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“Hate For sale” Analysis
“Hate For Sale” is an evocative poem authored by Neil Gaiman. The poem is a powerful, confronting, and thought-provoking piece of literary work that describes the destructive, yet seductive power of hate. In the poem, Gaiman argues the appealing and tempting attributes of hate and why most people keep buying into it.
“Hate for sale” comprises of five meticulously developed verses that elucidate the world we live in; a world where we devour hate in the very same intensity we are consumed by it. The introductory stanza asserts the nature of hate. The author shows the complexity of the devouring emotion, explaining that, even though to some degree, hate is lovely, it has the unique ability to rain havoc on the life of a hateful person. Gaiman demonstrates how one form of hate can quickly evolve into hating more than one aspect of something or someone in the second stanza. He notes that hate has the unlimited potential to start wars, including racial and ethnic wars, and between people from different financial backgrounds (the rich and the poor). Not only this, but he also observes the inability of hate to compromise or recognize diversity. This “clean” aspect of hate is what motivates people to commit atrocities.
The third stanza is pretty much a continuation of the second stanza. Here Gaiman shows how hating minorities and people who are different from us, such as gays, transgender, war refugees, and Jews, can create a false sense of superiority. Aside from this acquired ascendancy, hate also has the capability of influencing news headlines. According to Gaiman, a spiteful person is more likely to make the news. In the fourth stanza, the writer sarcastically talks about how hate creates a safe, clean, and great world, particularly for the hateful, achieved through burning, drowning and sending back refugees/ those detested. Verse 5 is a repetition of the first verse. It underlines the central theme of the article – the destructive nature of hate.
The author used general rhyming to enhance the poem’s musicality. For example, he used the ABAB rhyme scheme in the first stanza (rhyming couplets, best, tough, interest, and rough), and the CCDD rhyme scheme for the second verse. However, the third stanza has a different rhyme scheme from the other four. It follows the rhyme scheme – ABAAABBBCC. This gives the poem a pleasing effect making its recital a rather enjoyable experience. Besides, Gaiman also utilizes a refrain in the poem. He uses the phrase “Hate for sale” four of the five stanzas (verses 1, 2, 3, and 5).
Additionally, Gaiman uses the literary device- irony – specifically verbal irony to contrast what people think is the outcome of hate instigated violations and the actual reality. He says, “To know that your group is the best and burn to ashes all the rest. Who will not face the real test
But showed up naked, unprepared to be sent back, or drowned, or hurled back into the abyss. Your world will be so safe, so clean, so great. And all you needed was some hate.” This is the opposite of what happens as it has been observed that hate-inspired crimes only result in an insecure and weak society.
Lastly, the tone of the poem is outright sarcastic. Gaiman uses this tone to ridicule people’s attitude towards the whole subject of hate. He writes, “Your world will be so safe, so clean, so great. And all you needed was some hate.” Initially, the mood of the poem is sad. This is evident in the first stanza, where Gaiman says, “Lovely hate. Your life is rough.” He is saddened by the circumstances and specifically the violence on minorities orchestrated by hate. However, the mood changes to angry by the fifth verse as he is vexed that because of hate, refugees will be “sent back, or drowned, or hurled back into the abyss.”
“Hate For Sale” is a work of exemplary artistry that showcases the calamitous and alluring power hate possesses. The poem paints a believable picture of what we should expect to derive from hating people or things we detest. The different artistic styles employed by Gaiman in the poem help set the stage for him to communicate the intended message to the readers effectively.