Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | ||||||||
"Saturday's Child" is a poem by Countee Cullen, first published in 1925. The poem reflects on the speaker's experience growing up as a black child in America, and the challenges and discrimination he faced because of his race. Explanation: The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on the traditional nursery rhyme "Monday's Child", which describes the characteristics of children born on each day of the week. The speaker notes that he was born on a Saturday, which according to the rhyme means he is "loving and giving." However, the speaker notes that the world has not always treated him kindly, due to his race. He describes the discrimination and hatred he has faced, and the way in which it has affected his sense of self-worth. The poem concludes with the speaker asserting his pride in his identity as a black man. Poetic Elements:
Conclusion: "Saturday's Child" is a powerful and introspective poem that explores the complex issues of identity, racism, and self-worth. Through the use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition, Countee Cullen captures the depth and complexity of the speaker's experience, and reflects on the possibility of pride and self-worth in the face of discrimination. Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE TO BIG TREND by TERRANCE HAYES AFTER WORKING SIXTY HOURS AGAIN FOR WHAT REASON by HICOK. BOB DAY JOB AND NIGHT JOB by ANDREW HUDGINS BIXBY'S LANDING by ROBINSON JEFFERS ON BUILDING WITH STONE by ROBINSON JEFFERS LINES FROM A PLUTOCRATIC POETASTER TO A DITCH-DIGGER by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS IN CALIFORNIA: MORNING, EVENING, LATE JANUARY by DENISE LEVERTOV |
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