Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

CRISPUS ATTUCKS, by JAY WRIGHT Poet Analysis Poet's Biography

"Crispus Attucks" is a poem by Jay Wright, published in 1987 in his collection "Selected Poems of Jay Wright." The poem draws inspiration from the life and death of Crispus Attucks, an African American man who was one of the first casualties of the American Revolution.

Explanation:

The poem opens with an epigraph from the Declaration of Independence, emphasizing the ideal of equality that motivated the American Revolution. The speaker then invokes the memory of Crispus Attucks, describing him as a "visionary brother" whose "ghost" haunts the "shadows" of American history. The poem is structured around a series of questions, each one exploring different aspects of Attucks' life and legacy.

The first question asks who Attucks was, and the second suggests that he may have been a former slave. The third question imagines him as a sailor, navigating the seas with "an unquenchable thirst for freedom." The fourth question highlights the historical significance of his death, as the first victim of British troops in the Boston Massacre. The final question wonders what Attucks would say to the speaker if he were alive today, and suggests that his message would be one of freedom and justice for all.

Poetic Elements:

Form: The poem is structured around a series of five questions, each one beginning with the word "who." This repetition creates a sense of incantation, inviting the reader to join the speaker in honoring the memory of Crispus Attucks.
Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery to evoke the life and death of Crispus Attucks, from his seafaring adventures to his violent end. The image of his "ghost" haunting the shadows of American history is particularly striking.
Tone: The tone of the poem is reverent and respectful, conveying a sense of awe and admiration for Attucks' courage and sacrifice.

Conclusion:

"Crispus Attucks" is a powerful tribute to a forgotten hero of American history. By asking a series of questions, Jay Wright invites the reader to contemplate the significance of Attucks' life and legacy, and to consider how his vision of freedom and justice might inspire us today.

Poem Snippet:

"Who are you, Crispus Attucks,

first to die, visionary brother?

What shadow or joy

filled your untutored heart?"