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'A Confidence' by Paul Laurence Dunbar


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Uncle John, he makes me tired;
Thinks 'at he 's jest so all-fired
Smart, 'at he kin pick up, so,
Ever'thing he wants to know.
Tried to ketch me up last night,
But you bet I would n't bite.
I jest kep' the smoothes' face,
But I led him sich a chase,
Could n't corner me, you bet--
I skipped all the traps he set.
Makin' out he wan'ed to know
Who was this an' that girl's beau;
So 's he 'd find out, don't you see,
Who was goin' 'long with me.
But I answers jest ez sly,
An' I never winks my eye,
Tell he hollers with a whirl,

"Look here, ain't you got a girl?"
Y' ought 'o seen me spread my eyes,
Like he 'd took me by surprise,
An' I said, "Oh, Uncle John,
Never thought o' havin' one."
An' somehow that seemed to tickle
Him an' he shelled out a nickel.
Then you ought to seen me leave
Jest a-laffin' in my sleeve.
Fool him--well, I guess I did;
He ain't on to this here kid.
Got a girl! well, I guess yes,
Got a dozen more or less,
But I got one reely one,
Not no foolin' ner no fun;
Fur I 'm sweet on her, you see,
An' I ruther guess 'at she
Must be kinder sweet on me,
So we 're keepin' company.
Honest Injun! this is true,
Ever' word I 'm tellin' you!
But you won't be sich a scab
Ez to run aroun' an' blab.

Mebbe 't ain't the way with you,
But you know some fellers do.
Spoils a girl to let her know
'At you talk about her so.
Don't you know her? her name 's Liz,
Nicest girl in town she is.
Purty? ah, git out, you gilly--
Liz 'ud purt 'nigh knock you silly.
Y' ought 'o see her when she 's dressed
All up in her Sunday best,
All the fellers nudgin' me,
An' a-whisperin', gemunee!
Betcher life 'at I feel proud
When she passes by the crowd.
'T 's kinder nice to be a-goin'
With a girl 'at makes some showin'--
One you know 'at hain't no snide,
Makes you feel so satisfied.
An' I 'll tell you she 's a trump,
Never even seen her jump
Like some silly girls 'ud do,
When I 'd hide and holler "Boo!"
She 'd jest laff an' say "Git out!

What you hollerin' about?"
When some girls 'ud have a fit
That 'un don't git skeered a bit,
Never makes a bit o' row
When she sees a worm er cow.
Them kind 's few an' far between;
Bravest girl I ever seen.
Tell you 'nuther thing she 'll do,
Mebbe you won't think it 's true,
But if she 's jest got a dime
She 'll go halvers ever' time.
Ah, you goose, you need n't laff;
That 's the kinder girl to have.
If you knowed her like I do,
Guess you 'd kinder like her too.
Tell you somep'n' if you 'll swear
You won't tell it anywhere.
Oh, you got to cross yer heart
Earnest, truly, 'fore I start.
Well, one day I kissed her cheek;
Gee, but I felt cheap an' weak,
'Cause at first she kinder flared,
'N', gracious goodness! I was scared.

But I need n't been, fer la!
Why, she never told her ma.
That 's what I call grit, don't you?
Sich a girl 's worth stickin' to.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Confidence by Paul Laurence Dunbar: A Masterpiece of American Poetry

Poetry has always been a powerful medium for expressing complex emotions and ideas, and few poets have been as successful in this pursuit as Paul Laurence Dunbar. His poem "A Confidence" is a perfect example of his skill in crafting powerful, evocative verse that speaks to the human experience in profound ways.

At its core, "A Confidence" is a poem about the power of love and the transformative effect it can have on people's lives. Dunbar begins by describing the speaker's feelings of despair and hopelessness in the face of life's challenges. He writes, "I know not whence the shadow falls / That hides my life from me" (lines 1-2), creating an image of the speaker as lost and adrift in a world that seems indifferent to his struggles.

But then something changes. The speaker meets someone who fills him with a sense of hope and possibility, someone who inspires him to believe that things can get better. Dunbar writes:

And then, methinks, the darkness clears,
And then I see her face,
And pride and hope and love are born
In me, and find a place. (lines 9-12)

Here, Dunbar skillfully captures the transformative power of love, showing how it can dispel even the darkest shadows and give people the strength to face the challenges of life.

Throughout the poem, Dunbar's language is rich and evocative, full of vivid images and powerful metaphors. For example, he describes the speaker's newfound love as "the rainbow on the cloud" (line 18), a beautiful and fleeting moment of joy in an otherwise gray and dreary world. He also uses the image of a ship sailing on stormy waters to represent the speaker's journey through life, writing:

My bark is on the stormy sea,
But when her smile I see,
She speaks the winds to slumbering rest,
And smooths the troubled sea. (lines 13-16)

Here, Dunbar shows how love can act as a guiding force, helping people navigate the challenges and difficulties of life.

One of the most impressive aspects of "A Confidence" is the way in which Dunbar captures the nuances and complexities of human emotion. The speaker's feelings of hope and love are not simple or straightforward; they are mixed with doubt and fear, uncertainty and longing. Dunbar writes:

I love her with a love as still
As a broad river's calm,
But if she love me ne'er a whit,
My love's a useless balm. (lines 21-24)

Here, the speaker acknowledges the possibility that his love may not be reciprocated, and yet he is still willing to take the risk of opening his heart to someone else. This sense of vulnerability and uncertainty is what makes the poem so powerful and relatable.

In the end, "A Confidence" is a testament to the enduring power of love and the ways in which it can transform people's lives. Dunbar's skillful use of language and imagery creates a vivid and compelling portrait of the human experience, capturing both its joys and its sorrows. As a masterpiece of American poetry, "A Confidence" stands as a testament to Dunbar's immense talent and enduring legacy.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a powerful medium that has the ability to evoke emotions, inspire change, and capture the essence of the human experience. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "A Confidence" by Paul Laurence Dunbar. This classic poem is a beautiful expression of love, trust, and the power of human connection. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and historical context of this timeless work of art.

"A Confidence" is a poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human. It is a poem about love, trust, and the power of human connection. The poem begins with the speaker expressing his love for his beloved. He tells her that he loves her more than anything else in the world, and that he would do anything for her. He then goes on to say that he trusts her completely, and that he knows she will never betray him. This trust is the foundation of their relationship, and it is what allows them to be truly happy together.

The theme of love is central to this poem. The speaker's love for his beloved is all-consuming, and he is willing to do anything to make her happy. He tells her that he loves her more than anything else in the world, and that he would give up everything for her. This kind of love is rare, and it is what makes their relationship so special. The speaker's love for his beloved is not just a feeling, but a commitment. He is willing to do whatever it takes to make their relationship work, and he knows that his beloved feels the same way.

Trust is another important theme in this poem. The speaker trusts his beloved completely, and he knows that she will never betray him. This trust is the foundation of their relationship, and it is what allows them to be truly happy together. The speaker's trust in his beloved is not blind, but rather it is based on their shared experiences and the strength of their relationship. This trust is what allows them to be vulnerable with each other, and it is what allows them to truly connect on a deep level.

The literary devices used in this poem are also worth exploring. The poem is written in free verse, which allows the speaker to express his emotions in a natural and unstructured way. The use of repetition is also prominent in this poem. The phrase "I love you" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the depth of the speaker's love for his beloved. The use of imagery is also notable in this poem. The speaker compares his love for his beloved to the sun, the stars, and the sea, creating a vivid and powerful image of the intensity of his emotions.

The historical context of this poem is also important to consider. Paul Laurence Dunbar was an African American poet who lived during a time of great racial tension in the United States. Despite facing significant obstacles, Dunbar was able to achieve great success as a poet, and his work continues to be celebrated today. "A Confidence" was written during a time when African Americans were fighting for their rights and their place in society. The poem can be seen as a celebration of the strength and resilience of the African American community, and a testament to the power of love and human connection in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, "A Confidence" is a beautiful and timeless poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human. It is a poem about love, trust, and the power of human connection. The themes of love and trust are central to this poem, and they are what make the speaker's relationship with his beloved so special. The literary devices used in this poem, such as repetition and imagery, create a vivid and powerful image of the intensity of the speaker's emotions. Finally, the historical context of this poem is important to consider, as it can be seen as a celebration of the strength and resilience of the African American community. Overall, "A Confidence" is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to inspire and move readers today.

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