'Advice' by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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W'en you full o' worry
'Bout yo' wo'k an' sich,
W'en you kind o' bothahed
Case you cain't get rich,
An' yo' neighboh p'ospah
Past his jest desu'ts,
An' de sneer of comerds
Stuhs yo' haht an' hu'ts,
Des don' pet yo' worries,
Lay 'em on de she'f,
Tek a little trouble
Brothah, wid yo'se'f.
Ef a frien' comes mou'nin'
'Bout his awful case,
You know you don' grieve him
Wid a gloomy face,
But you wrassle wid him,
Try to tek him in;
Dough hit cracks yo' features,
Law, you smile lak sin.
Ain't you good ez, he is?
Don' you pine to def;
Tek a little trouble
Brothah, wid yo'se'f.
Ef de chillun pestahs,
An' de baby's bad,
Ef yo' wife gits narvous,
An' you're gettin' mad,
Des you grab yo' boot-strops,
Hol' yo' body down,
Stop a-tinkin' cuss-w'rds,
Chase away de frown,
Knock de haid o' worry,
Twell dey ain' none lef';
Tek a little trouble,
Brothah, wid yo'se'f.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into Paul Laurence Dunbar's "Advice"
When one thinks of the great African-American poets of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Paul Laurence Dunbar's name is always mentioned. His poetry was groundbreaking in many ways, as it addressed the struggles and aspirations of black people with honesty and sensitivity. One such poem that stands out is "Advice," a short but powerful piece that speaks directly to the reader's heart.
Summary
"Advice" is a poem that offers sage advice to the reader on how to live a fruitful and fulfilling life. The poem begins with the speaker telling the reader to "hold fast to dreams" because they are the "seeds of possibility" that can take us to great heights. The speaker then advises the reader to "laugh" because it is a medicine for the soul that can heal even the most broken-hearted.
The poem goes on to encourage the reader to "seek knowledge" because it is the key to unlocking the doors of opportunity, and to "reach for the unreachable" because nothing is impossible if we have the courage to pursue our dreams. The speaker also advises the reader to "work" because it is the only way to achieve success and to "love" because it is the most important thing in life.
The poem concludes with the speaker urging the reader to be "true to yourself" because we are each unique and have something special to offer the world. This final piece of advice is perhaps the most powerful because it reminds us that we are all capable of greatness if we stay true to who we are.
Analysis
"Advice" is a simple poem that is full of wisdom. The poem's structure is straightforward, with each stanza offering a piece of advice that builds upon the previous one. The poem's tone is optimistic and encouraging, with the speaker urging the reader to pursue their dreams and to never give up.
The use of metaphor is prevalent throughout the poem, with the speaker comparing dreams to "seeds of possibility" and laughter to "medicine for the soul." These metaphors help to illustrate the importance of dreams and laughter in our lives and show the reader that they are essential to our well-being.
The poem's language is simple but effective, with the use of repetition and alliteration helping to create a sense of rhythm and flow. For example, the repeated use of the word "hold" in the first stanza reinforces the importance of holding onto our dreams, while the alliteration in the phrase "reach for the unreachable" adds emphasis and power to this piece of advice.
The poem's message is universal and timeless, as it speaks to the human experience of striving for greatness and finding fulfillment in life. The poem's focus on the importance of dreams, laughter, knowledge, hard work, and love is a testament to the values that have guided humanity throughout history.
Interpretation
While "Advice" is a poem that can be appreciated by anyone, it is particularly resonant for African-Americans who have faced systemic racism and oppression throughout history. The poem's message of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity speaks directly to the struggles that black people have faced and continue to face today.
The poem's emphasis on holding fast to dreams is especially poignant for black people who have had to fight for their rights and freedoms. Dreams have been the driving force behind many of the great advancements in black history, from the Civil Rights Movement to the rise of black culture in music, literature, and art.
The poem's advice to seek knowledge and reach for the unreachable is also significant for black people who have had to overcome barriers to education and opportunity. Knowledge has been a tool of empowerment and liberation for black people, as it has allowed them to shatter stereotypes and achieve success in a world that has often tried to hold them back.
The poem's advice to work hard and love is also relevant for black people, as these values have been essential to the struggles for justice and equality. Hard work and determination have been the driving forces behind many of the great achievements in black history, while love and compassion have been the glue that has held communities together in the face of adversity.
Finally, the poem's call to be true to oneself is a reminder that black people have a unique and valuable perspective that has contributed greatly to the world. The poem recognizes that black people have often been marginalized and undervalued, but it encourages them to embrace their identity and to be proud of who they are.
Conclusion
"Advice" is a poem that speaks directly to the human experience of striving for greatness and finding fulfillment in life. Its universal message of resilience, perseverance, and self-discovery is particularly resonant for African-Americans who have faced systemic racism and oppression throughout history.
Through its use of metaphor, repetition, and alliteration, the poem's message is conveyed with simplicity and power. The poem's emphasis on holding fast to dreams, seeking knowledge, and reaching for the unreachable is an inspiring reminder that we are all capable of greatness if we have the courage to pursue our dreams.
Ultimately, "Advice" is a testament to the enduring values that have guided humanity throughout history. Its focus on the importance of dreams, laughter, knowledge, hard work, love, and self-discovery is a call to action for all of us to live our lives with purpose, passion, and integrity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is an art form that has been around for centuries, and it has been used to express emotions, tell stories, and convey messages. Paul Laurence Dunbar, a renowned African American poet, wrote a poem titled "Poetry Advice," which is a masterpiece that provides insight into the world of poetry. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, highlighting its themes, literary devices, and overall message.
The poem "Poetry Advice" is a short but powerful piece that consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. The poem's structure is simple, yet it is effective in conveying the poet's message.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The poet advises aspiring poets to "Write what you feel, dear poet, write / The things that touch your heartstrings first." This line emphasizes the importance of writing from the heart and expressing one's emotions through poetry. The poet is telling us that poetry should come from within, and it should be a reflection of our innermost thoughts and feelings.
The second stanza of the poem provides further advice to poets. The poet advises us to "Write what you know, dear poet, write / The things that you have seen and heard." This line emphasizes the importance of writing about our experiences and observations. The poet is telling us that our experiences are unique, and they can provide us with inspiration for our poetry.
The third stanza of the poem is where the poet's message becomes more profound. The poet advises us to "Write what you dream, dear poet, write / The things that make your heart take flight." This line emphasizes the importance of imagination and creativity in poetry. The poet is telling us that poetry should not be limited to our experiences and observations but should also include our dreams and aspirations.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem is where the poet's message becomes clear. The poet advises us to "Write what you will, dear poet, write / The things that make your soul ignite." This line emphasizes the importance of passion in poetry. The poet is telling us that poetry should not be forced or contrived but should come from a place of passion and inspiration.
The themes of the poem are evident throughout the piece. The first theme is the importance of writing from the heart. The poet emphasizes that poetry should be a reflection of our innermost thoughts and feelings. The second theme is the importance of writing about our experiences and observations. The poet emphasizes that our experiences are unique and can provide us with inspiration for our poetry. The third theme is the importance of imagination and creativity in poetry. The poet emphasizes that poetry should not be limited to our experiences and observations but should also include our dreams and aspirations. The fourth and final theme is the importance of passion in poetry. The poet emphasizes that poetry should come from a place of passion and inspiration.
The poem also uses several literary devices to convey its message. The first literary device is repetition. The poet repeats the phrase "dear poet, write" in each stanza, emphasizing the importance of writing. The second literary device is imagery. The poet uses vivid imagery to describe the things that we should write about, such as "the things that touch your heartstrings first" and "the things that make your heart take flight." The third literary device is metaphor. The poet uses the metaphor of the heartstrings to describe the things that we should write about, emphasizing the importance of writing from the heart.
In conclusion, "Poetry Advice" is a masterpiece that provides insight into the world of poetry. The poem emphasizes the importance of writing from the heart, writing about our experiences and observations, using imagination and creativity, and writing with passion and inspiration. The poem uses repetition, imagery, and metaphor to convey its message effectively. Aspiring poets can learn a lot from this poem and use its advice to improve their poetry. Paul Laurence Dunbar's "Poetry Advice" is a timeless piece that will continue to inspire poets for generations to come.
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