WHEREAS Statements

Introduction

Hey there! 🌟 Are you ready to explore the profound world of Layli Long Soldier’s poetry collection, “WHEREAS Statements”? This book is not just a poetic endeavor; it’s a bold confrontation of historical and ongoing injustices faced by Native Americans. Layli Long Soldier, an Oglala Lakota poet, uses her unique voice and literary prowess to craft a response to the U.S. government’s official apologies to Native peoples. The genre here blends poetry with political commentary, creating a resonant and impactful read that pushes the boundaries of traditional poetry. Let’s dive deeper and understand the layers and textures of this incredible work! 📚✨

Meaning of WHEREAS Statements

“WHEREAS Statements” by Layli Long Soldier is structured around the legal and bureaucratic language of government documents, particularly those that pertain to Native American history. Here’s a breakdown of its structure:

• Opening Section
  The poem begins by setting the tone with direct engagement of the language found in government apologies. The poet contrasts these official statements with personal reflection and indigenous perspectives. For example, one line reads, “WHEREAS I tire of my effort to match the effort of the statement: ‘I am sorry.’” This juxtaposition highlights the emotional and cultural distance between government language and personal impact.
• Mid Section
  In the middle sections, Long Soldier delves deeper into specific historical grievances and the linguistic nuances of legal apologies. She uses her verses to dissect and reinterpret the words, creating a dialogue between her identity as a Native woman and the impersonal nature of governmental acknowledgments.
• Concluding Section
  The concluding parts of “WHEREAS Statements” reflect on the possibilities and limitations of language itself. The poet contemplates the transformative power of rewriting and responding to official narratives. The closure comes not as a resolution but as a continuation of thought and resistance, urging readers to reconsider the depth of an apology and the act of reconciliation.

In-depth Analysis

“WHEREAS Statements” intricately weaves various literary techniques to critique and converse with legal and political language. Here’s how Layli Long Soldier achieves this:

Themes and Symbols —

• Apology and Acknowledgment: The poet explores the depths and surfaces of what it means to apologize, questioning the sincerity and substance of governmental apologies to Native peoples.
• Identity and Erasure: Through her poetic lines, Long Soldier confronts the erasure of indigenous voices and the reclamation of identity through language.

Literary Techniques —

• Syntax and Diction: The use of legalistic and formal language against a backdrop of personal narrative creates a powerful contrast that challenges the reader’s understanding of apology and acknowledgment.
• Figurative Language: Metaphors and imagery related to nature and indigenous culture are used to contrast against the cold, bureaucratic language of the government.

Figurative Language —

• Allusion: Long Soldier frequently alludes to historical events and legal documents that have impacted Native American communities. This enriches the text by layering meanings that call for a deeper knowledge or investigation by the reader.
• Oxymoron: Phrases like “bitter benevolence” or “cruel kindness” are used to highlight the contradictions within the apologies and actions of the government.
• Juxtaposition: The poet places the sterile language of government documents side by side with vivid, personal language to highlight contrasts between official narratives and personal experiences.

Syntax and Structure —

• Fragmentation: The poem often breaks off into fragments, reflecting the fractured nature of the historical and personal narratives being addressed.
• Repetition: This device is used to emphasize certain points and to mimic the style of legal documents, enhancing the thematic concerns of authority and identity.

Diction —

• Contrast in Language: The use of technical, impersonal language versus the intimate and sensory language used to describe personal and communal experiences highlights the gap between governmental perception and individual reality.

Poetic Devices used in WHEREAS Statements

Device	Example
Anaphora	“WHEREAS…” repeated at the beginning of clauses to mimic legal language.
Metaphor	Comparison of historical documents to “an old metal lock” that suggests obsoletion and confinement.
Alliteration	“Softly stirring the truths between us” to emphasize the subtleties of communication.
Assonance	Repeated vowel sounds in “no need to note” create a lyrical quality that contrasts with the formal tone.
Enjambment	Lines break abruptly to emphasize disruption and the unfinished nature of governmental apologies.
Irony	Use of governmental language to express personal and cultural pain, highlighting the inadequacy and irony of such apologies.
Personification	Giving human characteristics to words or apologies, illustrating their inability to fully convey truth or reconciliation.
Simile	“Apologies are pointed like the tips of monuments” suggesting sharpness and superficiality in official remorse.
Hyperbole	Exaggeration of feelings or consequences to highlight the emotional impact of historical injustices.
Paradox	Statements that contradict the surface meanings of apologies, exposing deeper truths and conflicts.
Onomatopoeia	Words like “snap” to mimic the sound of breaking, symbolizing sudden realizations or changes.
Synecdoche	Using a part to represent the whole, such as “a hand” representing help or assistance, emphasizing the personal in the political.
Pun	Play on words involving legal terminology, which can be interpreted in multiple ways to challenge the reader’s perceptions.
Chiasmus	“I stand by what I said, but what I said stands by no one.” This reversal of structure highlights the isolation and abandonment in promises made to Native communities.

WHEREAS Statements – FAQs

How does Layli Long Soldier’s background influence her poetry in WHEREAS Statements?
Her identity as an Oglala Lakota poet deeply informs her exploration of themes like identity, language, and colonial histories, offering a personal and collective voice to the narratives of Native Americans.

What is the significance of the title ‘WHEREAS Statements’?
The title refers to the legal and formal language used in government documents, which the poet reappropriates to challenge and critique these same structures.

Can WHEREAS Statements be considered an act of literary activism?
Yes, Long Soldier uses her poetry as a form of resistance and reclamation, making it not just a literary work but also an act of activism that challenges historical narratives and seeks to alter perceptions.

What literary form is WHEREAS Statements based on?
The work is primarily a collection of poems that use the structure of resolutions and proclamations to frame a critical response to governmental language and actions.

How can WHEREAS Statements enhance understanding of Native American history for students?
By engaging with the poem, students can gain insight into how historical narratives are constructed and the impact of these narratives on the lives of Native American communities. The text encourages critical thinking about language, power, and history.

What challenges might a reader face when interpreting WHEREAS Statements?
The integration of complex legal language, intertextual references, and the blending of poetic forms may require readers to engage deeply with the text and conduct additional research for a fuller understanding.

WHEREAS Statements Study Guide

Exercise: Identify all the poetic devices used in the following verse:
“Apologies are pointed like the tips of monuments;
none sharp enough to penetrate the heart
at close range.”

Answers:

• Simile – Comparing apologies to monument tips.
• Hyperbole – Exaggerating the sharpness and effectiveness of apologies.
• Imagery – Visual elements related to monuments, suggesting permanence and visibility.

Exercise: Examine the following verse and list the poetic devices used: “Words like ‘reconciliation,’ ‘recompense,’ and ‘redemption’
are shells that shatter against the walls of their meanings.”

Answers:

• Metaphor: Words are compared to shells, implying they are hollow and can break easily when their true implications are tested.
• Imagery: The image of shells shattering against walls vividly conveys the fragility and inadequacy of these words.
• Consonance: The repetition of the ‘re-‘ sound in ‘reconciliation,’ ‘recompense,’ and ‘redemption’ ties the words together sonically, emphasizing their conceptual linkage.

We’ve traversed through the multi-dimensional landscape of “WHEREAS Statements” by Layli Long Soldier, exploring its intricate poetic devices, deep thematic content, and the significant impact of its structure and diction. This collection challenges readers to reconsider the power of language and the depth of historical narratives, making it a rich subject for study and discussion.