Said The Shotgun To The Head Analysis
In Said the Shotgun to the Head by Saul Williams, Williams offers controversial views on themes such as politics, religion, war and feminism, through the eyes of a man who has been driven to madness after experiencing a passionate kiss. He particularly criticizes Western values, and the Christian view of a traditional male God. In section 7, Saul Williams makes a lot of references to feminism, and the wrongful worshipping of a male God. There are also a lot of connotations of war and violence.
Williams offers a critique of Christianity, the most prominent religion in the Western world. His dislike for a traditional God is a theme throughout the poem, often suggesting that a female deity should be worshipped, and the "Great Mother" will eventually …show more content…
The onomatopoeic word "crash" creates connotations of destruction, in reference to war, and perhaps in particular the 9/11 attack on the twin towers. At first appearance, it would seem that Williams is accusing the West of forgetting the teachings of Jesus, and instead submitting to crime and war. However, he then goes onto question his original view, with the rhetorical question "or is that his mighty voice?" speculating that God himself is responsible for the violence and war. The adjective "angry" is used to describe the Christian God, which conflicts with the traditional view of a loving, forgiving God. Furthermore, God is referred to with the personal pronoun "your", which Williams uses to separate himself from the religion he is criticising. A biblical reference to Jesus and the Virgin Mary is used, as Williams talks of "a virgin generation’s son degenerate", and that God is "craving" his sacrifice. Jesus once died for our sins, and now God wants another sacrifice. In section 4, Williams again refers to this idea that God is responsible for the tragedies and evil in the world, by stating that "God plays a human instrument", suggesting that we are all merely ways for God to create destruction and violence, and rejects the belief that God loves and cares for
Williams offers a critique of Christianity, the most prominent religion in the Western world. His dislike for a traditional God is a theme throughout the poem, often suggesting that a female deity should be worshipped, and the "Great Mother" will eventually …show more content…
The onomatopoeic word "crash" creates connotations of destruction, in reference to war, and perhaps in particular the 9/11 attack on the twin towers. At first appearance, it would seem that Williams is accusing the West of forgetting the teachings of Jesus, and instead submitting to crime and war. However, he then goes onto question his original view, with the rhetorical question "or is that his mighty voice?" speculating that God himself is responsible for the violence and war. The adjective "angry" is used to describe the Christian God, which conflicts with the traditional view of a loving, forgiving God. Furthermore, God is referred to with the personal pronoun "your", which Williams uses to separate himself from the religion he is criticising. A biblical reference to Jesus and the Virgin Mary is used, as Williams talks of "a virgin generation’s son degenerate", and that God is "craving" his sacrifice. Jesus once died for our sins, and now God wants another sacrifice. In section 4, Williams again refers to this idea that God is responsible for the tragedies and evil in the world, by stating that "God plays a human instrument", suggesting that we are all merely ways for God to create destruction and violence, and rejects the belief that God loves and cares for