Dunbar Emancipation

Use this graphic organizer to analyze the Paul Laurene Dunbar’s poem Emancipation. Before reading the poem, make a prediction about what the poem is about based on the title. T itle The title makes me think this poem will talk about freedom and the end of slavery. Translate the poem line by line into your own words. Look for complete thoughts and look up unfamiliar words. P araphrase The speaker tells people to lift their voices and be happy because the day of freedom is finally here. He reminds the reader that people suffered and died to break free from slavery. Now that freedom is gained, he wants people to live with pride and courage. He says they should work hard, make good choices, and show the world that they deserve this new life. What words or phrases stick out to you and evoke an emotional response? Look for patterns and figurative language, imagery, and sound elements. C onn otation The poem uses pictures of music, banners, and celebration to show joy. It also mentions blood and pain to remind us of the cost of freedom. Liberty is shown like something alive that sits on their shoulders. This helps show that freedom is special and must be respected. Notice the speaker’s attitude toward the subject of the poem. This is the author’s tone. A ttitude/Tone The tone is proud, hopeful, and serious. Dunbar celebrates freedom but also wants people to take it seriously. As you look for patterns, also look for contrasts or shifts/changes in poem. Look for changes in language, attitude, setting/imagery, mood, punctuation, other literary devices. S Shifts The poem starts by asking people to celebrate and sing for freedom. Then it changes to a warning that people should remember the hard times and live with honor. At the end it becomes a message to move forward and build a better future. What is the poem actually about T Having read the poem, now suggest a deeper meaning about its title. itle After reading the poem, the title means more. It is not just about being free but about using freedom to live with strength and purpose. Examine the underlying meaning to the poem. What does the work address that has wider implications than the literal meaning of the work? T The theme is that real freedom means responsibility. People should remember the past and heme show by their actions that they are worthy of being free. Directions: Below, using your TP-CASTT graphic organizer, in paragraph form, write a summary of the poem.