Language and communication act like gasoline in the sacred car of "The Sacred." Speaking becomes a major theme, and the power of language to move people, take them to places that they didn't know they could go, and articulate that sacred place in all of us is the key to understanding what makes this poem move so gracefully. Wildly enough, embracing the sacred means moving to a place beyond language and communication. So, quit yer yappin and chill already.
Questions About Language and Communication
- How does this poem "about" the power of language articulate the feeling of going to a place where language is unnecessary?
- How is this poem an argument for the sacredness of language?
- How is the setting of this poem—a classroom where a discussion is happening—both a literal setting and a metaphor for the process of finding a sacred place?
- Does this poem suggest that language is a vehicle that can transport people to sacred places? What parts of the poem support your answer?
Chew on This
If a moving car filling with music is sacred, then a poem filled with the music of poetry is also a sacred place. (Plus it saves you money on gas.)
Just like the car the student mentions, this poem is like the language equivalent of Nelly's "Ride Wit Me," a song that's all about using music to express the joy of getting in the car and going for a ride.