Miguel Pinpanero's Ethos

Miguel Piñero believes that if any person were to die, they should be buried in the place where they became who they were. Piñero implies that the place where the most obstacles were overcome is the place that should be called “home.” According to lines 29-31, the speaker says, “A thief, a junkie I’ve been committed every known sin Jews and Gentiles..” (Piñero). In 1963, Piñero committed a burglary and went to prison. After encountering life in prison, he became a heroin addict. Through harsh experiences, Piñero became highly influenced his poetry. Piñero establishes pathos by using the words “I” and “sin” to evoke strong emotion. To make the reader fully understand his point of view, Piñero incorporates small clips of his experiences to illustrate his licentious life of petty crime.

Furthermore, Miguel Piñero shows ethos by questioning the proudness and pride of coming from a city filled of crime and fear. According to lines 43-46, the speaker says, “So here I am, look at me I stand proud

According to lines 20-23, the speaker says, “There's no other place for me to be, there's no other place that I can see, there's no other town around that brings you up or keeps you down..” (Piñero). The speaker cannot see himself in any other setting. Thus, to him, it is logical to have his ashes be scattered around a place where he suffered, yet learned the most. Piñero believes the sinful and sinister places are the ones that make it the perfect place to reside after death. According to lines 61-65, the speaker says, “So please when I die . . .don't take me far away, keep me near by, take my ashes and scatter them thru out the Lower East Side . . .” (Piñero). To use the word “please” and “don’t,” Piñero is exhibiting a strong connection and tie with this place, with a location that means nothing to someone, but very sacred to