What shaped people?

By Amy Li
For Mr. Kemp
ENG 3UI
July 9, 2010

1
 People’s views are often shaped by the other people’s opinions and

comments. Although people think they are individuals, sometimes other people’s

comments may lead them into a successful future. However, the influencing

factors such as circumstances or experiences are a key role in the development

of an individual. This process can work in a positive or negative manner. In the

poem “Scratch and Dent Dreams,” Eric Darby demonstrates how the experiences

and circumstances influence the behavior, opinions and dreams of people.

The values and views of each society influence changes in people such as

their behaviour, and sometimes turning them into wealthy individuals. With the

continuous changes and development of the various elements of our society,

people become limited if they do not have accessible money. Darby explains,

“I’m just tired of seeing every day people/screaming through these doors

convinced/they’re gonna hock even their littlest hopes and dreams to fund their

401Ks” (Darby, line 73-75). Here, people give up their dreams or put them

dreams and money for exchange. They become influenced, thus changing their

mind sent, and later also influence other individuals to think similarly. Verbal and

physical behaviour whether subtle or explicit may change the direction an

individual takes also affecting their motivation.

The opinions of someone can dramatically alter the motivations of another

person. Darby presents two children who sell ice cream on the side of the street

and when they are told that they are going to fail, the children stop selling ice

cream. For example, “Then you go down the block/to where those two kids are

packing up/their peanut butter enterprise/because somebody told them they’d

2
fail” (line 63-66). Although they enjoy selling ice cream, someone may have told

them that selling ice cream would not bring them success so they stopped. Also,

Darby explores the positive influences an individual may have on another by

giving them choices. He writes, “show her [Momma Genuine] what I gave

ya/ she’ll know exactly what you need/… get to work making it all fit./ You won’t

have any directions or factory number tabs but don’t panic, /there’s a hundred

ways to do it right” (line 39-44). Here the character of the poem is positively

motivated because there are many different ways to solve a problem and he is

given the opportunity to figure out how to use the tool. An individual’s motivation

can push them forward or push them back, towards their dreams.

Another factor that influences a child is their parents or guardians who

through their actions and experiences influence the child’s dreams. Each child's

dreams vary. Darby describes that, “There’s no metaphor there its just good ice-

cream” (line 34). A child’s dreams are simplistic. The child is just trying to do

what they see as best and most pleasing to them. On the other hand, a child also

does not want to disappoint their parents but rather please them and may give up

their original dreams to please them. Some parents only care about reality; there

is no value in dreams to them. Children who are primarily influenced by their

parents and give up their dreams, forget the past and look forward to what their

parents see best for them. Similarly Darby writes, “So here’a what ya do, take a

look around/pick out what reminds you of places you wanted to be/but gave up

on going and jam it all in this big box called ‘now’”(line 35-37). He suggests that

dreams and speculations can be beneficial, but ultimately reality, the “now” as he

3
states, is what is critical. Thus, no matter the situation an individual is in, they

may be influenced, but people have choices and options on the road to their

dreams.

Each day people develop goals and people give up their goals because of

the various influencing factors. The behaviour, the opinions and the dreams an

individual develops, like in Eric Darby’s poem may shift, however, the individual

that will have to live with the situation is the person themselves. Thus, each

human must become conscious of the people, places and situations that

influence them since the life one leads is one that they are ultimately responsible

for.

4
 Work Cited:
Darby, Eric. "Scratch and Dent Dreams." Youtube. EricDarby, 6 Feb. 2007. Web. 7 July

2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfTa4B7wQ_8>.