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Pp. 13-28

• This book is a collection of free verse poems that have themes of regret, acceptance, and solitude.
• Bukowski focuses on poems about Chinaski, his alter ego, and often discusses his father.

Pp. 29-50

• Chinaski seems to defend a listless and lazy lifestyle in "Education," where he narrates a time when he resolved to learn nothing in school.
• Chinaski has a lover named Jane with whom he often fights and drinks.

Pp. 51-72

• Loss plays a significant theme in some of the poems, including the fear of becoming obsolete.
• Chinaski views solitude as a blessing, especially in the poem "Rift," where his girlfriend leaves him alone. He is not especially bothered by it.

Pp. 73-93

• Chinaski seems to show distrust for humanity, and many of the poems in this section feature people considered untrustworthy and vile.
• Chinaski shows a dismissive attitude toward his critics because he sees...

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This section contains 544 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample