Puckett

​ LANGSTON HUGHES Langston Hughes is known as one of the greatest poets and writers of the Harlem Renaissance. He felt strongly that racial inequality should be addressed and he did so throughout most of his poetry. His writings included many of the black cultural traditions that he learned from his grandmother. Hughes began to publish his poetry in two famous African American periodicals the //Opportunity// and the //Crisis//. He published his first volume of poems in 1926 known as //The Weary Blues//. Hughes became a public figure while other Negro artists were beginning to lose notice due to other events such as The Great Depression. He remained strong with his outspoken voice that kept him noticed and became a fan of radical politics. The FBI later accused him of being a security risk for his involvement with communism. This accusation led to Hughes later poetry being patriotic and focused on his reputation as a good American. He will forever be remember as one of the great poets of the Harlem Renaissance who was not afraid to say what many were often too afraid to write.

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

I've known rivers: I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.

 My soul has grown deep like the rivers.  I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young. I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.

 I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it. I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

 I've known rivers: Ancient, dusky rivers.

 My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

One of Langston Hughes most famous poems of his career, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” was written when he was seventeen years old and became a blatant interpretation of the effects of slavery on African Americans. Written on a train headed down to Mexico City, Hughes wrote this poem after looking out the train window spotting the Mississippi river and recalling the stories his grandmother had told him of the days of slavery (“The Negro Speaks of Rivers”). Hughes begins the poem by reflecting on the significance of the rivers “ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood” (Hughes 1089) which he uses as a metaphor to represent his ancestors. For he himself does not know the rivers of ancient times such as the “Congo” or “Euphrates” but he has heard the stories and considers them his own. “[His] soul has grown deep like the rivers” (1089) because his people have been affected for years by this injustice and though slavery has been abolished the inequality still exists. Therefore, he is a part of these rivers just as his mother and grandmother and those before them were a part of these rivers. Only something so wrong and painful causes a soul to grow. The rivers have been there since the beginning of time and have witnessed the selling of slaves and death of slaves as they have floated down this river. Throughout this poem Hughes is retelling the story of African Americans and how they arrived in America. Hughes has not literally “bathed in the Euphrates”, “built [a] hut near the Congo” nor “looked upon the Nile” (1089), but his ancestors before him have. Hughes speaks of these memories as a reminder to both he and others that the long and vigorous journey to freedom has not been easy nor should it be taken lightly. Hughes heard “the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans” (1089) because Lincoln was appalled by what he encountered the brutal treatment and selling of slaves, on his trip (“The Negro Speaks of Rivers”). His grandmother had once told Hughes “to be sold down the Mississippi was one of the worst things that could happen to a Negro slave” (“The Negro Speaks of Rivers”) so when he passed the Mississippi on the train to Mexico, Hughes felt a humbling connection with this river. The “muddy bosom” turning “golden in the sunset” is possibly representing the change that has taken place for black people over time. While life experiences were dark and hard at first with the abolishment of slavery a glimpse of light appeared for the former slaves. Not to say the former slaves did not have tough times ahead for inequality I believe will always be an issue in this country but Hughes had a way of looking to the brighter side of life’s challenges and he points that out with this line of his poem. The repetition of “My soul has grown deep like the rivers” (Hughes 1089) reiterates the depth and profound impact slavery had on the black community for it affected generations to come and will always be a part of who they were and where they have come from since then.

"The Negro Speaks of Rivers". 31 October 2009 <[]>

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Let America be America Again Let America be America again.  Let it be the dream it used to be.  Let it be the pioneer on the plain  Seeking a home where he himself is free.

 (America never was America to me.)

 Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed--  Let it be that great strong land of love  Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> That any man be crushed by one above.

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> (It never was America to me.)

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> O, let my land be a land where Liberty <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Is crowned with no false patriotic <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">wreath <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">, <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> But opportunity is real, and life is free, <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Equality is in the air we breathe.

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> (There's never been equality for me, <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.")

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark? media type="youtube" key="lrqeywXhKfY" height="344" width="425" align="right" <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart, <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> I am the red man driven from the land, <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek-- <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> And finding only the same old stupid plan <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Of <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">dog <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> I am the young man, full of strength and hope, <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Tangled in that ancient endless chain <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land! <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need! <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Of work the men! Of take the pay! <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Of owning everything for one's own greed!

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> I am the worker sold to the machine. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> I am the Negro, servant to you all. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> I am the people, humble, hungry, mean-- <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Hungry yet today despite the dream. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Beaten yet today--O, Pioneers! <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> I am the man who never got ahead, <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> The poorest worker bartered through the years.

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Yet I'm the one who dreamt our basic dream <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> In the Old World while still a serf of kings, <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true, <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> That even yet its mighty daring sings <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> That's made America the land it has become. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> O, I'm the man who sailed those early seas <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> In search of what I meant to be my home-- <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> For I'm the one who left dark Ireland's shore, <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Poland's plain, and England's grassy lea, And torn from Black Africa's strand I came To build a "homeland of the free."

The free?

Who said the free? Not me? Surely not me? The millions on relief today? The millions shot down when we strike? The millions who have nothing for our pay? For all the dreams we've dreamed And all the songs we've sung And all the hopes we've held And all the flags we've hung, The millions who have nothing for our pay-- Except the dream that's almost dead today.

O, let America be America again-- The land that never has been yet-- And yet must be--the land where every man is free. The land that's mine--the poor man's, Indian's, Negro's, ME-- Who made America, Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain, Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain, Must bring back our mighty dream again.

Sure, call me any ugly name you choose-- The steel of freedom does not stain. From those who live like leeches on the people's lives, We must take back our land again, America!

O, yes, I say it plain, America never was America to me,

“Let America be America Again” was one of Hughes later poems written after he was suspected of being a security risk to America. He was eager to reveal the inequalities in America not only to the Negro population but also to other minorities. America was the “dream land” many minorities expected to give them a new life. However, for many of them they faced hardships never imagined. Hughes points out that America should “…be the dream the dreamers dreamed” where there would be no hierarchy only freedom. He dreams of a day when “<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Liberty is crowned with no false patriotic wreath” and America really becomes the land of the free. However, Hughes states “America was never America to me” revealing although he lives here he does not get to take part in the supposedly “great life” America has to offer. He repeats this line throughout the poem reemphasizing his point that life for minorities and the lower class society is not the same as it is for those of wealthier status and white skin. Hughes speaks of what was promised to them saying “ <span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">But opportunity is real, and life is free/Equality is in the air we breathe” in America. But in the next lines Hughes again points out how he and his fellow people are left out stating, “There's never been equality for me”, Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free." Hughes is witnessing the hypocrisy of this great Nation that is making a promise it never intended to keep. An interesting insight to this poem is that Hughes brings forth the inequalities not only given to African Americans but also to the “poor white”, “red man”, “farmer”, “machine worker”, and “immigrants” who full of hope were willing to work hard for their reward yet they were “Tangled in that ancient endless chain/Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land”, by those who did not know what equality meant. They only knew how to look out for themselves. James Presley stated “ The American Dream is bruised and often made a travesty for Negroes and other underdogs […], but the American Dream does exist” (Presley). Hughes very strongly wanted everyone to experience the American dream so often talked about and it was this passion that was the fire behind this poem. In reality, America for Hughes was never America at all according to the fallacies given to people of low status in search for the American Dream. Hughes had a vision; a vision to see his country rise above the demographics which separated it and that is what he portrayed throughout his poetry.

Presely, James."The American Dream of Langston Hughes". //Southwest Review//(1963).1 November 2009 <[]>.

<span style="font-family: Broadway; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Dreams Deferred media type="youtube" key="pZPNQK3k8Yo" height="344" width="425" align="right" <span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';">What happens to a dream deferred? <span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';"> Does it dry up <span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';"> like a raisin in the sun? <span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';"> Or fester like a sore-- <span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';"> And then run? <span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';"> Does it stink like rotten meat? <span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';"> Or crust and sugar over-- <span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';"> like a syrupy sweet? <span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';"> Maybe it just sags <span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';"> like a heavy load. <span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';"> Or does it explode?

<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> In Langston Hughes “Dream Deferred”, Hughes uses the literary device simile throughout the poem as seen by statements such as “like a raisin in the sun” and “like rotten meat”. Through these similes Hughes brings out the negative effects of ignoring a dream of the heart. Hughes begins this poem with the question “What happens to a dream deferred?” I think readers of this poem would naturally expect Hughes to answer his addressed question upon reading the rest of the poem. However, Hughes only asks more questions which at the surface my not seem weird and make no sense. Asking the question “Does it dry up/Like a raisin in the sun?” is a redundant question because raisins are already a dried piece of fruit. However, by leaving it in the sun it becomes shriveled and inedible no longer useful. I believe Hughes is saying just as the raisin has dried up so will the dream if not pursued. If the dream “festers like a sore” this probably means it has become infected maybe by negative thoughts or other hopeless situations. It could mean the dream has taken a turn from the prosperous dream it could have been. I believe the dream would “stink like rotten meat” if the dream has been ignored for too long because just as meat goes bad when left unattended so do dreams that are ignored or unused. If the dream is to “crust over” this means it, like the rotten meat, has been left unattended and has formed into something it originally was not meant to be. Hughes probably is referring to the dream as “sag[ging] like a heavy load” to relay the message that dreams can become burdens if not taken care of properly. Having to carry around a burden everyday causes exhaustion and the dreamer could become emotionally burned out from not addressing his/her dream. Finally, “does it [the dream] explode”? Hughes is suggesting the worst outcome of a dream deferred with this use of explosion. The dreamer obviously has become overwhelmed with the burden, disease, and neglect of his/her dream that he/she sees no other way to deal with this pain than to explode. Hughes is probably stating this is a total loss of hope and maybe even death with his use of the term “explode”. Hughes wanted readers to realize the significance of a dream and how important it is in life to pursue the dream for if left nonexistent the outcome could be one of devastation.

<span style="font-family: Broadway; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Countee Cullen Countee Cullen a very famous but standout poet of the Harlem Renaissance is best known for his attempt to unite both white and black poets and have African American poetry be considered as American poetry. However, “he felt a responsibility to write about being black” (Cullen 1107) but his style of writing was quite different and more traditional than those artists who took inspiration from jazz and modern culture. Cullen and Langston Hughes were said to be at a disagreement over the true definition of a great poet. He married W.E.B. Du Bois’s daughter, Nina, but the marriage was short lived due to Cullen’s attraction to men. At the end of his career he ended up teaching at Fredrick Douglass Junior High School having little success as a writer since his early fame. Cullen will forever be remembered for his traditional writing style while incorporating racism and inequality into his work.

Cullen, Countee. “Countee Cullen”. __The Norton Anthology of American__ __Literature__. Ed. Nina Baym. New York:W.W. Norton & Company. Inc. 2008. 1107.

The Wise

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Dead men are wisest, for they know <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> How far the roots of flowers go, <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> How long a seed must rot to grow. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Dead men alone bear frost and rain <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> On throbless heart and heatless brain, <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> And feel no stir of joy or pain. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Dead men alone are satiate; <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> They sleep and dream and have no weight, <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> To curb their rest, of love or hate. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Strange, men should flee their company, <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Or think me strange who long to be <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Wrapped in their cool immunity.

The speaker of the poem “The Wise” begins by making a claim that takes many readers by surprise by saying “Dead men are [the] wisest” of people. This is an ironic statement to make because the dead have no brain function making logical thinking impossible. Therefore, readers get the feeling that Cullen’s is not so much referring to the physical aspect of the dead portraying conscious thought but is referring to their souls. The dead get a visual that the living does not encounter and that is to see “How far the roots of flowers go/How long a seed must rot to grow”.Cullen I believe is revealing to the readers that the dead have a view and a different perspective to life because they are looking from a different direction. People on earth can only look down at the flowers and have no visual of the root unless dug out whereas the dead get to envision the root first hand. Cullen goes on to reveal that the dead do not experience feelings as the living do for the dead have a “throbless heart and heartless brain” that know no “joy or pain”. Cullen is hinting at the advantages of being dead in the fact that the dead do not get caught up in emotion and are satisfied being alone. Their dreams “have no weight” and do not need “To curb their rest, of love and hate” for they have no conscious mind to take things into perspective. The ending of this poem has been said to be misinterpreted as the speaker wanting to die because he states“[I] long to be/Wrapped in their cool immunity”. However, I think what he is really referring to here is wanting to be a part of the way the dead think or lack of thinking I should say because life would be much less complicated if emotions and thoughts never came into play. I think as an African American Cullen was pointing out how equality would be what the dead believed for thinking and judgment and emotions would never evolve. However, as Cullen points out with this almost magical poem equality will be hard to reach or maybe impossible just as conscious thinking for the dead is never in reach.

Tableau Locked arm in arm they cross the way The black boy and the white, The golden splendor of the day The sable pride of night.

From lowered blinds the dark folk stare And here the fair folk talk, Indignant that these two should dare In unison to walk.

Oblivious to look and word They pass, and see no wonder That lightning brilliant as a sword Should blaze the path of thunder

Countee Cullen wrote “Tableau” in the midst of his career and although he wanted black poets to be considered as equals to American poets he still felt compelled to write about the racism present in society. He achieves this with his extraordinary use of metaphors throughout the short poem “Tableau”. This poem begins with two boys “Locked arm in arm” walking down a street. This seems normal until the reader discovers one of the boys is white while the other black. The two boys have caused uproar in the town causing “the dark folk [to] stare” and “the fair folk [to] talk”. This is due to the fact these boys “dare in unison to walk” where they are viewed by all. Cullen is revealing to his readers the innocence of a child for they do not understand prejudices nor do they see color, but only a friend to accompany them on adventures. Dramatic irony is used by Cullen, where as readers, we are aware of the times and the racial separation while these boys are “oblivious to look and word” given by the adults. Cullen addresses the difference in skin color by two beautiful well worded metaphors the first referring to the while boy calling him “The golden splendor of the day”. This child shines bright throughout the day and is seen by all. The second metaphor refers to the black boy, “The sable pride of the night”, a strong description, yet it cannot be overlooked that the boy is portrayed as night referring to his dark skin but also to the fact he is not seen by all and overlooked by most of the white society. My favorite lines of this poem come at the end when Cullen writes “lightening brilliant as a sword/Should blaze the path of thunder” again comparing different occurrences, yet they are dependent on each other. Lightening being bright represents the white boy while thunder being dark is representation of the black boy. Although, lightening is bright and thunder dark these two are totally dependent on each other and work together for one cannot have lightening without thunder nor thunder without lightening somewhere around. Cullen is revealing the importance of races working together and getting along believing that if more adults had the attitude and innocence of a child the anger and upheaval involved around race would vanquish.

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