I thought that this poem was very powerful. As a black man in the 1800's, I think that it was very important for James Whitfield to write poems like this, inspiring people to live a good life even when there are hard situations they may be going though. I think that it is a good message to African Americans, especially coming from one of their own, that you can have a good life even though there are evil people out there looking to bring you down.
The poem begins "I love the man whose lofty mind on God and it's own strength relies; Who seeks the welfare of his kind, And dare be honest though he dies; Who cares not for the world's applause, But, to his own fixed purpose true, The path which God and nature's laws Point out, doth earnestly pursue." (Whitfield) I think that this passage is amazing and a great way to set the tone for the rest of the poem. Although the price for honestly is not usually death these days, I try to live my life in this way every single day, I try my very hardest to live by my own truth, and stick to my guns when it comes to what I believe in. I may not always be right, and when I'm not I am willing to change my mind, but there are certain core beliefs that I will take to my grave, and I think it is important for everyone to have a certain code they live by.
Whitfield then goes on to write many metaphors for when people or life in general is bringing you down, and it seems like nothing can go right. He writes: "When clothed in more than midnight gloom, Like some foul specter from the tomb, Despair, with stern and fell control, Sits brooding o'er his inmost soul--"Tis then the faithful mind is proved, That, true alike to man and god, By all the ills of life unmoved, Pursues its straight and narrow road." (Whitfield)
I think the message of this poem is not unlike the idea of Growth Mindset, in that sometimes you have to go through hard times or difficult obstacles in order to grow stronger, and prove to yourself that you can overcome. Life is not easy, for anyone, rich or poor it doesn't matter, everyone has their problems and it is how we persevere and get past these problems that show us who we really are inside.
I was recently watching a Netflix series Godless, in which the antagonist said to a pair of men who did not attempt to risk their own lives to protect their wives and children from his wrath "Why didn't you fight? A man who lays down like a lamb stays down." And I think this line sums up the idea behind this poem, the attitude that an African American man needed to have a good life in the 1800's, and an attitude that every person needs to live a fulfilling life. Once you start not standing up for what you believe in and letting people (or life) walk all over you, you will stay down and never be able to prosper.
I enjoyed this poem a lot and the message it conveyed, I think it was very powerful for an African American to be writing this kind of stuff when his people needed it most, and I also think that it is a message that others can learn from as well.
Hello Anthony, Your notes here on James Monroe Whitfield are right great. You identified and captured what the author was saying in this poem. I appreciate the way you gave your own interpretation of James Whitfield's life. The metaphors you speak of is nice, but Whitfield's words were simple. So simple here in the poem that a child could understand. I feel you did understand what the author was trying to say. I love how you were able to capture that James Monroe Whitfield was a Christian who believed in God. It was most likely his faith that got him through all his trials and tribulations. I would be interested in seeing the Netflix series that you mentioned here named Godless. Your description sounds like something that is a movie that people need to see to stay informed. That is stay informed on the good or the bad. Thank you for sharing your vision of this poem.
ReplyDeleteHi Anthony,
ReplyDeleteI really like how you assessed Whitfield’s poem, you did a great job on capturing the essence of his poem and the moral behind it. Always keep fighting, or trying, even through struggle. It’s a great message that everyone can learn from. That you connected the idea from the poem to live, Growth Mindset, and a series you watched recently is awesome.
Best,
Corine