User:Mscampoli/sandbox

Joy Harjo uses symbolism through out her poetry many times expressing her beliefs and values. She also uses her personal experiences to shape her writing. In one of her many famous poems titled "She Had Some Horses" she uses many different forms of symbolism. A horse is a very important animal in Native American culture and is used as a symbol many times in this culture. This poem is four sections and they are each arranged to compliment one another. In this poem, Harjo uses sounds and rhythm to energize her poetry. Young stated, "The many symbols of each repetition of a horse represented the experiences of the Native American woman, by starting each line with "She had horses" helped strengthen the Natives identity." Harjo used this distinct repetition to show a woman in a physical state of being as a very strong animal. She also used this distinct imagery to tell a story of a Native woman who had been victimized but showed her survival through an animal. Also, in the poem Harjo sends a clear message to the reader from the very beginning by using a repetitive style. Although, she leaves the overall meaning of the poem up to the reader to decipher. "This poem is all about the people in Joy's life and she referred to them all as horses, with a specific trait or characteristic following that. They were all the same but at the same time, different." Harjo is using horses in her poem to compare herself to all of the people in her community. She is using horses in her poem to explain how she feels in her community with others around her. Overall, through out Harjos literature her poetry continues to move people of all ages. This poem, can be appreciated by a student or even a child because of Harjos writing. Morse states, "Harjo's poems ache with grit, grief and nature. Her lines are curt and heavy but they construct delicate stories." In this poem, Harjo explains her life growing up while using a very important animal in Native American culture that may not seem as sacred to others who do not know of the heritage. Harjo uses symbolism to express her hardships and values.