“we Real Cool” : Gwendolyn Brooks

Question 1

Poetic forms:

Answer 1

1. Persona : 1st person perspective
2. • Dramatic monologue : uninterrupted narrative
3. Elegy: reflects on death : Honors

Question 2

What is the poet’s message?

Answer 2

The poet explores troubled teenagers’ continuance of their reckless lifestyle : suffer consequences
*if you look for trouble; you will find it

Question 3

The poet’s intent:
(Why wrote?)

Answer 3

Reflects what boys think of own lives : sense of hopelessness (product of circumstance)
- sympathises and relates
- youth exposed to hard lifestyle and choices

Question 4

Themes:

Answer 4

1. Society excludes certain people (alienation)
2. Death & Disparities (lifestyles)

Question 5

Tone:

Answer 5

1. (Not harsh and judgemental)
2. Poet curious of boys thoughts (&mindset)
3. Thoughtful & sympathetic

Question 6

Diction:

Answer 6

Reads like lyrics of jazz tune.
(Relaxed atmosphere)
Black lingo of 1950’s : breaking rules of “proper English” : SILENT ACTIVE RESISTANCE

Question 7

Structure:

Answer 7

• subtitle
• 4 couplets
• internal rhyme (emphasis on middle words)
• period (.) = pause
• each word only 1 syllable : convey simple message

Question 8

What type of poetic form in present in the poem?

Answer 8

Persona poem

Question 9

Subtitle analysis:

THE POOL PLAYERS
SEVEN AT THE HOTEL SHOVEL

Answer 9

Context: Pool hall in South side of Chicago

“Seven” : 7th day of rest after creation (boys don’t complete work)
: lucky?
OXYMORON: name of hall // ‘seven’ boys (aimless & nameless lives)

“Shovel” : foreshadows deaths

Question 10

We real cool. We
Left school. We

Answer 10

Happy go-lucky life
(Think it’s cool to not care)
- dropped out of school

Question 11

Enjambement:

Answer 11

Reflects uncontrolled recklessness of boys.

Question 12

Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We

Answer 12

“L” alliteration
“S” sibilance

• out late on the streets: involved in petty crimes & fights

Question 13

Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We

Answer 13

ASSONANCE

Curse often (wild life): different upbringing
Drink & abuse alcohol

Question 14

Jazz June. We
Die soon

Answer 14

Rebel against June
June: political society and authority figures (oppressors?)

Rather: listen to music and mock rules
Reckless lifestyle shortens life : ** lost purpose

Question 15

“We” repetition:
ANAPHORA

Answer 15

No sense of self/ individuality
(Grouped as 7 : shared experience : worthiness?

Question 16

Syncopation:

Answer 16

A deviation from a regular expected rhythmic pattern used : stress in weaker beats/ no strong beats

Question 17

Rewrite the title in standard English:

Answer 17

“We are really cool”

Question 18

What does the title say about what the pool players want to project?

Answer 18

Confidence, rebellion, self assured

Deem themselves: COOL : rejecting societal norms
- living carefree and unconventionally
- desire to be seen as bold and independent (destructive)

Question 19

How is Syncopation used?

Answer 19

Use of: short, sharp lines and “we” at line ends

Jarring off beat: mimics speech and urgent declarations
-underscores fragmented lives and tension : cool // consequences

Question 20

Why is “We” repeated?

Answer 20

• collective identity of pool players : unity & shared experiences
• defiance and determination to live on own terms (destructive)

Question 21

Meaning : “WE STRIKE STRAIGHT

Answer 21

Irony: don’t live “straight” in a moral sense (live on the run/ on edge)

Literal: skill in playing pool : accurate shots

Figurative: direct uncompromising life

“Strike” — violence / aggression

Question 22

Why used persona?

Answer 22

Gives voice to pool players
- insight into mindset & allure of lifestyle
- authenticity & credibility to poem
- motivation: YOUTH BRAVADO: (live fast, die young)