Making Connections

1. These two poems about Frederick Douglass were written more than four decades apart, obviously during very different political eras. What qualities of Douglass do both Paul Laurence Dunbar and Hayden stress? How do the differences in the characteristics each poet emphasizes reflect the poet’s historical context?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Making Connections: - These two poems about Frederick Douglass were written more than four decades apart, obviously during very different political eras. What qualities of Douglass do both Paul Laurence Dunbar and Hayden stress? How do the differences in the characteristics each poet emphasizes reflect the poet’s historical context?
2. How would you describe each of these poems? Are they a tribute to Douglass? A meditation on Douglass? A lamentation of his passing? A personal remembrance? A celebration of his influence? A memorial to his greatness? An adulatory praise song? Cite specific passages to support your response, including consideration of the different titles.

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Making Connections: - How would you describe each of these poems? Are they a tribute to Douglass? A meditation on Douglass? A lamentation of his passing? A personal remembrance? A celebration of his influence? A memorial to his greatness? An adulatory praise song? Cite specific passages to support your response, including consideration of the different titles.
3. Both Dunbar and Hayden chose to use the sonnet form for these poems, though in very different ways. How does each poet’s approach to this conventional structure contribute to the tone of his poem?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Making Connections: - Both Dunbar and Hayden chose to use the sonnet form for these poems, though in very different ways. How does each poet’s approach to this conventional structure contribute to the tone of his poem?
4. Dunbar calls on Douglass for guidance during “a tempest of dispraise” (l. 8). Hayden asserts that “this man / shall be remembered” (ll. 10–11). To what extent do you think Hayden’s assertion suggests that the memory of Douglass, so strong and unquestionable to Dunbar, is in jeopardy? Base your response on these poems as well as on your knowledge of the political time periods.

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Making Connections: - Dunbar calls on Douglass for guidance during “a tempest of dispraise” (l. 8). Hayden asserts that “this man / shall be remembered” (ll. 10–11). To what extent do you think Hayden’s assertion suggests that the memory of Douglass, so strong and unquestionable to Dunbar, is in jeopardy? Base your response on these poems as well as on your knowledge of the political time periods.