Guiding Questions
1. Author Information: How are these poets similar? How are they different? What was each writer's view on race?
- These poets are similar because they are all from the Harlem Renaissance time period and are African Americans. The difference between the three poets is that they grew up in different places. Jean Toomer's view on race was that he despised the idea of race together. He was more on the unity of human race, not by skin color. Cullen used poetry as a tool to break racial barriers. Bontemps focused more on the theme of justice.
"Song of the Son" by Jean Toomer
2. Lines 1-5: What aspects of the first stanza reflect the fact that this is called a "song" in its title?
- The repetition of lines on the first stanza makes the poem a "song".
3. Lines 9-10: How are lines 9 and 10 different? What is the impact on meaning of the author's choice?
- Line 9 talks about how his father was absent most of the time and is willing to give more of his to his son. As for line 10, it talks about how his father before it was too late.
4. Lines 16-23: What metaphor is in these lines? Explain its meaning. What is being compared to what?
- Metaphor: "O Negro slaves, dark purple ripened plums,"
- Negro slaves are being compared to dark ripened plums.
"From the Dark Tower" by Countee Cullen
5. Lines 1-8: Explain what problem is presented in this octave.
- The problem presented in the octave is telling us that African Americans were treated unfairly and is overworking compared to non-colored people.
6. Lines 9-14: How does the sestet resolve the problem introduced in the octave?
- The sestet tells us that African Americans decided to wait for the time they'll be treated equally as the non-colored people.
7. Lines 1-14: Compare Cullen's poem to "Song of the Son" by Toomer.
- "Song of the Son," expresses the struggle African Americans had to go through while "From the Dark Tower," talks about they were treated unfairly and terribly.
"A Black Man Talks of Reaping" by Arna Bontemps
8. Lines 1-8: What injustice is Bontemps discussing via the metaphor of sowing and reaping?
- The injustice Bontemps speaks of is that although the man works, sows, and reaps tremendous amounts, he is only rewarded a handful of what he has worked for.
9. Lines 9-12: Compare what the speakers in "From the Dark Tower" and "A Black Man talks of Reaping" say about who will reap the benefit of the seeds sown.
- Both speakers in the poems say that the white men will reap the benefit of the seeds sown by their slaves.
- These poets are similar because they are all from the Harlem Renaissance time period and are African Americans. The difference between the three poets is that they grew up in different places. Jean Toomer's view on race was that he despised the idea of race together. He was more on the unity of human race, not by skin color. Cullen used poetry as a tool to break racial barriers. Bontemps focused more on the theme of justice.
"Song of the Son" by Jean Toomer
2. Lines 1-5: What aspects of the first stanza reflect the fact that this is called a "song" in its title?
- The repetition of lines on the first stanza makes the poem a "song".
3. Lines 9-10: How are lines 9 and 10 different? What is the impact on meaning of the author's choice?
- Line 9 talks about how his father was absent most of the time and is willing to give more of his to his son. As for line 10, it talks about how his father before it was too late.
4. Lines 16-23: What metaphor is in these lines? Explain its meaning. What is being compared to what?
- Metaphor: "O Negro slaves, dark purple ripened plums,"
- Negro slaves are being compared to dark ripened plums.
"From the Dark Tower" by Countee Cullen
5. Lines 1-8: Explain what problem is presented in this octave.
- The problem presented in the octave is telling us that African Americans were treated unfairly and is overworking compared to non-colored people.
6. Lines 9-14: How does the sestet resolve the problem introduced in the octave?
- The sestet tells us that African Americans decided to wait for the time they'll be treated equally as the non-colored people.
7. Lines 1-14: Compare Cullen's poem to "Song of the Son" by Toomer.
- "Song of the Son," expresses the struggle African Americans had to go through while "From the Dark Tower," talks about they were treated unfairly and terribly.
"A Black Man Talks of Reaping" by Arna Bontemps
8. Lines 1-8: What injustice is Bontemps discussing via the metaphor of sowing and reaping?
- The injustice Bontemps speaks of is that although the man works, sows, and reaps tremendous amounts, he is only rewarded a handful of what he has worked for.
9. Lines 9-12: Compare what the speakers in "From the Dark Tower" and "A Black Man talks of Reaping" say about who will reap the benefit of the seeds sown.
- Both speakers in the poems say that the white men will reap the benefit of the seeds sown by their slaves.
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