LTEN 27 Presentation - Professor Mychal Odom PDF

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Professor Mychal Odom...

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Paul Laurence Dunbar - “Ode to Ethiopia” Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872 - 1906) ● One of the first influential black poets in American literature ● Dayton, Ohio ● Published two poems two years before he graduated ● Editor of the Dayton Tattler ● Teachers, authors, and poets supported his work throughout his life ● Wrote in standard English “Ode to Ethiopia” ● Published in 1896 (reference: slavery ended in 1865) ● Response to the abolition of slavery: talks about slavery, overcoming slavery, hope in the future & the admirable characteristics of black people throughout all of it Literary device

Direct quote

Meaning/importance

Personification of slavery

“When Slavery crushed thee with its heel,/ With thy dear blood all gory.”

Ethiopia = mother figure & children black people taken away

“Proud Ethiope’s swarthy children stand/ Beside their fairer neighbor”

Praises Ethiopia & depicts the rise of black people in America (achievement of slavery → freedom)

“... through the land the fruitful seed/ Of better times was growing.”

Hope

Personification of Ethiopia

Metaphor comparing freedom to a plant

“The plant of freedom upward spring,/ And spread its leaves so fresh and/ young-/ Its blossoms now are blowing.” Imagery

Life for African Americans is improving & they will thrive Belief that this is just the beginning, that the future will be even brighter

“The forests flee before their stroke,/ Their hammers ring, their forges smoke,-/ They stir in honest labour”

Racial pride

“They tread the fields where honour calls;/ Their voices sound through senate halls/ In majesty and power”

Characterizes black people as hard workers w/ integrity

Highlights resilience & ability overcome adversity

Paul Laurence Dunbar - “Ode to Ethiopia” Paul Laurence Dunbar ● June 27, 1872 - February 9, 1906 ● One of the first influential black poets in American literature ● High school in Dayton, Ohio ● Only black student in his class, class president & poet ● Published two poems two years before he graduated ● Editor of the Dayton Tattler, a newspaper for blacks published by classmate Orville Wright ● Teachers, authors, and poets supported his work throughout his life ● Novels, short stories & essays (in standard English) “Ode ● ● ●

to Ethiopia” Published in 1896 (reference: slavery ended in 1865) Ode = a type of poem used for deep feeling & praise Response to the abolition of slavery: talks about slavery, overcoming slavery, hope in the future & the admirable characteristics of black people throughout all of it

Literary device

Direct quote

Meaning/importance

Personification of slavery

“When Slavery crushed thee with its heel,/ With thy dear blood all gory.”

Ethiopia = mother figure & children black people taken away

“Proud Ethiope’s swarthy children stand/ Beside their fairer neighbor”

Praises Ethiopia & depicts the progress of black people in America (achievement of slavery → freedom)

“... through the land the fruitful seed/ Of better times was growing.”

Hope

Personification of Ethiopia

Metaphor comparing freedom to a plant

“The plant of freedom upward spring,/ And spread its leaves so fresh and/ young-/ Its blossoms now are blowing.” Imagery

Life for African Americans is improving & they will thrive Belief that this is just the beginning, that the future will be even brighter

“The forests flee before their stroke,/ Their hammers ring, their forges smoke,-/ They stir in honest labour”

Racial pride

“They tread the fields where honour calls;/ Their voices sound through senate halls/ In majesty and power”

Characterizes black people as hard workers w/ integrity

Highlights resilience & ability overcome adversity...