Another City: An Empty Classroom

 

Monica Garcia

Professor Kitty Nard

English 113B

9 March 2013

 

 

 

Summary of Another City: An Empty Classroom, Lincoln Heights

The poem an “An Empty Classroom” by William Archila takes place in a classroom in Lincoln Heights. This poem is written by the eyes of the teacher inside the classroom. He explains how the students are all reading and eager to learn. He also explains how the classroom becomes empty by the sound of sirens.

My Understanding

After understanding who the Author is and where he comes from I got a better understanding of the poem. The students in the poem are immigrants or kids of immigrant parents. The author states that the students have a chance of growing up into poverty if they do not obtain better education. These students are more likely to become construction workers or work with sewing machines just like their parents. The setting, Lincoln Heights, is known as “ghetto” and under privileged.

Questions I Still Have

What is the author trying to say about the sirens? Does it connect with the rain or the setting? Why does the author speak about the classroom becoming empty and later speaking about students in their seats?