Examples Of Tymorphism In African American Culture

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Being brought up in second-rate areas of a city often influence young African-Americans. Growing up in a suffering city has a negative impact on blacks, frequently leading them to live a life filled with money, drugs, girls, and a great deal of violence. African-Americans behaved inappropriately when conglomerating in gangs. This poor behavior has resulted in the use of zoomorphism to describe their actions. Zoomorphism is a literary device in which animalistic features and characteristics are ascribed to humans. Alongside the zoomorphism in these tracks, the way the audience perceives the lyrics plays a large role in the songs. Connotation refers to the meaning that is generally implied by a word apart from its explicit definition. How an …show more content…

/ And the white man sitin’ there tickled pink” (1-2). These lines demonstrate the formation of gangs in the area, including their control of territory and ability to protect themselves from others. This is an example of zoomorphism because it parallels “animal instinct” with gang violence and killing. Violence in gangs is synonymous to the rampage and clashing you see within the animal world. Contextually, the “white man” implies Caucasians that are pleased to watch black-on-black violence take place. This exemplifies the idea of whites having a power position, over blacks. The connotation of “tickled pink” may differ based on the individual. The white male being tickled pink may indicate a sense of entertainment or amusement while watching the African-Americans brawl. However, the reader may have understood zoomorphism as the blacks were animals at a zoo, and the white male was an observer of the animal’s altercation. This could leave the white male blushing due to adrenaline being released and heart rate increasing. This is just one example of how Ice Cube used zoomorphism and the connotation can affect the …show more content…

A “jungle” is a wild land often with flora, fauna, and animals living within. In this context, the Bronx may be considered to be a “jungle” because of the primitive and uncivilized nature associated with the gangs residing there. This is using zoomorphism by pointing out the animalistic qualities associated with gang violence. The recklessness entails an “every man for himself” type of lifestyle, seen frequently in the animal hierarchy. In such a culture, it may be difficult for individuals to carry on their lives. “Going under” can be connoted in different ways. First, it could imply the apartment in the Bronx, and how they are often occupied by low-class citizens. Also, “going under” could entail an individual in a bad situation giving up. This could be due to all of the stresses associated with black lives, and the violence ultimately defeating an

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