In JJ Kampf's "The Modern Prometheus", the speaker sets a story like tone as he uses italics to switch back and forth between characters in his allusion to the ancient myth of Prometheus. The speaker opens up with imagery describing a modern day setting as he says "Soft pajamas lay idle in the closet", letting the reader know that this poem will most likely take place in a home with children. As the poem goes on, the speaker develops the plot of the classic babysitter that lets the children have fun and have what they desire saying "They laugh, they play, they cry/They litter the living room with toys", despite the fact that "their mother and father would scream sourly if they saw." The speaker thereby shows how "Johnny didn't care/because they smiled", as he cared about the childrens' wellbeing. In this scenario, reader can imply that the babysitter is like Prometheus, the children are the people of the world, and the parents are God. The babysitter understands the children's wishes and wants to fulfill them, despite what their strict parents may want. This is just like the story of Prometheus, as Prometheus stole the fire for the good of the people, regardless of the fact that God did not allow for him to take it. The speaker's use of italics helps the reader understand the distinction between the times that the babysitter is speaking and the narrator is speaking, like in the example " Bedtime clothes right away, and no TV for either of them. Midnight looms like New Year’s Eve."
Excellent analysis!
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