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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"The Enactment" by Rita Dove is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that dramatizes the strategic planning behind the iconic act of civil disobedience by Rosa Parks, though the poem uses the pseudonym Mary Ware. Through its contemplative tone and detailed narrative, the poem explores themes of agency, sacrifice, and the orchestration of events that catalyzed a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. The poem begins with a stark dismissal of who could not be the face of the movement: "Can’t use no teenager, especially / no poor black trash," indicating the calculated nature of choosing a representative who could garner wide sympathy and support. This opening sets a pragmatic tone, emphasizing that the choice of who would publicly challenge segregation laws was strategic, not random. The criteria for the chosen individual are laid out methodically: "It’s gotta be a woman, / someone of standing: / preferably shy, preferably married." These qualities were likely selected to ensure that the individual would be seen as respectable and relatable, thereby making the injustice of her treatment more palpable to a broader audience. The mention of shyness and marital status plays into societal perceptions of femininity and propriety, which could influence public empathy and media coverage. The narrative then moves to the specific incident, requiring the chosen woman to know "when the moment’s right" to take action. The poem describes her as enduring discomfort and maintaining politeness even when confronted by the same bus driver who had mistreated her years earlier. This historical reference not only grounds the poem in a specific personal history but also highlights the long-standing nature of the struggle against racial discrimination. As the situation escalates, the poem focuses on the precise moment of defiance and its immediate consequences: "Then all she’s got to do is / sit there, quiet, till / the next moment finds her—and only then / can she open her mouth to ask / Why do you push us around?" The calm and calculated manner in which she addresses the bus driver, followed by his admission of ignorance and adherence to the law, underscores the absurdity and injustice of the laws themselves. The poem concludes with her arrest and the orchestrated response that follows: "She must sit there, and not smile / as they enter to carry her off; she must know who to call / who will know whom else to call / to bail her out." This reveals the planned nature of her protest, which was designed to attract attention and catalyze action within the Civil Rights Movement. The image of her walking "into flashbulbs and / her employer’s white / arms—and go home, / and sit down in the seat / we have prepared for her" symbolizes both her return to the community that supported her and the broader societal stage that awaited her action. Overall, "The Enactment" by Rita Dove skillfully encapsulates a significant historical event with deep personal and political implications. By focusing on the calculated and communal preparation behind Rosa Parks' act of defiance, Dove illuminates the collective and strategic efforts involved in challenging systemic injustice. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the individual courage and community planning essential to effecting social change.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NIGHTMARE BEGINS RESPONSIBILITY by MICHAEL S. HARPER BLACK WOMAN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON FOREDOOM by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON I MUST BECOME A MENACE TO MY ENEMIES by JUNE JORDAN A SONG FOR SOWETO by JUNE JORDAN ON THE LOSS OF ENERGY (AND OTHER THINGS) by JUNE JORDAN POEM ABOUT POLICE VIOLENCE by JUNE JORDAN DRAFT OF A RAP FOR WEN HO LEE by JUNE JORDAN THE NIGHT THAT LORCA COMES by BOB KAUFMAN |
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