Journal: Smokey the Bear Sutra by Gary Snyder

It seems that Gary Snyder has used Smokey the Bear in order to support his political beliefs such as when he says, “Trampling underfoot wasteful freeways and needless suburbs; smashing the worms of capitalism and totalitarianism;” and also when he says “Wearing the blue overalls symbolic of slaves and laborers, the countless men oppressed by a civilization that claims to save but only destroys.” He uses small gestures from a character and gives them radical meanings. He gives Smokey the Bear a kind, enlightenment in some points like when he says “Smokey the Bear will Illuminate those who would help him,” but then goes on and give the character a violent side directed to people who don’t agree saying “HE WILL PUT THEM OUT.” I think this is an ironic thing to do because he explains that he doesn’t like totalitarianism in the United States but I think in a way he is being as authoritative in his writing as a totalitarian would be over a country.