The Song Of The Smoke Poem Analysis

The Song of the Smoke
W.E.B. Dubois was one of the most prolific and pioneering leaders during the early Civil Rights era. Throughout his life, he produced numerous works as a commentary on the social construct that existed between whites and blacks, including the groundbreaking collection of essays The Souls of Black Folk published in 1903. These essays detailed the historical, political and sociological plight of African Americans in society after the Civil War. In addition, the essays introduced the concept of double consciousness which referred to the challenge blacks faced in reconciling an African heritage with an American identity, a theory that would disseminate into his later works. Accordingly, his poem “The Song of the Smoke” published in 1907 is an extension of his earlier work in double consciousness, but with an emphasis on the celebration of black heritage. Embedded in these affirmations of blackness; however, is a sense of longing for the unity and equality of all races. In the poem, “The Song of the Smoke”, DuBois reflects on the past, finding grief and courage in the legacy of his slave ancestry and toward the future, hoping a new strength and dignity is formed amongst all Americans.
In addition, the poem is undoubtedly one of action o follows a unique rhythmic structure, including the repetition of a refrain at the end of each stanza: "I am the Smoke King - I am black". it looks back to the rich tradition of African-American music, including the work songs sung by the slaves in the fields. "The Song of the Smoke" is a poem of action and motion. Things are constantly happening in the poem; almost every important word ends in "ing." Thus, while steeped in history, the poem also conveys a sense of constant moti...

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...rayer. (The frequent use of religious imagery in the poem may be a tacit acknowledgement of the important and influential role African-American preachers and ministers have played in the struggle against discrimination.) The prayer is, first, a call to black people to continue to better themselves through hard work ("Hail! great, gritty, grimy hands") and, second, a plea for pity from the Christian God over the "toiling lands," though whether this means the South, the North, or America as a whole is not indicated—nor does it matter much. For the most important message comes through, Du Bois's passionate plea that, united in a common history, African Americans must be united in a common pride in who they are and in a common determination to take control of their own destiny and change the future. Thus, the poem ends with its three most important words: "I am black."