"We Real Cool" is a poem written by Gwendolyn Brooks in 1959. The poem presents the theme of rebellion and nonconformity through the voices of seven young African American pool players.
The poem begins with the line "We real cool," which immediately establishes the rebellious and nonconformist attitude of the speaker. The use of the word "real" adds emphasis to this statement, implying that the speaker and those they represent are not just pretending to be cool, but are genuinely cool in their own way.
Throughout the poem, the speaker uses short, choppy sentences to convey a sense of casualness and defiance. For example, the speakers say "We / Left school," suggesting that they have chosen to drop out of school and reject traditional societal expectations. This theme is further reinforced by the line "We / Lurk late," which implies a willingness to break the rules and stay out late.
The theme of rebellion and nonconformity is also reflected in the subjects of the poem. The speakers are pool players, a group that is often associated with a sense of rebelliousness and counterculture. In the final line of the poem, the speakers declare "We / Die soon," implying that they are aware of their own mortality and are living their lives on their own terms, regardless of societal expectations.
Overall, "We Real Cool" presents a theme of rebellion and nonconformity through the voices of seven young African American pool players. The use of casual language and the focus on countercultural subjects adds to the poem's themes of defiance and rejection of traditional societal expectations.
Theme Of We Real Cool Poem Analysis
Line 2, simply, states that they sit down. Words contain meaning this is their content. Indeed, their behavior is so outrageous that nobody wants anything to do with them. Black people must learn how to hide their true feelings or suffer the consequences. Aseel AlAli English Mr. We" Analysis This first stanza of the poem's main body associates the notion of "being cool" with the decision to leave school, which logically would lead one to the conclusion that the institution of school and other mandated institutions are inherently uncool, at least in the mind of the speaker s. .
We Real Cool Themes
It shows that although we may act like we're not afraid, in reality we are all terrified of dying. Masculinity Though there is nothing in the poem to tell the reader explicitly that all seven pool players are young men, we can contextualize the poem in the time it was written and know that women rarely stepped into pool halls, let alone played pool. The group are proud to be outside of this system. Unfortunately death is symbolized as the shovel and used as an omen. Irony An example of dramatic irony in this poem is that when the speaker utters the line "We real cool," in order to perform "coolness" for the reader, it has the exact opposite of its intended effect.
Theme Of The Poem We Real Cool
It's possible to read the poem as a warning against self-destructive behavior, and also as a celebration of people who risk their lives to challenge authority. Noted traditional forms and poignant evocation of urban black experience, Brooks emerged as a leading black literary figure during the 1950s and 1960s. They live as if it is summer every day, which connects to their lack of obligation to go to school or work. The first line to begin the second stanza is, We real cool. These similarities become all the more apparent when one attempts to compare the imagery of these poems.
We Real Cool Stanza 2 Summary and Analysis
This creates rhythm in a poem. With each element, it will de discussed how those elements affected and interested me while reading. So these 7 lucky boys are surrounded by death. In other words, the shovel with which they dig their own graves is "golden" because their vices make them feel good and cool in the moment. What is the theme of the poem "We Are Real Cool"? It is dramatic irony because the speaker believes that by saying, "We real cool," the audience will think they are cool, but the audience is more likely to read into their words and interpret them as insecure.
We Real Cool Poem Summary and Analysis
I need help on putting my thoughts into words, and also understanding the poem itself; I just can't grasp the entire message that Brooks is giving. This poem was written almost twenty years before Chicago schools were forced to integrate; going to school, for these young men, was to participate in a system where, because of their race, less was expected of them and less was afforded to them than was expected and afforded to white students at white schools. I had never heard of any of them until I read the syllabus. Through these diverse methods, We Real Cool and Undertaker both call attention to a common and ongoing societal concern. Form is the technical word for the look and sound of language Kwikguide, 2009. If historical context isn't enough, we can take Brooks' own word for it; she has said in interviews about the poem and in speaking about the inspiration behind the poem that she was writing about a group of young men in her community. This also places coolness in direct opposition to institutions and power structures like the education system.
We Real Cool Analysis
In a poem, form is largely what separates itself from other types of literary works. In this light, the poem invites the reader to reflect on the trauma and grief that would afflict the broader community following the untimely departure of several of its members. Instead of confirming their coolness to the reader, the speaker has made obvious their insecurities surrounding their public image. This confidence tone pervades the poem. They were often forced to go bare-chested or wear clothes made from coarse materials such as cotton, which exposed their skin to heat and humidity. The poem was written in 1950 685 during the struggle for African-American civil rights messages and, to appeal to young African Americans of the time. Latest answer posted September 19, 2010, 10:15 pm UTC 5 educator answers The third stanza follows the same pattern.
