Theme
In your own words, describe the theme of the poem.
Through unity and persistence, change for equality can be achieved
Identify the literary device/figurative language: "...the lives grown out of his life, the lives fleshing his dream of the beautiful..."
Anaphora - emphasizes the impact Fredrick Douglass left for African Americans even after he died and who are now able to live out his dream of achieving equality and independence
What is the point of view? How does Hayden establish this point of view?
First point of view. Hayden uses the phrase "ours," to establish his connection with the African American community. He shares the same vision as Douglass and understands the struggles of achieving equality and freedom.
Who was Fredrick Douglass?
Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, abolitionist, writer, and statesman. After escaping slavery in Maryland, he became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and NY.
How does the theme relate to today's society?
Today, there has been many civil unrests: BLM protests, China's Communism protests, activists for animal rights, freedom of speech, physical freedoms, and more. With the unity and perseverance of these groups, they are able to fight for their causes and work towards a better future.
How does the following quote contribute to the theme of the poem: "...beaten to his knees, exiled, visioning a world..."
As an African American and former slave, Fredrick Douglass faced much suffering and discrimination, dreaming of a world where he didn't have to live in fear of being treated unfairly. He fought for change and for freedom and sought for a better future where everyone was equal.
Identify the literary device/figurative language: "needful to man as air, useable as earth"
Simile - compares freedom to air, or an essential part of life, and illustrates its significance for people
How does Hayden's use of the following consonance contribute to the overall meaning of the poem: "...when it is truly instinct, brain matter, diastole, systole, reflex action..."
Diastole is when the heart refills with blood, and systole is when the chambers of the heart close after refilling. Both words are natural occurrences of the heart, emphasizing Hayden's urge for having freedom be a natural right to everyone.
What did Fredrick Douglass do for African Americans in slavery?
Fredrick Douglass was an abolitionist at the time who encouraged communities to fight against slavery. Through his oratory skills and perseverance, he and other passionate abolitionists were able to create a movement big enough to revolutionize the future of African Americans in the U.S., freeing them from the shackles of slavery and creating a new life as free people.
How has the abolition of slavery in America affect its future: today?
Without slavery, the lives of African Americans have improved: there is no bonds to tie them down, force them into working for employers with no wage, and their ability to have independence. While segregated for a period of time, the African American community was able to interact and live with diverse ethnic groups throughout America, strengthening their unity with others who held common beliefs to working towards a better future.
How does the following quote contribute to the theme of the poem: "...this liberty, this beautiful and terrible thing, needful to man as air, usable as earth; when it belongs at last to all..."
Liberty refers to the limited amount of freedom slaves and African American had, yet is a dream in which they fought to make a reality. It's terrible they have to fight for something that should be granted to all, as it is is just as important as air itself. Freedom is only powerful once everyone, including African Americans, possess it.
Identify the literary device/figurative language: "this man, this Douglass, this former slave..."
Allusion - Hayden references Fredrick Douglass, an African American known for his efforts in eliminating slavery, to have an embodiment of achieving freedom
How does the allusion to Fredrick Douglass impact the author's ideas?
Fredrick Douglass is a well known and prominent figure who was a voice for African Americans. His contributions as an activist for equality and freedom shaped society, and alluding to him further emphasizes the author's ideas of achieving liberty, just as Fredrick Douglass did.
Based on the context of the poem, when do you think the poem was written?
1947
How does the following line correspond with modern ideas and and what is this "needful thing": "...this man shall be remembered...with the lives grown out of his life, then lives fleshing his dream of the beautiful, needful thing."
Today's society have fulfilled the vision Douglass always fought for. Today, African Americans and people of minority groups live to see greater opportunities because of Douglass's influences and efforts on making freedom for all a reality. This "needful thing' is independence and freedom everyone is deserving of and needs in order to live their best lives as humans.
How does the following quote contribute to the poem's theme: "...where none is lonely, non hunted, alien, this man, superb in love and logic..."
In Douglass's vision of a better future, no one is seen differently or seen as inferior to another being. Through unity and compassion, he hoped everyone could live out his vision of equality for all.
Identify the literary technique: "...this Negro / beaten to his knees, exiled, visioning a world / where none is lonely, none hunted, alien..."
Imagery - Incorporating imagery illustrates how much suffering Douglass endured through slavery and through his efforts of making his visions a reality
How does the author's use of punctuation impact the overall meaning of the poem?
Hayden divides his ideas through the use of commas, semicolons, and colons. In the beginning of the poem, he expresses his idea of wanting to achieve freedom through the use of commas and semicolon. He ends this idea with a colon and transitions to a new idea of Douglass's efforts and visions of a better future for African Americans. Again, commas are used to illustrate this idea through a list format, and the idea ends with a period. Another idea is presented with commas, and ends with a period.
How would the meaning of the poem change if the title was the name of a less prominent African American figure?
With a less prominent African American figure, the audience may not be able to make as many connections with the struggles of achieving equality. Readers can more easily recognize how Douglass's influences made an impact towards liberating African Americans.
How does freedom relate to today's world in relations to the following quote: "when it is more than the gaudy mumbo jumbo of politicians"
In today's world, agendas are pushed forward by politicians to gather support for their campaigns. Politicians may use revolutionary ideas in a superficial way as they only advocate the cause to gain popularity. When Hayden references freedom as "mumbo jumbo" amongst politicians, he means that the idea of freedom and equality is beyond the usage of superficial advocacy and means of discussion. People must truly unite and implement change rather than speak it into existence.
How does the following quote add to the theme of the poem: "...the lives fleshing his dream of the beautiful, needful thing."
Douglass's contribution have allowed future generation beyond his lifetime to live out his dreams of liberty for all.
Identify the literary device/figurative language: "when it is more than the gaudy mumbo jumbo of politicians"
Idiom - Shows how important achieving freedom is for African Americans and that it is more than just talks and discussions amongst politicians. Action must be taken to enforce change for unconditional freedom for all.
How does Hayden use compare and contrast to establish his theme?
Hayden compares freedom has a natural aspect of the world. Freedom is compared to 'air', a 'reflex action', a 'needful thing', etc. in order to illustrate how equality should be a natural idea for humans to grasp.
What is the importance of the title being "Fredrick Douglass"?
Douglass was an abolitionist back in the 19th century. However, he was one of the most influential abolitionists known to American history. His impact on the world brought about big change in the lives of the African American community. Thus, by using his name as a title, the title enforces the poem's message of fighting for freedom for slaves, and how the work of one can lead to such prosperity
Is Frederick Douglass still a prominent figure in today's world?
Yes, because society's ideals are more accepting and more diverse nowadays than the 19th century. Douglass implemented actions for change to occur, and thus, society was modernized. Douglass, as well as other abolitionists fought for the existence of equality and everything society encompasses now stems from the basic ideals Douglass envisioned.