Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"David Walker (1785-1830)" by Rita Dove is a stirring tribute to a pivotal figure in American history, renowned for his radical anti-slavery stance and his influential pamphlet *David Walker's Appeal*. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Dove recounts Walker's commitment to the abolitionist cause and the intense personal and social struggles he faced.

The poem opens by addressing the irony of Walker's situation: "Free to travel, he still couldn't be shown how lucky he was." Despite his freedom, the systemic oppression and violence faced by African Americans overshadow any sense of liberty he might have felt. This sets the tone for the poem, highlighting the harsh realities that fueled Walker's activism.

Dove paints a grim picture of the treatment of African Americans through Walker's perspective: "They strip and beat and drag us about like rattlesnakes." The violence is stark and brutal, emphasizing the cruelty and inhumanity that Walker fought against. His life in Boston on Brattle Street is marked by his observance of daily injustices, even as he goes about his routine, working at a counter, interacting with customers in "white caps, ale-stained pea coats."

The imagery of "Compass needles, eloquent as tuning forks, shivered, pointing north" symbolizes the tension between the oppressive reality of the South and the relative freedom of the North, along with the constant underlying drive towards liberation.

The poem also reflects on the personal toll of Walker's activism. The lines "Evenings, the ceiling fan sputtered like a second pulse. / Oh Heaven! I am full!! I can hardly move my pen!!!" convey his exhaustion and the overwhelming burden of his mission. Despite this, he persists, distributing his pamphlets covertly, which spread among seamen and across states, stirring reactions wherever they went: "Outrage. Incredulity. Uproar in state legislatures."

Dove captures the mixed responses to Walker's work, from the condescension of the "jewelled canaries in the lecture halls" who patronizingly pressed his "dark hand between their gloves," to the vehement opposition from those he criticized. His words in the pamphlet are quoted directly, underscoring his bold, unflinching critique of the condition of African Americans: "We are the most wretched, degraded and abject set of beings that ever lived since the world began."

The narrative continues with the juxtaposition of public perception and private conviction. The man on the corner, proclaiming happiness at his lot in life, starkly contrasts with Walker's impassioned pleas for radical change. Walker’s pamphlets go through multiple editions, indicating their impact and the growing support for his cause, even as they provoke fear and backlash from the establishment: "The abolitionist press is perfectly appalled."

Tragically, the poem ends with Walker's death, his body found "face-down in the doorway at Brattle Street," a somber reminder of the dangers he faced. His physical frailty in death contrasts sharply with the strength of his convictions, a poignant end to a life of profound courage and commitment.

Overall, Rita Dove's "David Walker (1785-1830)" is a powerful portrayal of a man who was a beacon for abolition, reflecting the intense struggles and the enduring hope of the fight against slavery. The poem blends historical detail with lyrical poignancy, offering a compelling tribute to Walker's life and legacy.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Collected_Poems_1974_2004/fRyZCgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1

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