Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Michael S. Harper (1938-2016) was an African American poet and educator known for his powerful and innovative poetry that explored themes of race, identity, history, and the African American experience. Born on March 18, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, Harper's poetry often combined personal reflection with broader social and cultural commentary.

Harper's poem "Paul Laurence Dunbar: 1872-1906" written in 1972 pays tribute to Paul Laurence Dunbar, the prominent African American poet, novelist, and playwright of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Dunbar's work often grappled with issues of racial identity, oppression, and the complexities of African American life during a time of significant social change.

In this poem, Harper references the "headrags, bandages" that symbolize the legacy of slavery and the lasting effects of plantation traditions on African American identity. The metaphor of the "smokehouse" may allude to the historical context of slavery and the hardships faced by African Americans.

The mention of "Newport, RI" refers to a location that contrasts with the historical struggles mentioned earlier, suggesting a place of luxury and privilege. The line "A knotted metaphor collapsed in foyer" may signify the challenges faced by Dunbar in navigating and transcending racial stereotypes and societal expectations.

"Miss Anne" could be a reference to a white woman, potentially a symbol of the white audience that Dunbar's work aimed to engage with. The reference to "the elevator" and "standard / Imperfect lyrics" might imply that Dunbar's artistic efforts aimed to elevate and educate both African Americans and white audiences, even if his work was not always perfectly understood or appreciated.

The repeated phrase "Double-conscious brother in the veil" alludes to W.E.B. Du Bois's concept of "double consciousness," which refers to the internal conflict experienced by African Americans as they navigate their own sense of identity within a society that often views them through a distorted lens. The "veil" is a metaphor for the societal barriers and racial divisions that hinder true understanding and unity.

Overall, Harper's poem engages with the complexities of Paul Laurence Dunbar's legacy and the ongoing struggle for African American identity and equality. It reflects on the historical and cultural context of Dunbar's time while also acknowledging the challenges that persist in contemporary society.

Poem Snippet:

Minstrel and mask;

A landscape of speech and body

burned in verbal space,

The match cinder understandard:

Double-conscious brother in the veil -

Double-conscious brother in the veil:

Double-conscious brother in the veil.

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