'Corn Stalk Fiddle, The' by Paul Laurence Dunbar

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When the corn's all cut and the bright
stalks shine
Like the burnished spears of a field of gold;
When the field-mice rich on the nubbins dine,
And the frost comes white and the wind
blows cold;
Then it 's heigho! fellows and hi-diddle-diddle,
For the time is ripe for the corn-stalk fiddle.

And you take a stalk that is straight and long,
With an expert eye to its worthy points,
And you think of the bubbling strains of song
That are bound between its pithy joints--
Then you cut out strings, with a bridge in the
middle,
With a corn-stalk bow for a corn-stalk fiddle.

Then the strains that grow as you draw the bow
O'er the yielding strings with a practised
hand!
And the music's flow never loud but low
Is the concert note of a fairy band.
Oh, your dainty songs are a misty riddle
To the simple sweets of the corn-stalk fiddle.

When the eve comes on, and our work is done,
And the sun drops down with a tender glance,
With their hearts all prime for the harmless fun,
Come the neighbor girls for the evening's
dance,
And they wait for the well-known twist and
twiddle--
More time than tune--from the corn-stalk
fiddle.

Then brother Jabez takes the bow,
While Ned stands off with Susan Bland,
Then Henry stops by Milly Snow,
And Jolm takes Nellie Jones's hand,
While I pair off with Mandy Biddle,
And scrape, scrape, scrape goes the corn-stalk
fiddle.

"Salute your partners," comes the call,
"All join hands and circle round,"
"Grand train back," and "Balance all,"
Footsteps lightly spurn the ground.
"Take your lady and balance down the middle"
To the merry strains of the corn-stalk fiddle.

So the night goes on and the dance is o'er,
And the merry girls are homeward gone,
But I see it all in my sleep once more,
And I dream till the very break of dawn
Of an impish dance on a red-hot griddle
To the screech and scrape of a corn-stalk
fiddle.

Editor 1 Interpretation

An Ode to African American Culture: A Literary Critique of "Corn Stalk Fiddle" by Paul Laurence Dunbar

As a literary work of art, "Corn Stalk Fiddle" is a testament to the richness and beauty of African American culture. It is a poem that celebrates the creativity, resilience, and ingenuity of a people who, despite the odds, have managed to create something beautiful out of the mundane. Written by Paul Laurence Dunbar, one of the most celebrated African American poets of the late 19th century, "Corn Stalk Fiddle" is a masterful work of literary genius that has stood the test of time.

The Poem

Before delving deeper into the poem, it is essential first to provide an overview of the text. "Corn Stalk Fiddle" is a brief, six-stanza poem that tells the story of a man who creates a fiddle out of a cornstalk. The poem begins with the speaker describing the cornstalk, which he sees as a symbol of life and vitality. He then goes on to describe how he takes the stalk and carves it into a fiddle, creating music out of what was once nothing more than a simple plant. The poem ends with the speaker playing his fiddle and delighting in the beauty of the music he has created.

The Significance of the Corn Stalk

One of the most striking features of "Corn Stalk Fiddle" is its use of imagery. Throughout the poem, Dunbar employs vivid imagery to bring his subject matter to life. The most prominent of these images is the cornstalk, which serves as a symbol of life and vitality. In the poem's opening lines, the speaker describes the cornstalk as "a green and tender stalk" and goes on to say that it is "full of life and joyousness." This description sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of images of growth and vitality.

The significance of the corn stalk lies in its symbolism. The plant represents the life force that runs through all living things, and the fact that the speaker chooses to carve a fiddle out of it is symbolic of the way that African American culture has taken what is ordinary and turned it into something extraordinary. The fiddle, in this sense, represents the art and creativity that have arisen out of the struggles of African Americans. By choosing to make music out of a cornstalk, the speaker is saying that even the most mundane and ordinary things in life can be transformed into something beautiful.

The Significance of the Fiddle

The fiddle is another important symbol in "Corn Stalk Fiddle." In African American culture, the fiddle has long been associated with music and dance. It is an instrument that has been used to create a wide range of musical styles, from blues and jazz to gospel and soul. In "Corn Stalk Fiddle," the speaker uses the fiddle as a way of expressing his own creativity and joy. The music he creates is a celebration of life and vitality, a way of expressing the beauty and richness of African American culture.

The use of the fiddle as a symbol is also significant because it represents the way that African Americans have taken elements from various cultures and turned them into something uniquely their own. The fiddle, for example, is an instrument that has its roots in European folk music, but in the hands of African American musicians, it has taken on a new life and become something completely different. In this sense, the fiddle represents the ability of African Americans to take what is given to them and transform it into something new and beautiful.

The Voice of the Poem

The voice of the poem is also worth examining. The speaker is an African American man who is proud of his heritage and his ability to turn something as simple as a cornstalk into a beautiful instrument. His voice is one of joy and celebration, a testament to the resilience and creativity of African American culture. The poem is written in dialect, which adds to its authenticity and gives it a unique flavor. The use of dialect is also significant because it represents the way that African Americans have developed their own language and way of speaking, which is different from the language of the dominant culture.

The Themes of the Poem

The themes of "Corn Stalk Fiddle" are numerous and varied. The most prominent theme is that of creativity and resilience. The poem celebrates the ability of African Americans to take what is given to them and turn it into something beautiful. It is a celebration of the human spirit and the power of the imagination. Another theme of the poem is the importance of tradition. The fiddle has a long history in African American culture, and the speaker's decision to make a fiddle out of a cornstalk is a way of paying homage to that tradition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Corn Stalk Fiddle" is a true masterpiece of African American literature. It is a celebration of the creativity, resilience, and ingenuity of a people who have faced many challenges but have managed to create something beautiful out of the mundane. The use of vivid imagery, dialect, and symbolism all work together to create a work of art that is both beautiful and profound. The poem is a testament to the richness and beauty of African American culture and a reminder of the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and create something beautiful.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poetry Corn Stalk Fiddle: A Masterpiece by Paul Laurence Dunbar

If you are a lover of poetry, then you must have come across the name Paul Laurence Dunbar. He was a renowned African American poet, novelist, and playwright who lived from 1872 to 1906. His works were a reflection of the struggles and triumphs of the African American community during his time. One of his most famous works is the poem "The Corn-Stalk Fiddle," which is a masterpiece that captures the essence of African American culture and music.

The poem is a narrative that tells the story of a young boy who makes a fiddle out of a corn stalk. The boy is poor and cannot afford to buy a real fiddle, but he has a passion for music. He uses his creativity and resourcefulness to create a makeshift fiddle that he can play. The poem is a celebration of the ingenuity and resilience of the African American community, who had to make do with what they had in the face of adversity.

The poem begins with the boy finding a corn stalk in the field and deciding to make a fiddle out of it. He carves the stalk into the shape of a fiddle and uses horsehair to make the strings. He then proceeds to play the fiddle, and the sound that emanates from it is beautiful. The boy is so proud of his creation that he takes it to the town square to play for the people.

The people in the town are amazed by the boy's talent and the sound of the fiddle. They gather around him and listen to him play. The boy's music is so captivating that it brings joy and happiness to the people. They dance and sing along to the music, forgetting their troubles and worries for a while.

The poem is a celebration of the power of music to bring people together and lift their spirits. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always something to be grateful for. The boy's corn-stalk fiddle may not be a real fiddle, but it is a symbol of hope and resilience. It is a testament to the fact that with determination and creativity, anything is possible.

The poem is also a commentary on the African American experience during Dunbar's time. The boy's corn-stalk fiddle represents the struggles of the African American community, who had to make do with what they had in the face of discrimination and poverty. The fiddle is a symbol of the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the African American people, who had to find ways to survive and thrive in a society that did not value them.

Dunbar's use of language in the poem is also noteworthy. He uses dialect to capture the essence of African American culture and music. The dialect adds authenticity to the poem and makes it more relatable to the African American community. The use of dialect also highlights the importance of language in African American culture. Language was a way for the African American community to express themselves and connect with each other, even in the face of oppression.

In conclusion, "The Corn-Stalk Fiddle" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of African American culture and music. It is a celebration of the resilience and resourcefulness of the African American community, who had to make do with what they had in the face of adversity. The poem is also a commentary on the African American experience during Dunbar's time and a reminder of the power of music to bring people together and lift their spirits. Dunbar's use of language in the poem adds authenticity and highlights the importance of language in African American culture. "The Corn-Stalk Fiddle" is a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and uplift generations to come.

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