'Rivals , The' by Paul Laurence Dunbar


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'Twas three an' thirty year ago,
I When I was ruther young, you know,
I had my last an' only fight
About a gal one summer night.
'Twas me an' Zekel Johnson; Zeke
'N' me 'd be'n spattin' 'bout a week,
Each of us tryin' his best to show
That he was Liza Jones's beau.
We couldn't neither prove the thing,
Fur she was fur too sharp to fling
One over fur the other one
An' by so doin' stop the fun
That we chaps didn't have the sense
To see she got at our expense,
But that's the way a feller does,
Fur boys is fools an' allus was.
An' when they's females in the game
I reckon men's about the same.
Well, Zeke an' me went on that way
An' fussed an' quarrelled day by day;
While Liza, mindin' not the fuss,
Jest kep' a-goin' with both of us,
Tell we pore chaps, that's Zeke an' me,
Was jest plum mad with jealousy.
Well, fur a time we kep' our places,
An' only showed by frownin' faces
An' looks 'at well our meanin' boded
How full o' fight we both was loaded.
At last it come, the thing broke out,
An' this is how it come about.
One night ('t was fair, you'll all agree)
I got Eliza's company,
An' leavin' Zekel in the lurch,
Went trottin' off with her to church.
An' jest as we had took our seat
(Eliza lookin' fair an' sweet),
Why, I jest couldn't help but grin
When Zekel come a-bouncin' in
As furious as the law allows.
He'd jest be'n up to Liza's house,
To find her gone, then come to church
To have this end put to his search.
I guess I laffed that meetin' through,
An' not a mortal word I knew
Of what the preacher preached er read
Er what the choir sung er said.
Fur every time I'd turn my head
I couldn't skeercely help but see
'At Zekel had his eye on me.
An' he 'ud sort o' turn an' twist
An' grind his teeth an' shake his fist.
I laughed, fur la! the hull church seen us,
An' knowed that suthin' was between us.
Well, meetin' out, we started hum,
I sorter feelin' what would come.
We'd jest got out, when up stepped Zeke,
An' said, "Scuse me, I'd like to speak
To you a minute." "Cert," said I --
A-nudgin' Liza on the sly
An' laughin' in my sleeve with glee,
I asked her, please, to pardon me.
We walked away a step er two,
Jest to git out o' Liza's view,
An' then Zeke said, "I want to know
Ef you think you're Eliza's beau,
An' 'at I'm goin' to let her go
Hum with sich a chap as you?"
An' I said bold, "You bet I do."
Then Zekel, sneerin', said 'at he
Didn't want to hender me.
But then he 'lowed the gal was his
An' 'at he guessed he knowed his biz,
An' wasn't feared o' all my kin
With all my friends an' chums throwed in.
Some other things he mentioned there
That no born man could no ways bear
Er think o' ca'mly tryin' to stan'
Ef Zeke had be'n the bigges' man
In town, an' not the leanest runt
'At time an' labor ever stunt.
An' so I let my fist go "bim,"
I thought I'd mos' nigh finished him.
But Zekel didn't take it so.
He jest ducked down an' dodged my blow
An' then come back at me so hard,
I guess I must 'a' hurt the yard,
Er spilet the grass plot where I fell,
An' sakes alive it hurt me; well,
It wouldn't be'n so bad, you see,
But he jest kep' a-hittin' me.
An' I hit back an' kicked an' pawed,
But 't seemed 'twas mostly air I clawed,
While Zekel used his science well
A-makin' every motion tell.
He punched an' hit, why, goodness lands,
Seemed like he had a dozen hands.
Well, afterwhile they stopped the fuss,
An' some one kindly parted us.
All beat an' cuffed an' clawed an' scratched,
An' needin' both our faces patched,
Each started hum a different way;
An' what o' Liza, do you say,
Why, Liza -- little humbug -- dern her,
Why, she'd gone home with Hiram Turner.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Poetry, Rivals, The" by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Have you ever read a poem that was so powerful, it transported you to another world? That's exactly what "Poetry, Rivals, The" by Paul Laurence Dunbar does. It's a poem that captures the essence of competition, artistry, and the struggle to achieve greatness.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll dive deep into the poem and explore its themes, literary devices, and Dunbar's unique style. By the end of this essay, you'll have a better appreciation for this classic poem and what it represents.

Summary

Before we get started, let's do a quick summary of the poem. "Poetry, Rivals, The" is a poem about two poets who are vying for the title of the greatest poet. The first poet is proud and arrogant, boasting about his skills and his ability to write the best verses. The second poet is humble and reserved, quietly confident in his own abilities.

The two poets go head-to-head, each writing a poem on the same subject. The first poet writes a beautiful, flowery poem that is full of grandiose language and metaphors. The second poet, on the other hand, writes a simple, honest poem that speaks directly to the heart.

In the end, it is the second poet who wins the title of the greatest poet, because his poem was true and authentic, while the first poet's poem was full of empty rhetoric.

Themes

At its core, "Poetry, Rivals, The" is a poem about the struggle for artistic greatness. It's about the competition between artists and the lengths they will go to prove their superiority.

One of the main themes of the poem is the idea that true greatness comes from authenticity. The second poet wins the competition because his poem is honest and true to himself, while the first poet's poem is full of false grandeur.

Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea that simplicity is often more powerful than complexity. The second poet's poem is simple and straightforward, yet it speaks directly to the heart. The first poet's poem is full of complex metaphors and flowery language, but it ultimately falls flat because it lacks authenticity.

Literary Devices

Dunbar uses a variety of literary devices in "Poetry, Rivals, The" to convey his themes and ideas. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. Dunbar uses vivid, descriptive language to paint a picture of the two poets and their poems.

For example, in the first stanza, Dunbar writes:

Two poets once, beneath a spreading tree, Sat dreaming when the leaves were mute and still.

This simple image sets the scene for the entire poem, and it immediately conveys a sense of peacefulness and stillness.

Dunbar also uses metaphor to great effect. The first poet's poem is full of grandiose metaphors that ultimately ring hollow, while the second poet's poem is grounded in simple, honest metaphors.

Finally, Dunbar uses repetition to drive home his themes. The phrase "His rival's song was like a lyric clear" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the contrast between the two poets' styles.

Style

Dunbar's style in "Poetry, Rivals, The" is both simple and powerful. He uses straightforward language that is easy to understand, yet his imagery and metaphors are rich and vivid.

One of the things that makes Dunbar's style so effective is his use of contrast. The contrast between the two poets and their poems is what drives the entire poem, and it's what makes the ending so satisfying.

Another aspect of Dunbar's style is his use of meter and rhyme. The poem has a consistent meter, which helps to give it a sense of rhythm and flow. The rhyme scheme is also consistent throughout, which adds to the poem's musicality.

Interpretation

So what does "Poetry, Rivals, The" mean? At its heart, the poem is a commentary on the nature of art and the struggle for artistic greatness. It's a reminder that true greatness comes from authenticity, not from empty rhetoric or grandiose language.

Dunbar is also making a statement about the power of simplicity. The second poet's poem is simple and honest, yet it speaks directly to the heart. The first poet's poem, on the other hand, is full of complex metaphors and flowery language, but it ultimately falls flat because it lacks authenticity.

Finally, "Poetry, Rivals, The" is a celebration of the power of art to transport us to another world. Dunbar's use of imagery and metaphor creates a vivid picture of the two poets and their poems, and it allows us to enter into their world and experience the competition firsthand.

Conclusion

"Poetry, Rivals, The" is a classic poem that captures the essence of competition and the struggle for artistic greatness. Through its vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and simple yet effective style, Dunbar conveys a powerful message about the nature of art and what it means to be a true artist.

As you read and reread the poem, you'll begin to appreciate its subtleties and nuances. You'll see how Dunbar uses contrast, repetition, and metaphor to convey his themes, and you'll begin to understand why this poem has endured for so long.

In the end, "Poetry, Rivals, The" is a reminder that true greatness comes from authenticity and simplicity, and that the power of art can transport us to another world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Rivals: The Classic Work by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions, thoughts, and ideas. It is a form of art that has the power to move people, inspire them, and make them feel alive. One of the most celebrated poets of all time is Paul Laurence Dunbar, who was born in 1872 in Dayton, Ohio. He was the son of former slaves and grew up in poverty, but he had a gift for writing poetry that captured the hearts of many.

One of Dunbar's most famous works is Poetry Rivals, a poem that explores the idea of competition among poets. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and literary devices used in Poetry Rivals.

Themes

The main theme of Poetry Rivals is competition. Dunbar explores the idea of poets competing with each other to be the best, to be recognized, and to be remembered. He portrays this competition as a battle, where poets fight with their words, their ideas, and their emotions. The poem is a commentary on the nature of competition and how it can bring out the best and worst in people.

Another theme that Dunbar explores in Poetry Rivals is the power of words. He shows how words can be used to inspire, to motivate, and to move people. He also shows how words can be used to hurt, to insult, and to destroy. Dunbar's use of language in this poem is a testament to the power of words and their ability to shape our world.

Structure

Poetry Rivals is a sonnet, a 14-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of this poem is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This structure gives the poem a sense of order and symmetry, which contrasts with the chaotic nature of the competition that Dunbar describes.

The poem is divided into two parts. The first part, which consists of the first eight lines, sets the scene and introduces the idea of competition among poets. The second part, which consists of the last six lines, is where Dunbar delivers his message and his commentary on the nature of competition.

Literary Devices

Dunbar uses a variety of literary devices in Poetry Rivals to convey his message and to create a vivid image of the competition among poets. One of the most prominent literary devices that he uses is metaphor. He compares poets to soldiers, who fight with their words instead of weapons. This metaphor creates a powerful image of the competition and emphasizes the intensity of the battle.

Another literary device that Dunbar uses in Poetry Rivals is personification. He personifies poetry itself, giving it a voice and a will of its own. This personification adds depth to the poem and highlights the importance of poetry in our lives.

Dunbar also uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the competition. He describes the poets as "fierce and wild," and their words as "sharp and bright." This imagery creates a sense of danger and excitement, which adds to the intensity of the competition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poetry Rivals is a powerful poem that explores the theme of competition among poets. Dunbar's use of metaphor, personification, and imagery creates a vivid image of the competition and emphasizes the power of words. The structure of the poem adds to its impact, giving it a sense of order and symmetry that contrasts with the chaotic nature of the competition. Poetry Rivals is a classic work of poetry that continues to inspire and move readers today.

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