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The Collected Poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar
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Manufacturer: University of Virginia Press
Author: Paul Laurence Dunbar
Publisher: University of Virginia Press
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Our Price: $17.12
You Save: $ 4.83 ( 22% )
Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: University of Virginia Press
Author: Paul Laurence Dunbar
Publisher: University of Virginia Press
Average Customer Rating:
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The Collected Poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar Description
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 811.4
EAN: 9780813914381
ISBN: 0813914388
Label: University of Virginia Press
Manufacturer: University of Virginia Press
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 396
Publication Date: 1993-07
Publisher: University of Virginia Press
Studio: University of Virginia Press
Dewey Decimal Number: 811.4
EAN: 9780813914381
ISBN: 0813914388
Label: University of Virginia Press
Manufacturer: University of Virginia Press
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 396
Publication Date: 1993-07
Publisher: University of Virginia Press
Studio: University of Virginia Press
Editorial Review of The Collected Poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar
Customer Reviews of The Collected Poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar
Customer Rating: 
Review Summary: For Singing Caged Birds (of any color)......
Review: Gifted but impeded by societal racial prejudice, yet clinging to a future hope -- this is what enters into the dual voice of Paul Laurence Dunbar, a most underesteemed poet and "America's first professional black literary man." In this largest collection of Dunbar poetry (60 more poems than the "complete" collection), the editor first recounts Dunbar's bio: born to former slaves, raised by his mother, once desired to study law at Harvard, but resigned to menial jobs before being hired by the elderly Frederick Douglass, marrying, being misapprehended by critics, separating, contracting tuberculosis, turning to the bottle and dying in 1906 at age 33. Then Braxton's 28-page intro, despite a quick acknowledgment that Dunbar's poetry "transcends race and locality," dwells on Dunbar as African-American poet whose verse needs to be reclaimed. Yet Dunbar was so much more than a black writer and a misunderstood poet who endured struggles; he was a believer in Jesus Christ who therefore looked forward with optimism, and shared a universal message inspirational for Christians of any color. The editor focuses instead on Dunbar's race-related controversy that centers on the question of black voice. Dunbar wrote plantation dialect poems as well as traditional, standard English verse, and received catch-22 criticism for both, being accused of perpetuating stereotypes or accomadationism or ignoring black folk traditions. Personally, I just have a hard time reading dialect writing and am more interested in his other poems, which are beautiful in their understatement, faith, angst, hope, and irony. For example, Dunbar's "Sympathy," starts off seemingly chipper, but it's not what it first seems, and takes us thru pain, yet not leaving us there, turns upward and in characteristic Dunbar manner ultimately emotes a melancholy hope:
"I know what the caged bird feels, alas!
When the sun is bright on the upland slopes..."
...
"I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,--
When he beats his bars and he would be free;..."
...
"It is not a carol of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core,...
...
I know why the caged bird sings!"
What Christian of any color can't appreciate that message? (Other personal favorites--"Slow Through The Dark," "Resignation," "When All Is Done," "Distinction," "A Prayer")
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: A Poet for All Times
Review: One of America's most prolific poets, Paul Laurence Dunbar wrote at a time when there were few African-Americans being published and praised by many of the literary elite. This volume contains the poets's most respected works. Dunbar wrote in a variety of styles, but is most remembered for the use of "slave dialect" to express the humor, the pathos, and hardships of the condition of the black man in America. Highlights include "When Malindy Sings," an entertaining opus to a "sistah" with "nat'chel" singing "o'gans," "An Ante-Bellum sermon," which features a subtle commentary on slavery, and "The Colored Soldiers," a haunting piece that delves into the inequalities of servitude in the United States armed forces. The words, though a century old are just as timeless today as they were when they were originally written. For me To cite just three in this work of so many excellent verses is a gross understatement. All the "treasures" here should be read and re-read to fully appreciate the gifted mind of this literary master.
Review Summary: For Singing Caged Birds (of any color)......
Review: Gifted but impeded by societal racial prejudice, yet clinging to a future hope -- this is what enters into the dual voice of Paul Laurence Dunbar, a most underesteemed poet and "America's first professional black literary man." In this largest collection of Dunbar poetry (60 more poems than the "complete" collection), the editor first recounts Dunbar's bio: born to former slaves, raised by his mother, once desired to study law at Harvard, but resigned to menial jobs before being hired by the elderly Frederick Douglass, marrying, being misapprehended by critics, separating, contracting tuberculosis, turning to the bottle and dying in 1906 at age 33. Then Braxton's 28-page intro, despite a quick acknowledgment that Dunbar's poetry "transcends race and locality," dwells on Dunbar as African-American poet whose verse needs to be reclaimed. Yet Dunbar was so much more than a black writer and a misunderstood poet who endured struggles; he was a believer in Jesus Christ who therefore looked forward with optimism, and shared a universal message inspirational for Christians of any color. The editor focuses instead on Dunbar's race-related controversy that centers on the question of black voice. Dunbar wrote plantation dialect poems as well as traditional, standard English verse, and received catch-22 criticism for both, being accused of perpetuating stereotypes or accomadationism or ignoring black folk traditions. Personally, I just have a hard time reading dialect writing and am more interested in his other poems, which are beautiful in their understatement, faith, angst, hope, and irony. For example, Dunbar's "Sympathy," starts off seemingly chipper, but it's not what it first seems, and takes us thru pain, yet not leaving us there, turns upward and in characteristic Dunbar manner ultimately emotes a melancholy hope:
"I know what the caged bird feels, alas!
When the sun is bright on the upland slopes..."
...
"I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,--
When he beats his bars and he would be free;..."
...
"It is not a carol of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core,...
...
I know why the caged bird sings!"
What Christian of any color can't appreciate that message? (Other personal favorites--"Slow Through The Dark," "Resignation," "When All Is Done," "Distinction," "A Prayer")
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: A Poet for All Times
Review: One of America's most prolific poets, Paul Laurence Dunbar wrote at a time when there were few African-Americans being published and praised by many of the literary elite. This volume contains the poets's most respected works. Dunbar wrote in a variety of styles, but is most remembered for the use of "slave dialect" to express the humor, the pathos, and hardships of the condition of the black man in America. Highlights include "When Malindy Sings," an entertaining opus to a "sistah" with "nat'chel" singing "o'gans," "An Ante-Bellum sermon," which features a subtle commentary on slavery, and "The Colored Soldiers," a haunting piece that delves into the inequalities of servitude in the United States armed forces. The words, though a century old are just as timeless today as they were when they were originally written. For me To cite just three in this work of so many excellent verses is a gross understatement. All the "treasures" here should be read and re-read to fully appreciate the gifted mind of this literary master.
The nation and the world should be grateful to these important social commentaries of verse by one Paul Laurence Dunbar. I know that I, as an American, am enternally appreciative.