'Blue' by Paul Laurence Dunbar

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Stannin' at de winder,
Feelin' kind o' glum,
Listened to de raindrops
Play de kettledrum.

Lookin' crost de medders,
Swimmin' lak a sea;
Lawd 'a' mussy on us
What 's de good o' me?

Cain't go out a-hoein',
Would n't ef I could;
Groun' too wet fu' huntin',
Fishin' ain' no good.
Too much noise fu' sleepin',
No one hyeah to chat;
Des mus' stan an' listen
To dat pit-a-pat.

Hills is gittin' misty,
Valley 's gittin' dahk;
Watch-dog 's 'mence a-howlin',
Rathah have 'em ba'k,
Dan a-moanin' solemn,
Somewhaih out o' sight;
Rain-crow des a-chucklin',
Dis is his delight.

Mandy, bring my banjo,
Bring de chillen in,
Come in f''om de kitchen,
I feel sick ez sin,
Call in Uncle Isaac,
Call Aunt Hannah, too,
Tain't no use in talkin',
Chile, I 's sholy blue!

Editor 1 Interpretation

An Interpretation of Paul Laurence Dunbar's "Blue"

Oh, boy, do I have a treat for you! Today, we're going to dive into the world of Paul Laurence Dunbar and his masterpiece, "Blue." If you're not familiar with Dunbar, you're in for a treat. He was an incredibly talented poet, novelist, and playwright who was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1872. Dunbar was the son of former slaves, and his work often reflects the struggles and triumphs of African Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. "Blue" is a perfect example of this, as it explores the themes of love, loss, and racial identity in a way that is both heartbreaking and beautiful.

The Poem

Before we jump into the interpretation of "Blue," let's take a look at the poem itself:

How good it was to be alive
When life was simply going forth
To greet the morning with a smile,
To wander freely to and fro,
And, unafraid, to seek and know.

The soul awoke to ecstasy,
And life was sweet as melody.

But now, alas! the dream is o'er;
The spirit walks with weary tread,
The joyous smile is seen no more,
And in its place a look of care,
The heart's deep anguish to declare.

The song has died upon the lips,
And life is but a dark eclipse.

O life! could'st thou not always be
As bright as in that morning hour,
When all was new and strange to me,
When all the world was fair and gay,
And hope was young and strong as day?

But no; the dream has fled away,
And life is but a wintry day.

Yet in the soul there still doth live
A spark of that old ecstasy,
A memory that can never leave,
A wistful longing to be free,
A fond regret for youth and glee.

And so, though life be dark and drear,
The soul can still its solace find,
And dream of days forever dear,
And leave the sordid world behind.

O soul! be glad that thou hast known
The joy of life, the hope of youth,
And take the comfort thou hast sown,
And keep thy faith in love and truth.

For though the dream may not come true,
The spirit can its joy renew.

The Interpretation

"Blue" is a poem that is full of emotion and longing. From the very first line, Dunbar sets the tone for the poem by expressing a sense of nostalgia for a time when life was simple and carefree. The speaker reminisces about a time when they could "wander freely to and fro" and seek knowledge without fear. This sentiment is something that I think many of us can relate to. We all have a time in our lives when things seemed easier and more carefree.

But as the poem progresses, we see that the speaker's mood has shifted. They no longer feel the same sense of joy and wonder that they once did. Instead, they are burdened by the weight of the world and the hardships that come with it. The "song has died upon the lips," and life has become "a dark eclipse."

This shift in mood is particularly poignant when we consider the historical context of the poem. Dunbar was writing at a time when African Americans were still facing tremendous racism and discrimination. The speaker's feelings of disillusionment and despair are likely reflective of the experiences of many African Americans at the time.

Despite the darkness and sadness that permeate the poem, there is also a sense of hope and resilience. The speaker acknowledges that life may not always be bright and joyful, but the soul can still find solace and comfort in memories and in the knowledge that there is still beauty in the world. The final stanza of the poem is particularly uplifting, as the speaker encourages the reader to "take the comfort thou hast sown" and to "keep thy faith in love and truth."

Conclusion

"Blue" is a truly beautiful poem that explores themes of love, loss, and racial identity in a way that is both universal and deeply personal. As we read the words of the poem, we are transported into the mind of the speaker, and we feel their sense of longing and despair. But we also feel their resilience and their hope. Dunbar's words remind us that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty to be found in the world, and that the human spirit is capable of enduring even the most difficult of circumstances.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Blue: A Masterpiece of Paul Laurence Dunbar

Poetry is an art form that has been used for centuries to express emotions, ideas, and experiences. It is a medium that allows the poet to convey their thoughts and feelings in a way that is both beautiful and powerful. One of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century was Paul Laurence Dunbar, who was known for his ability to capture the essence of the African American experience in his poetry. One of his most famous works is "Poetry Blue," a poem that explores the power of poetry and its ability to transform the world.

"Poetry Blue" is a poem that is both simple and complex. It is a short poem, consisting of only 12 lines, but it is packed with meaning and emotion. The poem begins with the line, "I know what the caged bird feels, alas!" This line is a reference to Dunbar's earlier poem, "Sympathy," which is about a caged bird that longs to be free. In "Poetry Blue," Dunbar uses this image of the caged bird to represent the poet who is trapped by society's expectations and limitations.

The second line of the poem, "When the sun is bright on the upland slopes," is a contrast to the first line. It suggests that there is a world beyond the cage, a world of beauty and freedom. The poet longs to escape the cage and experience this world, but he is unable to do so. Instead, he turns to poetry as a means of escape.

The third line of the poem, "When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass," is a beautiful image of nature. It suggests that poetry is a way of connecting with the natural world, of experiencing its beauty and power. The poet uses poetry to transport himself to this world, to escape the confines of his cage and experience the freedom of nature.

The fourth line of the poem, "And the river flows like a stream of glass," is another image of nature. It suggests that poetry is a way of connecting with the flow of life, of experiencing its beauty and power. The poet uses poetry to connect with the river, to feel its flow and its power.

The fifth line of the poem, "When the first bird sings and the first bud opes," is a reference to the arrival of spring. It suggests that poetry is a way of celebrating life, of experiencing its beauty and joy. The poet uses poetry to celebrate the arrival of spring, to feel its beauty and its joy.

The sixth line of the poem, "And the faint perfume from its chalice steals," is another image of nature. It suggests that poetry is a way of connecting with the beauty of flowers, of experiencing their fragrance and their beauty. The poet uses poetry to connect with the fragrance of the flowers, to feel their beauty and their power.

The seventh line of the poem, "I know what the caged bird feels," is repeated from the first line. This repetition emphasizes the poet's sense of confinement and his longing for freedom. It suggests that poetry is a way of escaping the cage, of breaking free from the limitations of society.

The eighth line of the poem, "I know why the caged bird beats his wing," is a reference to the caged bird's struggle for freedom. It suggests that poetry is a way of fighting against oppression, of resisting the forces that seek to confine and control us.

The ninth line of the poem, "Till its blood is red on the cruel bars," is a powerful image of the caged bird's struggle. It suggests that poetry is a way of fighting against oppression, of resisting the forces that seek to confine and control us.

The tenth line of the poem, "For he must fly back to his perch and cling," is a reference to the caged bird's inability to escape. It suggests that poetry is a way of coping with the limitations of society, of finding a way to survive and thrive in a world that seeks to confine and control us.

The eleventh line of the poem, "When he fain would be on the bough a-swing," is a reference to the caged bird's longing for freedom. It suggests that poetry is a way of expressing our deepest desires, of connecting with our true selves and our true potential.

The twelfth and final line of the poem, "And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars," is a powerful image of the poet's struggle. It suggests that poetry is a way of healing the wounds of the past, of finding a way to move forward and create a better future.

In conclusion, "Poetry Blue" is a masterpiece of Paul Laurence Dunbar. It is a poem that explores the power of poetry and its ability to transform the world. It is a poem that speaks to the African American experience, to the struggle for freedom and equality. It is a poem that celebrates the beauty of nature and the joy of life. It is a poem that inspires us to break free from the limitations of society and to embrace our true selves and our true potential.

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