The Rebel by D.J Enright

"THE REBEL"

D.J Enright

A rebel is a non-conformist. His character is complex and contradictory. D.J. Enright brings out the self-assertive nature of a rebel in his paradoxical poem through satire and irony. The poem touches on the psychological aspects of a rebel who is usually motivated by sense of inferiority and insecurity probably because they want attention, praise, and so becomes an exhibitionist. This is usually the case in the time of non-conformist nature. His peers may find his actions funny and humorous but his superiors feel that it is immature way of disobeying rules, as for the rebel himself. He rebels against the convictions of the adult world. The rigidity of the adult world makes him feel that his own individuality will be lost, so by doing just the opposite of others he feels he has been able to assert his own self express his individuality and demonstrate his freedom of thought. But while he does all that he disturbs the general atmosphere of society, but at this moment of life, he fails to understand that because he is disturbed and confused about the existing rules of society.

The poet has tried to explore the cultural differences and misunderstandings that exist in our society. The tone is detached and ironic. The poet has very aptly used the confusing rhyming scheme. This rhyming scheme is instrumental to show the confusing situation of the rebel. The poem has various aesthetic qualities. Each point is brief deep and profound. It teaches us that there is a phase in our life where we want to detach ourselves from social bounding to search for our own identity. In this simple but humorous and satirical poem, D.J. Enright has drawn the picture of a rebel. The poem shows poet's knowledge of human nature and attitude of rebels. They always act against popular opinion and common behavior. Their actions are motivated by a strong urge to look different from others. Egotistic behavior is usually rooted in a scene of inferiority or insecurity. In this poem, the poet has exposed the behavior and attitude of young persons in an ironic manner. The poet says that when common persons have short hair, the rebel has long hair. If common people have long hair, the rebel likes to have short hair. When all talk in the classroom, he keeps quite and when others keep quiet, he causes disturbance. When everybody else is dressed in uniform, the rebel puts on fantastic clothes. When others wear beautiful dress, he puts on uniform. The poet further says that a rebel always expresses different from others. He loves dogs when others love cats and when others are lover of dogs, he shows his affection for cats. He wishes for rain when everybody likes sun and when everybody likes to have rain, he longs for sunshine. The poet says that rebels have their own value in society. They provide a spice of variety in our dull and monotonous life.

This poem is an interesting and harmless criticism on the behavior of young rebellious persons. The ambitions and whims of youth have been beautifully expressed in the simple and undecorated languages of this poem. The poet successfully persuades us to develop tolerant for rebels and put up with their odd behavior.

The ideology for this poem is rebellion and how rebels acted in society at the time that this contemporary poem was written, 1974, or that; "It is very good that we have rebels, you may not find it very good to be one". The ideology of this poem has been constructed and incorporated into the writing by simply stating that the rebel will do the complete opposite to the majority no matter what this may require. This is a lightly expressed poem written in a casual style free of any bitterness or criticism. The poet shows the character of rebel. One who does not conform to the norms of society and has a contradictory attitude based on self-assertion. This is not typically a political rebel who wants a revolution in the country; but this is a common adolescent boy who, for his inexperience, exhibits himself to draw attention. Moreover, this may have been an accurate depiction of the time that this poem was written, in 1974, as there were certain issues that caused strong rebellion throughout the world. Throughout this contemporary poem, Enright demonstrates how no matter what the issue, there will always be someone who will 'rebel' against this and do the opposite to the majority of society regardless of what that may mean.

Clearly the ideology for this poem is rebellion and how rebels acted in society at the time that this contemporary poem was written, 1974, or that; "It is very good that we have rebels, You may not find it very good to be one". The ideology of this poem has been constructed and incorporated into the writing by simply stating that the rebel will do the complete opposite to the majority no matter what this may require. And this may have been an accurate depiction of the time that this poem was written, in 1974, as there were certain issues that caused strong rebellion throughout the world such as; the war in Vietnam, and the aboriginal rights movement. And that at the time it could be very good for certain groups to have rebels, for example; aboriginal rebels fighting for aboriginal rights is good for aboriginals. However, it may not be good to be one, for example; getting either killed or thrown in jail for rebelling for their cause is not good for the actual rebel.

Throughout this contemporary poem, Enright demonstrates how no matter what the issue, there will always be someone who will 'rebel' against this and do the opposite to the majority of society regardless of what that may mean. For example, in stanza 5, the poem reads; "When everybody wears a uniform, The rebel dresses in fantastic clothes." And Vice-versa in the following stanza 6; "When everybody wears fantastic clothes, The rebel dresses soberly." This shows that the barriers or lengths of rebellion are unlimited even when the particular act of rebellion may be completely superfluous and have no meaning, because these two particular stanzas demonstrate the rebel "rebelling" by just doing the opposite to the majority crowd regardless of that that may be, with no significant reason or symbol to this action. This specific act of rebellion addressed in the poem has no significant impact or reflection on the rest of society.

However, some acts of rebellion addressed in Enright's poem could have an impact or reflection on society. For example, in stanza 3, the poem reads; "When everybody talks during the lesson, The rebel doesn't say a word." And in the following stanza 4; "When nobody talks during the lesson, The rebel creates a disturbance." This act of rebellion may still have the same principle of