Analysis of ‘Dreaming Black Boy’

Vocabulary and literary device analysis of the poem 'Dreaming Black Boy' by Mrs. A. Mullings-Buchanan.

Persona / Voice

A black school boy in a racially prejudiced community whose thoughts reveal alienation, insecurities, ambitions, regrets, and fears.

Structure

A free verse poem written in five stanzas focusing on school, ambition, pride, hostility, and defeat.

Themes

Dreams and Aspirations, Punishment, Resentment, Boundaries, Racism/Discrimination, and The Education System.

“I wish”

Repetition used to highlight the several goals the persona hopes to achieve.

“big, big”

Repetition in line 29 used to emphasize how greatly the persona could suffer.

“My inside eye a sun”

A metaphor in line 19 expressing the wish for others to appreciate the boy's understanding and see his worth.

“plotters in pyjamas would pray”

An alliteration expressing the wish that people would not go to bed orchestrating evil plans for others.

Plotters

An allusion to people who carefully orchestrate evil plans for others.

Hotelkeepers

An allusion to persons who could potentially disappoint the persona's leisure trips by refusing entry based on race.

Torch throwers

An allusion to the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), an American white supremacist hate group.

Paul Robeson

An American bass baritone concert artiste and actor famous for cultural accomplishments and political activism.

Sun (Symbolism)

In line 20, this is symbolic of one’s full potential.

Night (Symbolism)

In line 22, this is symbolic of darkness and evil.

Enjambment

The lack of end punctuation that allows ideas to continue beyond the limitations of a single line, reinforcing lines and making the rhythm faster.

‘Dreaming Black Boy’ (Title Diction)

Suggests the boy is coloured and is day-dreaming about future dreams that remain unfulfilled.

‘Criss-cross way of the globe’

Indicates travelling to any country; may also refer to lines of latitude and longitude.

‘To the best of tune up’

British school boy slang comparing a really good education to the expert adjusting of a car engine.

‘I wish if life wouldn’t spend me out’

A wish that life in a prejudiced society would not exhaust the persona.

‘Inside eye’

A phrase referring to the persona’s understanding of things.

‘Sink to lick boots’

A phrase meaning to deliberately try to impress others, similar to the Jamaican colloquial expression “kiss ass”.

‘Behind bravados’

A phrase referring to a façade.

Mood/Atmosphere

The emotional qualities ranging from yearning and contemplation to acceptance.

Tone

The speaker's attitude, which is characterized as hopeful and wishful.

Point of View

First person point of view from the perspective of a young black man.