Eminem Poetic Devices

Alliteration was used in the intro verse of the song (People, proud, citizens, country, stripes, stars) to emphasis the words, creating a rhyme to allow the audience to remember those words and symbolism is used to symbolize American flag. Anapestic pentameter , two unstressed syllables followed up by a stressed syllable. “Stripes and stars” creates an imagery of American flag and patriotism.

Eminem uses sarcasm to describes American should be proud but in the later of the song, it is clearly conveyed that the American shouldn’t be proud to be an American and hence indicating “men have died for to protect” men have sacrificed themselves to protect the freedom of speech in the United States. Moreover, rhetorical questions are often used to
evokes a response from the readers, leading the audience to reflect upon the existing problems in America.

On the contrary, the government is taking away the amendments that the U.S citizens had established in the past few years.
Eminem uses “army” to emphasise his perspectives on Iraq war and indicates many people shares the same perspective as him on the George W.Bush and Iraq war.
Racism was raised in most of his songs, implying the major on going problem in the United States is racism. Eminem, as a white rapper does not only breaks the frontier line of our skin color defines our cultural identity. From this line, Eminem is pointing out American is racist, as Dr.Dre was mentioned as the only record company that look past his skin color and accepts his dope rhyme. He also suggests that if he was black, he would not have many white fans, the number of sales of his record would also be half of his original sales.

Therefore, this demonstrates why Eminem was an inspirational and influential rapper among the white community in the 90s, causing the government censor Eminem’s song lyrics rigorously. The uprising of Eminem also immersed into the American young generations, since they shares the same cultural background and skin color as Eminem. Hence Eminem suggesting that if he was black , he would not be as successful as now, as his music would get grouped in the rest of the hip-hop
genres.
Since his music is listened by a lot of white kids, causing the rise of the allegation from politicians and parents that Eminem has influenced criminal behavior to the white American kids. Many kids are knee on him and wanting to become what Eminem does as a living. Eminem calls himself “their closest pal” indicates Eminem, who was called a “bad person” is the kids looking up to and wanted to become.

A splendid numbers of records sold within days of a white rapper adapting black culture are extraordinary, as he was the first person who does not only breaks through the wall between black and white community but also the number of records sold more than the black artists. “I’m like my skin is starting to work to my benefits now?” Eminem sees the problem with his music isn’t the lyrics he has but to who listens to it.

This raises the attention of parents and government fear of Eminem taking control on the future of American society, due to his influential lyrics to the younger generations. Parents disagree with the thoughts he addressed that he can be successful without proper education. Through the song, Eminem argues children does not need to have proper education to become successful. At the same time, criticising the strict white parents no longer let their children to use their one’s talent but imputing and suppressing their children into a box where they no longer have a choice to decide their own future. Indicating the change of values through time, and showing the power of rap music on altering the thoughts of the audience.