The poem "American Hero" by Essex Hemphil is about a basketball player who scores the game winning point in a basketball game. He makes the last shot and the crowd goes wild. I feel that this poem was enjoyable to read because I like basketball and I think the author described the game winning moment very well. Also, I think that the last eight lines are very interesting, especially how he says that the character in the poem would be "hard pressed" and not be accepted in some blocks. The author used basketball terms to describe politics,and I think that this is very unique. One poetic devices used in this poem are metaphors, such as, "It's a shimmering club light. . ." Also the author uses alliteration, when he says, "slick in my sweat. Squinting. . ." and assonance when he says, "slap the backboard. I slam it. . ." Another device used is hyperboles, when the author says, "The crowd goes wild. . ." and, "they love me for it. . ." He exaggerates rhe crowd going wild and the crowd loving him for making the winning shot. Overall, I enjoyed this poem and I would like to read more poems by Essex Hemphill.
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