In seedling Dunbar uses a struggling seedling trying to become a beautiful flower as a metaphor of blacks struggling for equality. The seedling in his poem first sets up a mind set that even if I?m not the best I?m going to be the best I can. After setting a goal the seedling tries to achieve it, it first looks around and surveys it?s situation. Then it calls on its brother Stem to help out. Soon after two leaves are formed on Stem. Then after that it kept growing and became a plant. After becoming a plant it gathered rain and sunshine, and blossomed into a beautiful flower. Then its work is done and its goal is accomplished.
Dunbar used a flower to show his people?s struggles to fight racism and to gain equality. He showed that first you need to set a goal. Then in order to obtain that goal you will need help from others. No matter how smart you are you will need help from friends. After your friends helped you, you need to keep going and work towards your goal. But most importantly even if you are white and reading his poems he wants you to know always strive for the best you can do and be. Even if you odds are against you (like they were against Blacks) you do the best you can. Not one-person alone can change the world. But if everyone does his or her best to change it then that will make a significant impact on the world.
Dunbar?s writings were directed to everyone (both Blacks and Whites) that?s why they have a broad moral to them. But unlike many writers that whine about injustices he tells people to get past them try to change them. Even Whites had injustices in his time period so his poems and stories helped them too get some motivation to strive for a change. His lessons in life that he taught through his writings are the main reason why he was one of the first African American poets ever recognized at the national level and by every race.
Dunbar is a lesser-known poet compared to many other blacks. His work though did contribute a lot to the culture of African American literature. Because he was the first recognized black poet he broke the barrier for many after him. Dunbar?s work was so thought provoking and insightful that all races were drawn to and compelled to read. If his work wasn?t so great he wouldn?t have been the first and he wouldn?t opened the gates for all the others. During his time he was respected and revered but now almost no one even knows who he is. He really is forgotten by most people today. Even though his wok is still great.
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