Part 1 of Essay
In the poem “The Vietnam Wall” the reader joins the poet Alberto Rios (1952) on a visit to the Vietnam War Memorial. Rios portrays first-hand the powerful emotional effect the wall has on everyone who visits. “The Vietnam Wall” can be found in Discovering Literature edited by Hans Guth and Gabriele Rico pages 541-542. “Th ....

Part 2 of Essay
.... where.( ll.1-5) We have all experienced the burning and the tears brought to our eyes by the sting of an onion. By use of this comparison Rios has given the reader an everyday event that describes the uncontrollable up-welling of emotions one experiences when visiting the wall. Rios uses this technique frequently and effectively throughout this poem. “The Vietnam Wall” tells the story of the poets visit to the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D. C.. Rios takes the reader with him on his journey down the ....