Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Hattie McDaniel Arrives at the Coconut Grove," Rita Dove captures a defining moment for actress Hattie McDaniel with vivid imagery and sharp social commentary. The poem not only commemorates McDaniel's historic Oscar win in 1940 for her role in "Gone with the Wind" but also delves deep into the racial tensions and contradictions of the time.

The poem begins with McDaniel's glamorous arrival at the Coconut Grove in Hollywood, California, for the Oscars. Adorned in "aqua and ermine," with "gardenias scaling her left sleeve in a spasm of scent," Dove paints McDaniel as a figure of elegance and prominence. This description sets a stark contrast to the roles she was relegated to play—those of maids and subservient characters. The "spasm of scent" suggests a burst of visibility in an environment where she was typically invisible except in service roles.

The date, February 29th, underscores the rarity of the occasion, likening McDaniel’s presence at such a prestigious event to a leap year phenomenon—exceptional and unusual. Dove notes it’s “the day that isn’t,” at the end of “the shortest month of the year”—and the shittiest, too," which can be seen as a reference to Black History Month, a time meant to celebrate African American achievements yet ironically, also highlighting the brevity and marginalization of Black history and accomplishments.

As McDaniel strides into the ballroom, Dove asks, "what can she be thinking of, striding into the ballroom where no black face has ever showed itself except above a serving tray?" This rhetorical question points to the courage and defiance of McDaniel against the racial barriers of her time. Despite her success, she enters a space where she is a pioneer, yet still not fully accepted as an equal.

Dove also explores the duality of McDaniel's public persona and private struggles. She lists the derogatory and typecast roles—"Hi-Hat Hattie, Mama Mac, Her Haughtiness"—while recalling McDaniel's forgotten personal triumphs and tragedies, such as her "four husbands" and "phantom pregnancy." Dove illuminates the woman behind the characters, revealing a vibrant life overshadowed by the limiting stereotypes imposed on her.

A poignant moment in the poem is the recounting of McDaniel's sharp wit in dealing with racism. When advised to eliminate her "common" acquaintances, McDaniel's retort to "start right now by eliminating you" underscores her resilience and refusal to conform to racist expectations.

Ultimately, Dove highlights McDaniel's indomitable spirit, her "spontaneous smile—your trademark, your curse." This smile, while endearing to audiences, is also a symbol of the roles she was forced to play, masking the full range of her talents and the breadth of her humanity.

The poem concludes with a powerful image of McDaniel taking her time as she walks toward a "flower-smothered standing ovation," a moment of triumph that is hers alone to savor. Dove's closing lines, "so go on and make them wait," serve as a defiant command to recognize McDaniel's worth on her own terms, celebrating her dignity and her groundbreaking journey as she reclaims her time and space in Hollywood history.

Rita Dove’s poem is a tribute to Hattie McDaniel that does more than just honor her; it reclaims her narrative, presenting her as a complex individual navigating and challenging the racial and social dynamics of her time.

POEM TEXT: https://poets.org/poem/hattie-mcdaniel-arrives-coconut-grove

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