line so strong.  Losing his identity made Mr. Z "one of the most distinguished members of his race" (Holman)