Booker T. & WEB Poem Analysis

Booker t. & w.e.b:

Take a moment to read individually and QUIETLY the poem I am giving you. The poem I am giving you is your copy to write on when we are analyzing it.

The disagreement between Booker T. and W.E.B. feels like a larger question about progress and change. Do you think people still face similar debates today, about the best way to create equality or opportunity?

• Now, I want you all to listen to Dudley reading the poem

• https://blogs.loc.gov/catbird/2020/01/literary-treasures-dudley-randall-reads-his-poetry-at-the-library-of-congress-1975/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
  

• How does hearing Randall’s voice change the way you feel about the poem? What emotions or tones do you notice in his voice? Did he sound neutral, admiring, frustrated, or something else? 

• How does that affect how you see each man’s ideas?

We will go stanza by stanza...

Stanza one: booker t speaking

“It seems to me,” said Booker T.,

“It shows a mighty lot of cheek

To study chemistry and Greek

When Mister Charlie needs a hand

To hoe the cotton on his land,

And when Miss Ann looks for a cook,

Why stick your nose inside a book?”

Sometimes we can come up with different meanings...

This shows us something important: Booker T.’s diction can be interpreted in different ways depending on the reader’s tone. That’s exactly what we mean by nuances in meaning, one word can suggest pride to one person and submission to another.

Based on what we’ve seen, Booker T.’s diction is simple, steady, and rooted in work and stability. His tone feels practical... almost like he’s saying, ‘Let’s prove ourselves through effort, not argument.’

Now that we understand his idea of progress, let’s look at someone who completely disagreed with him…

“I don’t agree,” said W.E.B.,

“If I should have the drive to seek

Knowledge of chemistry or Greek,

I’ll do it. Charles and Miss can look

Another place for hand or cook.

Some men rejoice in skill of hand,

And some in cultivating land,

But there are others who maintain

The right to cultivate the brain.”