i believe this is hinting at edgar allan poe, where that was where his home was he was considered "mad" for his behavior and writing

i see why the people at the time made his work such a big deal for how graphically raw it was

white gymnasiums seems oddly specific, it reminded me of a mental treatment rooms with white walls

this prose type informal structure is one of my favorite things about the piece

the repetition of "who" reminds me of a chant for how long its repeated

This connection of these lines, I can only imagine is hinting at infants for the croon and lullabies. That the infants are not the only ones who have a new start of life. The point of view of not spending time on death and instead celebrating birth of those entering the community.

I looked into the meaning of Inez the name and it does mean pure and holy. This may tie into the "lambent' flames which is hinting at a potential fire. Fire is used to symbolize the presence of God. This firey imagery may connect to the red mouth but contrast with the soft pure flower.

So what I can collect with this information in this stanza is that this biblical reference is asking for forgiveness through prayer. Connecting "those" with Jesus who wear the thorns. I am trying to reconnect this with the title. That the speaker is turning to prayer for change and guidance when given this distress.

These two dances were popular in the 1920's. They were both in some way shape and form derived from African Americans. These were well known dances expressing joy. Although according to the speaker these popular dances did not do justice to how grand the dancing was. This scene of dance that is spoken by the reader is so uniquely described in all aspects.

This line is a direct jab at those who discriminate the black community when the American land would be nothing without them. This obscure definition of what makes someone "American" still lives on sadly. The tone in the poem shifts at this line. The body of the poem was hopeful and full of light. This line sounds more defeated and blue, like a child trying to prove themselves to someone.

I read this and immediately thought of the oppression that the black community has endured for years ("ancient"). Like river that is continuous, it seems like no end. "Rivers' is now a person that embodies the oppression and has been living on this earth for so long it has its place and flows in the world. "Grown deep like the rivers" is a metaphor to how deep rooted the racism stems that is far beyond just words but actions, way of living, and society.

Segregation is directly shown in this stanza although instead of picking up the blatant wrong in the text and unpacking that, the author flips the narrative. Opens up the fact that their time is coming and to stay patient.

Locke is very intricate with his words and that shows throughout. This almost new birth that is stated is such a powerful metaphor. He knew the impact of this metaphor because of what it entails. Once a community of butterflies break out of their shells, they flutter throughout the community and provide such beauty and positive attributions to the the earth. Also to point out nature evolves with the world and is the backbone of keeping it from deterioration.

Locke creates this realistic approach on how there will be setbacks on evolving race relationships. I think the selected words used in this quotation amplifies the message. It reflects very well on society currently that there is a lot of triumphs in race relationships but there is also larger deliberate obstructions as time goes on.

This reminds me of the misconstrued ideas of the black community where there was offensive art and caricatures that were the only thing that was shown to society. Very much manipulating society and not giving the community any way to dispute.

Th development is truly shown in this text. The earlier quote of associating beauty with white has now shifted to beauty in the black culture. Embracing who they are is what makes a person genuine and that will reflect in the writing.

This gives a very specific mindset of how white people are seen through their eyes. It gives a very religious/spiritual tone with words in this text and that it is far beyond the white race receiving a pedestal in life. It is more of a glorified kind of person in a sense that there is only admiration.

There is a lot to unpack right away in the text. I feel like at the time the success of white poets were seen a lot higher than any other race. Or that any person of color poets only attracted those of that race or a specific community. Or that any black poet filtered what they would say for there was a lot of backlash that could unfold. If you continue reading the next sentence verifies that as well. Embracing your race is a positive trait that stands you out and and makes your writing more authentic instead of conforming. Although I understand that may have been harder at this time to grasp.

Dry bones indicating death but a small ray of hope with the roster and flash of lighting, symbolizing life and rain, maybe a new start?

Is this death walking beside them? Either a more grim entity or Jesus himself who both reflect death may be neither just opposite directions of afterlife.

The detailed color of brown to describe the fog is to me an obvious metaphor of death swallowing those under it.

Who is the narrator referring to when saying "us"? Is this the narrator speaking to an old friend or friends? Or is this just a character? All we know is the speaker has known these individuals or individual for some time because the stanza gives us exact chronological dates with months.

(sorry it did't post to the public) this stanza with the word "witness" "no one to drive the car" it obviously is a car crash but to me sounds like a hit and run: running away from something or someone With this context it changes the intensity of the stanza

I don't believe the colors of the surroundings are a coincidence. The colors are very dark, purple and brown. The colors aren't in detail but you can assume a plum purple and more dirt brown. The colors of somebody or something who is hurt or dying.

Excluding Sunday is obviously a tie to religious purposes. Which is full of irony for the fact all "filth" like sins and temptations can be pursued other than Sundays. The facade of people who preach and live completely opposite.

This poem to me sounded like a veteran that became homeless and may have resorted to drugs. Most veterans don't get the proper care they need financially and mentally which leads to awful circumstances. Indications with 'pride he wore", "what power has bought you low", "poor scattered mouth".

This poem goes full circle. It's almost like the narrator is trying to convince themselves with what they're saying that "Love is not all" then slowly progressively realizes that they don't believe that either.

These lines I believe reflect men who refuse they don't need love and go roaming the world looking for a woman for a night. Although deep down they crave intimate interaction with someone who they will love and love them back. Nothing compares to a deep connection with an individual.

Other than the poem's complex meaning that is such a blueprint for poetry, the lines all coincide. The rhyme is intricate and amazes me. He manages to make every stanza flourish on its own. I wonder how long it took to write such a piece that balances rhythm and form.

This text isn't one overflowing with substance but it's whats done with such little words and context is what makes it. The rhyme is sly and subtle which I can imagine wasn't very easy to do. Frost can make any small event/situation sound elegant.

The whole piece is just one continuous motion no breaks. Aside from that the text rolls so nicely off the tongue and the words are so simple yet perfectly placed.

This text makes me believe the character is in a mental state where they are coming close to accepting death. I also am wondering if these friends that are spoken about were not really friends but past friends. They might explain why they feel the way they do, guilt? Or if the character distanced themselves away from the town and the people for whatever reason and is regretting it. For the character is always an outsider looking at the town.

We can only guess why the author would provide the "jug" in this text not only once but several. Using context clues we can believe it is wine and or beer. If that is true the character is drunk and is deep into their feelings and that's why they feel so lonely. Being under the influence is effecting the character so much they don't see much "ahead of him" This makes the ending so sad for we are only left knowing the character is having negative thoughts of loneliness and death.

Right away the author gives so much to the readers with saying so little. We know the main character and the age bracket that they are a senior. As well as they are alone so we can assume maybe their significant other has passed or their friends have passed and that's why they might be alone. Also makes you wonder why the character is climbing a hill at their old age?

Just like in THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN, Adams would describe the dynamo more and more intricately just how in this text the narrator has progressively given the yellow wallpaper so much detail that she has given it life.

John doesn't like the narrator to write which seems understandable for his poor and traditional view of woman. Yet in “Of Our Spiritual Strivings” the narrator knows and understands the power of voice and language. John is fearful of his wife being knowledgeable then becoming more vocal, where Du Bois relied on his words to make change in America.

In this text the woman is the main character, struggling with mental illness and the sad reality of men speaking for woman. In THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN, a woman is spoken of but almost like a fictional character comparing her to a goddess. Although they both intertwine on the topic of "reproduction" because our narrator in this text is being effected by the aftermath of pregnancy where in THE DYNAMO AND THE VIRGIN the woman is to me sounds like she is she glorified.

I have to be honest I looked up a few words to understand the full context of this text even though I was unaware of a few words the passion of the text spoke to me. The metaphor of the "double aims" is so powerful. It also reminded me of a religious reference, the temptation of doing wrong (quackery) and "the criticism of the world". It feels very much like prayer, like asking for forgiveness "ashamed" of what has been done. That the admitting of all this that was driven by temptation from the world like it's almost a confession. This text alone there is just so much to pick apart.

This whole paragraph is pure imagery. Du Bois could have wrote this whole paragraph by just naming examples of lost opportunities because of race but this was the farthest from it. Reading this not only has such vivid figurative language but explains that people would assume that from this analysis that the speaker doesn't want to be the race they are for the hardships that follow. Although that is incorrect and explains that in this world you can not be black and American. Then finishes off the paragraph with such powerful imagery. This paragraph could stand alone.

This introduction was interesting to me because the back to back question and answer to me sets a tone right away. It sounds like the author is speaking to himself but as the text goes on the rhythm rises and lowers as if the speaker is unsure. The end of the paragraph also isn't an in depth answer to the question that was presented, it's more a response of defeat.

Easiest to handle? What made the Virgin this way to Adam? We don't know too much about the Virgin so we can't agree or disagree, did the author do this on purpose?

I am slightly confused why the mentions of women are so stern? This text continuously discusses reproduction. I am aware this is an older text but why is the description of a woman merely focused on gender related purposes? Also this paragraph stands out because it finally mentions a woman. Does the author have a personal connection or disconnect with women?

This sentence raised an interesting point. Education has lost value in my perspective for we aren't challenging and or changing what is being taught. It is the same information that our parents were taught and it will just continue that way. Also, education is not sitting in a classroom anymore, if you really want to learn current vital information anyone can access that information online. Learning new subjects has evolved and now is as simple as entering words into a search bar.

What is "Gutted cars" hinting at? This line, I believe is referring to Mother Nature. If that is true, does the author hint at "Gutted cars" as trying to rid the earth of humans? Is Mother Nature calling her "little ones" which I could assume are the animals?

The author speaking is white, why did he make that apparent with this line? Is he trying to make a racial point?

Is this speaking about animals or humans? If it is about animals, is it the Lion's bones that need sharpening or whosever sharpened bones will they be used against the Lion?

Lions are the symbol for the zodiac sign of Leos