As many modern words, “bully” has numerous definitions, some of which has ceased to be well-known and are no longer commonly used. The first definition is “someone who frightens or hurts another person, especially over a period of time” (Bully). The second definition is “someone who uses their influence or status to threaten or frighten someone else in order to get what they want” (Bully). The adjective definition of bully means very good or excellent (Define: bully). At the same time, “bully” exists as a fixed phrase meaning “used for praising someone in a way that shows you are not at all impressed with what they have done” (Bully for someone).
The poem “Bully” by Martin Espada is comprised of four stanzas, which are not of equal size, as is the case with most poems. The stanzas are separated by meaning. The first one serves as the exposition, describing the environment, introducing Theodore Roosevelt and his worldview. The second stanza is a juxtaposition of modern reality to Roosevelt’s nationalism. The next stanza emphasizes the historical irony of Roosevelt’s statue being surrounded by the people he had despised. The final one focuses on the disrespect the student show towards his statue, which is proportionate to the attitude he had shown to their ancestors.
The most striking element of the statue’s description is the accentuation of Roosevelt’s warmongering demeanor. The poem presents him as a historic aggressor against the Spanish during the Spanish-American war. However, as his statue is being desecrated by the Spanish children, there is poetic symbolism of the bully getting his comeuppance. Probably the most characteristic line is the one containing the Victorian mustache, which symbolizes the past conservative worldview and its unpopularity in the modern Spanish world.
Works Cited
“Bully.” Macmillan Dictionary, Web.
“Bully for someone.” Macmillan Dictionary, Web.
“Define: bully.” Google Search, Web.