Bump d´bump Flashcards
Society
Angelou alludes to the bigger scope of universal problems. Such as…
drug addiction, poverty, and social discrimination
3 Big ideas:
- Angelou encourages us to be resilient and defiant in the face of marginalisation and belittlement
- Anger and frustration with the inevitable obstacles
- Hardships are a vital part for moral development
“Play me a game like Blind Man´s dance”
The central imagery of this metaphor is of the game, “Blind man´s dance”
“Blind man´s dance”
Is a traditional game that involves wearing a blindfold and being spun around. Consequently, you end up bumping into your surroundings due to your disorientation.
Deeper implication of “Blind man´s dance”
As this is a child´s game, Angelou could be expressing her concerns towards racism faced by young children.
Contextually, this links to Angelou´s works as an activist, and her previous childhood experiences of discrimination.
Poem: “Willie”
Alternatively, the D.I. of “Blind man´s dance” could portray….
the similarities adults have with children; we are all learning daily and facing new challenges in our lives.
“Bump d´bump bump bump d´bump”
The refrain, composed of the title, appears at the end of each stanza.
Metaphorically, the line establishes the central theme of the poem:
THAT RESTRICTIONS AND ADVERSITIES FACED IN OUR EVERY DAY LIFE, POSE AS CHALLENGES AS WE ATTEMPT TO NAVIGATE THROUGH LIFE
The onomatopoeic refrain, with is plosive alliteration of “b´s” serve to reinforce…
The painful knocks that life brings
“Play me” and “Blind my” are…
Imperative verbs that give the impression that other people are mocking the speaker. Or, that the speaker is inviting them in doing so.
This suggests that she is somewhat helpless as they toy with her.
“Blind my eyes with ignorance” (DEEPER IMPLICATION)
Angelou subverts social conventions by suggesting that navigating life with closed eyes might offer an easier path, devoid of discrimination and feelings of belittlement as a result from it.
“Ignorance”
The noun conveys the coping mechanism the black community has in avoiding hurtful comments. They try to dismiss racism.
“I´ll play possum and close my eyes”
The metaphor is a poignant exploration of African American´s emotional escapism and self-protection to unjust actions and hurtful comments.
The childlike attributes are further developed in the phrase,
“I´ll play like possum”. Linking to themes of innocence and vulnerability
The phrase, “…close my eyes”, highlights the black communities…
refusal in acknowledging certain truths and their desire to shut away unpleasant experiences.
They wish to fit into society and rid themselves of overwhelming sensations.
“Tell my life with a liquor sign”
The metaphor symbolises poverty and the associations society makes with alcohol and liquor being a major part of the lives of African Americans
The imperative verb, “Tell me”, comes across as…
passionate, with hints of frustration. Underlying this rage, however, there´s sadness as the speaker knows that no matter what she does, they will still manage to associate her life with liquor.
“Liquor sign”
The purpose of having a sign is to socially advertise a topic. In this case, the advertisement is to degrade the courage and dignity of African Americans, inflicting guilt and shame upon them.
This highlights the malice and hostility white people have against the black community.
Universal message of “Liquor sign”
Angelou urges society, (white people), to refrain form imposing derogatory assumptions upon black people. She emphasises the need to reject those traditions and views that inflicted harm upon African Americans.
“Junkie reel in two / four time”
Symbolises substance abuse
“Junkie reel”
Links to the poem “Junkie Monkey reel”, and highlights the struggles that may derive from addiction
“Two / Four time”
Adds a musical quality to the poem. Which may allude to the rapid intake of the drugs and the repetition in intaking them
“Call me a name from an ugly south”
Speaker challenges other to “Call [her] a name from an ugly south” as a way to prove her strength and resilience, and how she won´t be affected by these hurtful comments.
Which, if they do, she is sort of warning them of the consequences.
“ugly south”
(+ context)
Highlights the racial prejudice that belonged in the south
Context: Arkansas and its historically deep racist culture
The adjective “ugly”, holds…
negative connotations
“Like liver lips and satchel mouth”
Angelou highlights the racial slurs and derogatory terms most African Americans have to face
“Liver lips” and “Satchel mouth” are references to…
(+ link to another line in the poem and D.I)
common insults that are used to degrade the physical features of the black community.
This suggests that the speaker doesn´t shy away from racial discrimination, but acknowledges it.
-> She is partially “immune” to these slurs as she has heard them throughout the whole course of her life.
This contrasts the line, “Blind my eyes with ignorance”, which expresses the speaker´s desire to overlook racism.
DEEPER IMPLICATION:
Illustrates the different ways African Americans cope with reality.
“To your greater sins and my lesser lies”
The metaphor is about accepting and acknowledging one´s faults
“your” and “my”
This is the first and only time Angelou address another being in her poem. This is rather emphatic and through an accusatory tone, readers may wonder whether Angelou is uniting the severity of the speaker´s flaws to society´s (?)
Soft sibilance in “To your greater sins and my lesser lies”
Portrays hushed voices. May show how no one wants to admit their wrong doings.
“greater sins”
The phrase refers to the suffering inflicted upon the black community
“Lesser lies”
The speaker colludes with society´s racist views as she is staying silent. This optional action may highlight the speaker´s desires in remaining out of society´s sight to prevent being targeted
“…nation´s prize”
May symbolise the rewards society gives out to those people whom fit in and are compliant to their views. Thus Angelou portrays why the speaker wishes to fit in this notion of obedience and get a metaphorical prize of better treatment. This may potentially link to the American dream and its necessity to have people who follow this societal structure in order for it to exist.
“I may be lost in the welfare line”
Imagery
“I” from “I may be lost in the welfare line”
Angelou shifts stylistically -> No longer an imperative verb. This suggests that she has more agency
“may”
Modal auxiliary verb
The noun, “Lost”…
suggests that African Americans are overlooked by white people - they are inferior
“Welfare line” links to the poem…
“momma welfare role” which adopts a same tone of resilience, defiance in the face of adversities.
It also depicts the experience of a disadvantaged black woman and her fight to survive an oppressive system that does not favour her.
“Below the rim where the sun don´t shine”
The imagery in this metaphor highlights the advantage white people have over African Americans
The noun, “rim” alludes to…
a toilet. This vivid imagery of a white person sitting on a black person is not only jarring but a symbol towards the inhumane experiences African Americans have faced
“sun don´t shine”
Unpleasant experience - lack of hope or optimism. However, this idea if juxtaposed as the speaker says, “getting up stays on my mind”, which may highlight how she is not discouraged by this maltreatment.
“Getting up stays on my mind”
Stoical acceptance of suffering
“Getting up”
Highlights the determination the speaker has in attaining liberation…Acknowledges the struggle and required effort
“Stays”
The verb conveys the speaker´s drive and her unwavering persistence.
“on my mind”
portrays the speaker´s agency. Also suggests that although society may have dominance over her habitual lifestyle, she has authority in her thoughts and beliefs.
Enjambment
Continuous cycle of pain and suffering
Rhyme
Changes every stanza (AAB, CCCB, DDB…)
Childlike quality due to the musical tone, similar to “two / four time”. May suggest that oppression is faced by all generations.
Following a tercet…
You have a quatrain which is emphatic
