In mathematics, a function is used to measure how the a certain change in a quantity affects a different quantity. f(x), or “the function of x” is used to describe how the argument, x, affects the value or function of the output, y. The value of the function will always depend on the variable that is input. The members of a set, or the input, are usually put inside a pair of parenthesis. Anything can be a part of a set to describe the function, as long as it affects the outcome of the function. f(x) is read as the function of “x”, f(3) is read as the function of “three”, or f(apple) is read as the function of “apple”.
Percival Everett uses function connotation to format his book of poems, “re: f(gesture).” Having an input set of variables implies that these will affect the outcome of the function. The titles of the poems in Percival Everett’s book are written as, “(Zulus),” “(Body),” and “(Logic),” implying that they should be placed inside of the original function, “f(gesture).” If this is the case, the titles of the poems would be read as, “Regarding the Function of Zulus,” “Regarding the Function of the Body,” and “Regarding the Function of Logic.” This tiny detail of formatting may have been the publisher’s decision, however if this is was intentionally done by Everett it may help the reader better understand the meaning behind his poems.
With “(Zulus),” many of the allusions he describes may be related to the Anglo-Zulu War and the Zulu defeat by the British and the culture of Zulus. The poem “(Body)” describes the body in biology terms that a reader may be unfamiliar with if they had not taken a anatomy course. He uses this terms to describe what happens to the body during sex in a very clinical way, almost taking all of the feeling of out sex. If the title of the poem is supposed to read “Regarding the Function of the Body,” it would make sense for Everett to write the poem this way. Evolutionarily, an organism’s only goal is to have the highest reproductive fitness possible. Reproductive fitness is the organism’s ability to pass on its genes to its offspring, and having offspring with the best genes has the highest reproductive fitness. So in this way, the body’s only evolutionary function is to have sex to pass on genes. In “(Logic),” the speaker discusses how we can never really be sure of anything. I think was the speaker is trying to imply is that it is important not measure things based on objects that can change, but instead abstract concepts, because if we base assumptions off things that can change. Like how in the 6th section, the speaker refers to that seven men can die, but not seven. I think that this means that even though seven things can disappear, the concept of the number seven can never be destroyed.
The titles of the poems being in parentheses may just be how the book was formatted, however I think it helps the reader understand the function of the poems. By making the titles a set, it helps to show the reader the function of the poem before they read it.
If you’re interested in learning more about mathematic functions, here’s a great video explaining how they work!