Poetry Analysis Essay on We Real Cool: Exploring Gwendolyn Brooks' Poem from 1959

Introduction

The field of writing and especially the poems has countless techniques that apply when in need to fully understand the thoughts of the author. We real cool is a poem concerning the identity of a group of black males and teenagers playing the pool in the Golden shovel. The poet of this poem is Gwendolyn Brooks, and the poem itself was written in the year 1959. Its publication was first done in the year 1960 (Brooks, 1988). We real cool stills remain interesting from its first publication because of the message it carries. It has ever remained popular and has caused many debates among many young people. We real cool involves language and rhythm combination, which set the pom apart. We real cool poem by Gwendolyn Brooks has the application of various techniques that enhances its interesting messages. This paper will thus look at some of the literary elements used in we real cool poem that include symbols, themes, and metaphors

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Symbols in We Real Cool

School

The school in the poem is a symbol of conformity and authority. In the poem, the speakers seem to be delinquents in that they are interested in skipping the school for pleasures. They prefer hanging out in the pool and getting drunkard. The school for them is not just a place for getting an education as people understand. The school for them is a representation of narrow and straight points individuals are supposed to take in their lives. It is actually a representation of everything the speakers of the poem reject. The speakers of the poem move away from reality in favor of pleasures.

June

In the poem, we real cool, June is a simple that appears much complicated. It is a representation of complacency. Typically, June is one of the months of the year; many understand it as a pleasant month. It is usually one of the happy moments of the year. On the contrary, the speaker of the poem seems not to really love the month. The speakers appear to be changing and transforming June, making it boring. For the author, the symbolic reading of June is comfort and complacency.

Themes in We Real Cool

Rebellion, Youth, and Mortality

The poem we real cool is about rebellion and the associated cost. The seven teenagers who hang outside the pool speak the poem. The teens bring themselves out as the rebels skipping the school. The pool players, on the other hand, stand for every individual who is playing hooky. The teenagers who disrespect the authority are well monitored. The poem brings out clearly the serious cost of rebelliousness, which makes young individuals less safe. The poem states the prices of living fast as to dying young. The speakers of the poem emphasize some of the ways in which their lives are going against the social convention. In the poem, it is stated that they cut the glass and "lurk" late into the night. Getting into drinks and fights by these teens is also brought forward. The speakers themselves, however, appear not to understand the serious effect of the rebellion. They themselves admit that their transgressions do not lead to a serious cost. At the end of the poem, 'die soon' is a clear indication of a serious cost.

Rebellion and Social Change

The poem we real cool has consistently shown the cost that is associated with the rebellious styles of the speakers. The results of their behaviors are exposing them to danger, and the poem states clearly some of the consequences that include dying at a young age. The poem put out the question of whether the sacrifices that the speakers are making are worthwhile. Although the poem does not answer this question directly, there are possibilities of reading the poem as the speaker's condemnation. It is also possible to look at rebellion acts as a necessary and direct challenge to social complacency and authority. The poem was written at the time when the American civil rights movement was at its course, and it is true when the poem is viewed from that angle.

Metaphor in We Real Cool Poem

The use of metaphor in the poem we real cool can easily be noticed starting from the title of the poem itself. There is the creation of a mental picture of young seven teens who are playing pool in a smoky and noisy bar. The teens stay in the bar until late hours of the night and appear to have no consideration of their future lives of which the reader expects. The teens are expected to have a sense of understanding of their expectations. In the poem, the word 'shovel' is also a metaphor, which means dangerous occurrences. "Die soon" at the end of the poem is a dangerous occurrence for the seven teenagers if they remain in their reckless behaviors.

Conclusion

In summary, the application of literacy devices is evident the poem we real cool. Rebellion is one of the themes that have a good reflection on the poem. The themes in the poem have put the messages to come out clearly in the poem. The metaphor and symbolism are well employed in the poem to bring a warning to the teens of their reckless behaviors. The application of literacy styles in the poem has helped in showing teens directions to take as they grow up.

Reference

Brooks, G. (1988). We real cool. Literature, structure, sound and sense, 668.