'Encouragement' by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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Who dat knockin' at de do'?
Why, Ike Johnson, -- yes, fu' sho!
Come in, Ike. I's mighty glad
You come down. I t'ought you's
mad
At me 'bout de othah night,
An' was stayin' 'way fu' spite.
Say, now, was you mad fu' true
W'en I kin' o' laughed at you?
Speak up, Ike, an' 'spress yo'se'f.
'T ain't no use a-lookin' sad,
An' a-mekin' out you's mad;
Ef you's gwine to be so glum,
Wondah why you evah come.
I don't lak nobody 'roun'
Dat jes' shet dey mouf an' frown,--
Oh, now, man, don't act a dunce!
Cain't you talk?I tol' you once,
Speak up, Ike, an' 'spress yo'se'f.
Wha'd you come hyeah fu' to-night?
Body'd t'ink yo' haid ain't right.
I's done all dat I kin do,--
Dressed perticler, jes' fu' you;
Reckon I'd 'a' bettah wo'
My ol' ragged calico.
Aftah all de pains I's took,
Cain't you tell me how I look?
Speak up, Ike, an' 'spress yo'se'f.
Bless my soul!I 'mos' fu'got
Tellin' you 'bout Tildy Scott.
Don't you know, come Thu'sday
night,
She gwine ma'y Lucius White?
Miss Lize say I allus wuh
Heap sight laklier 'n huh;
An' she'll git me somep'n new,
Ef I wants to ma'y too.
Speak up, Ike, an' 'spress yo'se'f.
I could ma'y in a week,
Ef de man I wants 'ud speak.
Tildy's presents'll be fine,
But dey would n't ekal mine.
Him whut gits me fu' a wife
'Ll be proud, you bet yo' life.
I's had offers; some ain't quit;
But I has n't ma'ied yit!
Speak up, Ike, an' 'spress yo'se'f.
Ike, I loves you,--yes, I does;
You's my choice, and allus was.
Laffin' at you ain't no harm.--
Go 'way, dahky, whaih's yo' arm?
Hug me closer--dah, dat's right!
Was n't you a awful sight,
Havin' me to baig you so?
Now ax whut you want to know,--
Speak up, Ike, an' 'spress yo'se'f!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Encouragement by Paul Laurence Dunbar: A Masterpiece of African American Poetry
It is often said that poetry is the language of the soul. And who better to express the soul of African Americans than Paul Laurence Dunbar?
In his classic poem, "Encouragement," Dunbar captures the essence of the struggle for freedom and equality that has been the hallmark of African American life since the days of slavery. Through his vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and haunting rhythms, Dunbar creates a work of art that speaks to the heart and soul of all who have ever faced adversity and struggled to overcome it.
Overview of the Poem
"Encouragement" is a lyric poem that consists of four stanzas of four lines each. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line contains eight syllables, with the stress falling on every other syllable.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing an unnamed person, telling them to "hold on" and not give up. The speaker then goes on to use various metaphors to describe the struggles that the unnamed person is facing. In the second stanza, the speaker compares the person to a ship that is battling against the waves, and in the third stanza, the speaker compares the person to a bird that is flying against the wind. In the final stanza, the speaker tells the person that they will eventually reach their goal and that their struggles will be worth it in the end.
Analysis of the Poem
One of the most striking aspects of "Encouragement" is Dunbar's use of metaphors. By comparing the struggles of the unnamed person to a ship battling against the waves and a bird flying against the wind, Dunbar creates a vivid image of the difficulties that the person is facing. These metaphors also suggest that the person is engaged in a heroic struggle, one that requires courage and determination in order to succeed.
The language that Dunbar uses in "Encouragement" is also very powerful. The poem is full of strong verbs, such as "struggle," "battle," and "fly," which give the poem a sense of urgency and intensity. The poem is also full of sensory imagery, such as the "whistling wind" and the "heaving main," which engage the reader's senses and create a vivid picture of the struggles that the person is facing.
Another important aspect of "Encouragement" is the way that Dunbar uses rhythm and sound to create a musical quality to the poem. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line contains eight syllables, with the stress falling on every other syllable. This creates a regular rhythm to the poem that is both soothing and uplifting. Additionally, Dunbar uses alliteration, such as in the phrase "heaving main," which adds to the musical quality of the poem.
Finally, the message of "Encouragement" is one of hope and perseverance. The speaker tells the unnamed person to "hold on" and not give up, no matter how difficult the struggle may be. The speaker also tells the person that their struggles will eventually be worth it in the end. This message is one that is relevant to all people, regardless of race or ethnicity, and is one that has resonated with readers for over a century.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Encouragement" is a masterpiece of African American poetry. Through his use of vivid metaphors, powerful language, and musical rhythm, Dunbar creates a work of art that speaks to the heart and soul of all who have ever faced adversity and struggled to overcome it. The message of hope and perseverance that Dunbar conveys in this poem is one that is timeless and universal, and continues to inspire and uplift readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Encouragement: A Masterpiece by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Poetry is an art form that has the power to move people, to inspire them, and to touch their souls. It is a medium through which we can express our deepest emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Paul Laurence Dunbar, one of the most celebrated African American poets of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, understood the power of poetry and its ability to uplift and encourage people. In his poem, "Poetry Encouragement," Dunbar inspires his readers to embrace their creativity and to express themselves through poetry.
The poem begins with the lines, "Oh, little brown bird, / Singing to me in the sun! / What shall I do with the talent / That God has given me?" These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker is questioning what to do with their talent. The little brown bird serves as a symbol of inspiration, as it is singing in the sun, free and unencumbered. The speaker is envious of the bird's freedom and wants to know how they can use their own talent to achieve the same sense of liberation.
Dunbar then goes on to describe the power of poetry, stating that it can "lift the heart of sorrow, / And teach it how to sing." This line is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the transformative power of poetry. It has the ability to take something dark and painful and turn it into something beautiful and uplifting. This is a theme that runs throughout the poem, as Dunbar encourages his readers to use poetry as a means of expressing their pain and transforming it into something positive.
The next stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as Dunbar describes the struggles that many people face in their lives. He writes, "There are hearts that are weary and lonely, / And homes that are dreary and sad; / And the voice of the poet can cheer them, / And make their hearts feel glad." This stanza speaks to the universal human experience of pain and suffering. Dunbar acknowledges that there are many people in the world who are struggling, and he encourages his readers to use poetry as a means of reaching out to them and offering them comfort.
The poem then takes a more personal turn, as Dunbar speaks directly to his readers. He writes, "Oh, singer of songs, / What a wonderful gift is thine! / And the world is waiting to hear it, / And the world is waiting for mine." This stanza is particularly powerful, as it speaks to the idea that everyone has a unique voice and a unique perspective to offer the world. Dunbar is encouraging his readers to embrace their own creativity and to share it with the world.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Dunbar speaks directly to his readers and offers them words of encouragement. He writes, "Then sing as the bird sings, / And let your heart be gay, / For the world will be better for it, / And you'll be glad some day." This stanza is a call to action, as Dunbar is encouraging his readers to embrace their creativity and to use it to make the world a better place. He is also offering them words of comfort, assuring them that they will be glad they did so in the future.
In conclusion, "Poetry Encouragement" is a masterpiece of poetry that speaks to the transformative power of creativity. Dunbar encourages his readers to embrace their own unique voices and to use poetry as a means of expressing themselves and reaching out to others. He acknowledges the pain and suffering that many people face in their lives, but he also offers words of comfort and encouragement. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to uplift and inspire people.
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