This poem is a ‘twin cinema’ the text can be read vertically (down each column), horizontally (across both columns), and hysterically.
Within this article ‘Gone Viral’ I saw a distinct contrast between hope and fear within the two sides to this article. This perspective differential shows how the extreme of how humans react to a pandemic of sorts. As can be seen in the present, COVID-19 is a pandemic, and most countries are in lockdown to prevent further international spread. Some have hope, but most are fearful of the impact that this virus could have upon our world today. Neither is necessarily correct; there are many ways of looking at ideas. With our modern technology and social media, there are signs of misuse of information, false rumors, and rude messages that have to be stopped. It’s imperative that you verify any information you post- if you are posting you’re own work or resharing someone else’s.
The poem also talks about how fear is worse than the actual pandemic, and misinformation can make something worse than it really is. The Gone side is more like an over-exaggerated ‘literal’ text- such as a news report.
The author also expresses within the hope (Virus) side- there is a collaborative aspect, and if we work together we can rid of these ‘lethal’ virus. There is also a sense of discrimination, where the author says “media sources that paint foreign visitors and immigrants as disease-ridden virus-spreaders?” This is occurring in daily life, for example, where Asians are being beaten up just because people have this ‘media painted’ sense that Asians have it and they will bring it and kill in other countries. As if all Asians have it- they think of it as ‘them’ – ‘they’ have it and ‘they’ are spreading it while the virus actually is random. The media has also painted this as the author says “anyone coughing or sneezing, be on your guard” As if everyone who ever coughs, clears the throat or sneezes has the coronavirus. This is the problem of xenophobia. At the end of this, if there is an end- we might not be able to work together again- the unity is gone. This xenophobia has integrated into society and it will be very hard to integrate into society.
We scramble for masks – Scramble indicates a sense of mass panic, a chaotic scene and something that is occurring at a fast pace. This creates a sense of people are trying to find masks. Masks to hind behind- they want to hide themselves from this virus, instead of combatting the virus directly. Being like Talismans- masks are now very rare, hard to find, and a lot more precious, both protecting and hiding themselves from the virus. Xenophobia is the fear of people- the author seems to be pushing that people are not wearing the masks to prevent getting the virus, but saying ‘i’m afraid of you’ and being scared of other people. Unlike a doctor or a frontline worker who is wearing a mask and needs to.
The colour of blue and white relates to the colours of the World Health Organisation- this unites everyone, the virus does not target specific people, and can target anyone, any ethnicity, any race and, anyone. The blue and white juxtaposition in the title also shows how the fear has gone viral and the caution and responsibility is gone through the use of the blue and white colours on each other.
An interesting example of the fear being worse than the virus itself can be seen where in Singapore, for a day or two- panic buying occurred. People suddenly thought there would be no more food available and things so everyone rushed to the store to purchase food. This only made the problem worse, as people who needed it the most no longer had immediate access to food stocks.
Talisman– Charm for good luck Xenophobes-Plagues of terror, people who dislike
The article can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yVLvHSx2taims1TpNBzq7QlQm6x8z0fa/view
