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Yusef Komunyakaa Facing It Analysis

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The Importance of Accepting Truth In “Facing It” Yusef Komunyakaa discusses the importance of accepting harsh truths as a tool for healing and personal growth. The concept is also found In Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, where the topic of accountability plays a major role. Both pieces underline the idea of confronting reality, no matter how difficult, to self-improve.
In Sophocles' Oedipus the King, the protagonist's denial of truth has everlasting consequences, emphasizing the importance of facing reality. "Creon is not your downfall, no, you are your own," warns Tiresias of Oedipus (Sophocles 432, pg. 181). Despite Oedipus' tireless pursuit of the truth in order to disprove his prophecy, his denial only brings him closer to his fate as …show more content…

In Oedipus the King, Oedipus is forced to face the reality of his identity and the actions that he committed. The quote
“O god- all come true, all burst to light! O light- now let me look my last on you!
I stand revealed at last– cursed in my birth, cursed in marriage, cursed in the lives I cut down with these hands!” [Sophocles 1307-1310, pg. 232]
Oedipus emphasizes how his whole identity had been built on false beliefs, believed to be a hero, the savior of Thebes, a man with noble birth. However, the truth is that he’s a murderer and a product of incest which disturbs his whole identity. This forces him to evaluate his beliefs and Identity and how accepting the truth challenges him deeply due to his past beliefs. Similarly, in Komunyakaa’s “Facing It” the speaker struggles to come to terms with the reality of war, his experiences, and finally the ultimate effect it has on his identity. The quote
“My black face fades, hiding inside the black granite.
I said I wouldn't, dammit: No tears.
I'm stone. I'm flesh.” …show more content…

This is a painful realization of experiencing shame for his crimes and the reality of his actions. This is Oedipus's first step toward personal growth. Similarly, In “Facing It,” the speaker states, “A white vet's image floats closer to me, then his pale eyes look through mine. I'm a window.” [22-23] In this quote the speaker feels a connection to a veteran acknowledging the shared experiences that they have and the line “I’m a window” is the speaker allowing himself to be open and vulnerable to the truth and his emotions at last. This quote highlights the Idea that confronting truth is difficult and a distressing experience, but it can lead to personal growth and inner peace. By acknowledging his comrade in war he is opening himself to a deeper understanding of himself and his place in the world despite the pain he might face In his journey. Both works highlight the acceptance of truth can be a challenging and distressing process, but however that it is necessary for personal growth and inner

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