"Any Human to Another" by Countee Cullen
Published on Nov 18, 2015
Jaehyun (Jacob) Kim English III modern poetry presentation slide
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
"Any Human to Another" by Countee Cullen
Modern American Poetry Project - Jacob Kim
Photo by VinothChandar
Poet Biography
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHZPVj2JLy0
- Took issues of racism in his work... (example) "incident"
- Contribution to culturally reform America..historical significance
The video (1min 20sec) summarizes Cullen's life and work in poetry.
One example is the poem that our class studied a few months ago... "incident"
--- Cullen wrote about how he was discriminated against when he was a young boy traveling in Baltimore---
That was one example of his work related to racism and humanity.
One example is the poem that our class studied a few months ago... "incident"
--- Cullen wrote about how he was discriminated against when he was a young boy traveling in Baltimore---
That was one example of his work related to racism and humanity.
0. The Title
"Any Human to Another"
Before examining the poem, I thought that it would be more interesting to focus a little on the title.
"Any Human to Another"
---Guess what the main focus or theme the poem would be about? (Generally or specifically) ---
Now, we'll look at 6 different aspects of the poem ... they are
speaker, subject, literary devices, tone, theme, and significantly, how is the poem modern.
"Any Human to Another"
---Guess what the main focus or theme the poem would be about? (Generally or specifically) ---
Now, we'll look at 6 different aspects of the poem ... they are
speaker, subject, literary devices, tone, theme, and significantly, how is the poem modern.
Photo by Leo Reynolds
I. The Speaker
- Nearly not concentrated at all about speaker information
- Keeps mentioning "I" and "me" related to readers ("you") - Stanza 1,2, and 5 -- focus on reason later.
II. The Subject
- Unity - Intertwined nature of human beings
- Grief and sorrow
III. Literary Devices
- Simile (Stanza 1, line 3-6)
- Simile (Stanza 2, line 3-4)
- Oxymoron (Stanza 2, line 5)
- Personification (Stanza 4)
- More visualization... such as Stanza 5..blade and aloe)
IV. Tone
- Tone shifts are utilized.
- Sorrowful (Stanzas 1&2)
- Didactic (Stanzas 3&4)
- Inspirational, Implying (Stanza 5)
V. Theme
- "Any human" is related "to another" - Glance back at title
- - In times of grief and sorrow, people must be together.
VI. How is this modern poetry?
- Structure -- unique and interesting (Allows Impactful tone shifts inside the poem)
- A lot of visualization (previously discussed)
- Cultural/Historical connection - Racial issues in the U.S.
