Million Man March
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Maya Angelou
Introduction
Maya Angelou was an American poet, singer, memoirist and
civil rights activist. She has written seven autobiographies, books of essays
poetry and plays. In her poetry she uses wit, sarcasm, imagery and diverse rhythm.
Historical background
The Million Man March was a large gathering of
African-American men in Washington D.C. on October 16, 1995. It was held on and
around the National Mall. The African-American men from across the United
States converged in Washington to convey to the world a vastly different
picture of the Black male and to unite in self-help and self-defense against
economic and social ills plaguing the African-American community.
Synopsis
In this poem, the poet seems to address the men on the march.
She uses varied imagery to narrate how a million men had come out to
demonstrate their solidarity against the government for its ill-treatment of
the dark-skinned community in the nation. The people were united against the
black oppression and they were pressing for their equal rights.
The very first line “The night has been long,” is symbolic
of the unending sufferings that the people have undergone. When she uses the
phrase, “I say” the tone is commanding which shows strength and leadership. She
reminds them that they have had enough from the oppressors.
The poem is written in hope to put an end to the
discrimination against black people and for black people to receive the same
rights as the white people. It opens reflecting on injustice and slavery of
black people. Maya seems to be composed and cheering in her tone throughout the
poem whereas she sounds spiritual and philosophical towards the end. There is
hope for renewal and bonding of the black people.
Stanza- wise explanation
1.
This stanza opens with strong metaphors of
night, wound, pit and walls which stand respectively for ignorance, suffering,
darkness and confinement. It sets up the tone to remind the black how they were
subjected to long suffering and their time now to revolt for a change.
2.
The second stanza refers to the exploitation the
speaker underwent. When she needed help the most there was no one to help her.
She sarcastically says that those who could help were tied up. She wonders how
without committing sins the blacks have worn badge of shame throughout the
history of time.
3.
The refrain with “I say,” stress emphasizes the
need to come out of their long suffering and assert their rights to equality.
4.
This stanza speaks about the voices that are
heard from the past and across the world in unity that seem to congregate here
to save their race from exploitation and discrimination.
5.
In this
stanza, the speaker says that they have now gathered in a different place. It
is their slavery which has made them fight for their freedom.
6.
The refrain “The night has been…” stresses on
the need to break free and claim their rights to equality.
7.
This stanza states that their life led so far in
humiliation and abysmal poverty has taught them to live in hard situations.
8.
She continues to say that with each one’
presence, their enormous strength is growing even bigger. She sees everyone
united as a family.
9.
The poet in this stanza cheers up the crowd to
stand together in high spirits. She calls out to the people to infuse joy into
their conversation; courtesy into bedroom; gentleness into their kitchen; and
care into their nursery.
10.
The ending of the poem is more spiritual that
the people who were subject to centuries of discrimination and brutality in
slavery will now rise to their emancipation.
Comprehension Questions
1.
What is the poet trying to say in the poem “Million
Man March”?
Ans: The poet says that the Million Man March for the African
Americans is historic because this gives them voice to fight for their rights.
This march declares that their dark days are over and there is a new awakening
for them.
2.
What do the last three lines of the “Million Man
March” remind you of?
Ans: The last three lines speak about the determination of the
suppressed people to revolt against the long history of pain and their
commitment to bring about a change in the order. There is hope and there is optimism.
3.
What is the poet talking about in the verse ‘the
hells we have lived through and live through still’? What is the figure of
speech used here?
Ans: The lines refer to the discrimination, exploitation and
torture suffered by the African Americans from the Whites. ‘The hells’ is a
metaphor for their sufferings.
4.
Discuss the imagery used in the poem.
Ans: Maya Angelou’s
“Million Man March” is a powerful poem packed with rich imagery throughout the
poem. The poem begins with striking imagery such as night, wound, pit and the
walls preparing us for a poignant yet enlightening theme. A series of imagery
follow through: ‘a dead blue sky on a distant beach’ shows the haplessness, ‘a
badge of shame’ shows that exploited people have only shame to display. ‘Across
the seas and oceans’ suggest the vastness of united voice against the pain and
suffering. ‘Slavery’s chains’ imagery refers to the brutal experience of living
an inhuman life. ‘The hells we have lived’ shows the intolerable pains and
compassion for the fellow Blacks in ‘Love for family in your big brown eyes,’ ‘I
say, clap hands’ evokes a new spirit to stay together and fight together. This section
of the poem is full of energy and motivation. ‘Joy into our conversation; ‘courtesy
into our bedrooms; gentleness into our kitchen; and ‘care into our nursery,’
create imageries that press for transformation. Thus the poet has a strong
array of imagery that effectively carries out the intended message.
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