Editor 1 Interpretation

One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This by Gwendolyn Brooks

Oh, they tell me bout Texas And they tell me bout Idaho, And the place I love the best Is a place called Chicago...

...Oh, one wants to be a builder, One wants to be an explorer, One wants to be a teller In a time like this.

Gwendolyn Brooks, the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, wrote this poem during the 1940s, a time of great social and political upheaval in America. The poem speaks to the desire for adventure and exploration, but ultimately lands on the importance of storytelling.

Context

Brooks was born in Topeka, Kansas in 1917 and grew up in Chicago. She began writing poetry at a young age and was first published at the age of 13. Her early poetry was heavily influenced by her experiences as a black girl in a predominantly white society.

As she matured as a writer, Brooks began to explore more complex themes and issues, including race, class, and gender. One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This is a perfect example of this shift in her work.

Analysis

The poem is structured around a series of contrasts. The first two lines mention Texas and Idaho, two places that are often associated with rugged individualism and the American West. But then the speaker declares that the place they love best is Chicago, a city known for its diversity and cultural richness.

This sets up the rest of the poem, which explores the desire to build, explore, and tell stories. The speaker expresses a desire to be a builder, someone who creates and constructs. They also express a desire to be an explorer, someone who seeks out new experiences and adventures.

But the final line of the poem is the most important: "One wants to be a teller in a time like this." The speaker recognizes that in a time of social and political upheaval, storytelling is crucial. Stories can help people understand their own experiences and connect with others who are going through similar struggles.

The poem is deceptively simple, but its message is powerful. Brooks is urging us to recognize the importance of storytelling as a way to connect with others and make sense of the world around us.

Interpretation

One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This is a poem that is relevant to any time, but it is especially relevant today. We are living in a time of great uncertainty and social upheaval, and it can be easy to feel isolated and disconnected from others.

Brooks is reminding us that storytelling is a way to bridge that divide. By sharing our own experiences and listening to the experiences of others, we can create a sense of community and connection.

But the poem is also a reminder that storytelling is not just a luxury or a hobby. It is a vital way of making sense of the world and understanding our place in it.

Conclusion

One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This is a powerful poem that speaks to the importance of storytelling in times of social and political upheaval. Brooks' message is simple but profound: in a time of great uncertainty, we need storytellers more than ever.

As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, we would do well to remember the power of storytelling. By sharing our own experiences and listening to the experiences of others, we can build a stronger, more connected community.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This: A Poem Analysis

Gwendolyn Brooks, the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for poetry, wrote the poem "One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This" in 1943. The poem is a reflection of the social and political climate of the time, as well as a commentary on the role of the artist in society. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its significance and relevance today.

The poem begins with the line "One wants a teller in a time like this," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "teller" refers to a storyteller, someone who can make sense of the chaos and confusion of the world. The phrase "a time like this" suggests that the world is in a state of crisis, and people are looking for someone to guide them through it.

The first stanza continues with the lines "The sense of the world is short- / Long and various the report." Here, Brooks is acknowledging the complexity of the world and the difficulty of understanding it. The phrase "the sense of the world is short" suggests that people have a limited understanding of the world and its workings. The second line, "Long and various the report," suggests that there are many different perspectives and opinions about the world, making it even harder to make sense of it all.

The second stanza begins with the lines "The shadow of the dome of pleasure / Floated midway on the waves." Here, Brooks is using imagery to describe a scene of luxury and indulgence. The "dome of pleasure" suggests a palace or grand building, while the "waves" suggest a body of water, perhaps a lake or ocean. The image of the dome floating on the waves suggests a sense of detachment from reality, as if the people inside are living in a bubble, separate from the rest of the world.

The third stanza begins with the lines "In a green shadow, / A shark's tooth of light / Nibbles the sun." Here, Brooks is using imagery to describe a scene of nature, with the "green shadow" suggesting a forest or jungle. The "shark's tooth of light" suggests a beam of sunlight cutting through the trees, while the word "nibbles" suggests a sense of playfulness or mischief. This image contrasts with the previous stanza, which described a scene of luxury and indulgence, suggesting that there are different ways of experiencing the world.

The fourth stanza begins with the lines "Invisible cities / Climb the sky." Here, Brooks is using imagery to describe a scene of urbanization and progress. The phrase "invisible cities" suggests that the cities are so large and sprawling that they are almost invisible, while the phrase "climb the sky" suggests a sense of ambition and upward mobility. This image contrasts with the previous stanza, which described a scene of nature, suggesting that there are different ways of experiencing the world.

The fifth stanza begins with the lines "What has been exiled / Returns." Here, Brooks is suggesting that something that has been lost or forgotten is returning. The phrase "what has been exiled" suggests that it is something that has been banished or pushed aside, while the word "returns" suggests a sense of renewal or restoration. This line is significant because it suggests that there is hope for the world, even in a time of crisis.

The sixth and final stanza begins with the lines "Fortress, / The hours." Here, Brooks is using imagery to describe a scene of confinement or imprisonment. The word "fortress" suggests a sense of isolation or protection, while the word "hours" suggests a sense of time passing. This image contrasts with the previous stanza, which suggested a sense of renewal or restoration, suggesting that there are still challenges to be faced.

Overall, "One Wants A Teller In A Time Like This" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the human experience of living in a complex and confusing world. Through her use of imagery and language, Brooks captures the sense of uncertainty and anxiety that people feel in times of crisis, while also suggesting that there is hope for the future. The poem is a reminder that the role of the artist is to make sense of the world and to help others do the same. As we navigate the challenges of our own time, we can look to this poem for inspiration and guidance.

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