Gwendolyn Brooks "We Real Cool" Analysis

[@tomlabooks3263]

WOW. Seriously, thank you for sharing that recording of Brooks reading her poem. It takes a completely different energy. It basically IS like listening to jazz. Some years ago I bought (and then gifted) a gorgeous book called “THE 100 BEST AFRICAN AMERICAN POEMS”, where some of Brooks’s poems are featured as well, and that’s where I first heard her name. Keep rocking, P.!

[@attention5638]

I completely agree! It does have a kind of "Jazz" feel to the reading. I was going to read it myself, but I could not do it justice, so I am glad I found it. Though this is her most popular poem, she has a lot more I feel are better, but that could be because i have read/heard this one analyzed to death haha. Thank you for checking it out! Glad you liked it!😊

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

This was very interesting. I loved Brooks attitude towards the word jazz being understood differently to her initial intent

[@attention5638]

Yeah, I thought that was really interesting how she didn't object to it, either. Which is why I went off on setting here, and how the reader will interpret words depending on their background. Thank you so much for checking this out! 😊

[@authoremileeharris1645]

I would love to be able to contemplate and analyze written work to the extent you do, it's so fascinating! I always come up against the thought, though, of when is all the analysis just overdoing it? You know, like the saying, sometimes "blue" is just "blue". Still, it's a great skill, and I think especially relevant to poetry since the nature of poems forces the author to try and expand on a theme using the most minimal expression possible. Thank you for sharing!

[@attention5638]

I totally agree, it is more often the case just "blue" than English professors would like to admit haha. But with poetry, it is so interpretive, it can just be fun to play around with. That is why I didn't cut the part of Brooks saying she didn't object to the interpretation of the word 'Jazz," though it wasn't her intentions. Usually, with novels, I will give an analysis that is very subjective and mention what lens I am examining it before I start the analysis, as a way to say, "this is my interpretation under this particular view." 😊😊

[@JesstheBookFreak]

Another great lecture! This was very informational. I wouldn't think the word "jazz" could cause her poem to be banned. The past was weird.

[@attention5638]

That past was very weird, I agree. And now will be weird in the future--and the future is weird now. Living is just weird all the time haha. Thank you for checking this out ! 😊😊

[@astarreads4214]

This was incredible...SO loved the clip of Brooks reading her poem...her cadence and attitude was just wonderful. Great analysis...I vote more poetry! I am not a great poetry reader, however I really like hearing different perspectives on poems. Some of my favorite sections of literary discussion in college were when we discussed poetry.

[@attention5638]

I will fit more poetry in, for sure! I really like analyzing poetry as a fun hobby, but never really thought about making videos on them until this one. I am glad you liked it 😊😊

[@astarreads4214]

@@attention5638 Definitely a fan...keep em coming :)

[@HeyYallListenUp]

Analyzing literature, especially poetry - one of the reasons I became an engineer. That said, this video was fun to watch. I enjoyed listening to Brooks read her own poem.

[@attention5638]

HAHAHA oh boy, fair enough. I wanted to be an engineer, but upon realizing a class is neither half full, or half empty, but only twice as big as it needs to be, I decided poetry was the better option haha as always, thanks for checking it out, John.😊😊

[@LadyJaneBooks]

This was awesome! Great mix of history and analysis! 👍

[@attention5638]

Thank you so much! I wasn't sure how much history to get into, but tried to balance it alright 😊

[@LadyJaneBooks]

@@attention5638 great job! 👍

[@mrh4891]

..I'd almost forgotten Gwendolyn and this poem (I think we read it in high school English Lit.).. thx for posting! :-)

[@attention5638]

I had forgotten about it until I started going through my notes from university. It is a good one, for sure!

[@paperbackmo]

Hadn't heard of Gwendolyn Brooks before today - thanks. She's badass.

[@attention5638]

Yeah, she did a lot in her life. I didn't want to get too much into her history--but there is a lot going on haha

[@Johanna_reads]

This was interesting! I have so little knowledge on poetry. I like that Brooks used her poetic voice to raise awareness about racial injustice and urban life in South Chicago. What a fascinating person!

[@attention5638]

She really was! There is so much here I wanted to get into about her life, but I would have never gotten to the actual analysis haha thank you for checking it out!😊

[@jeremyfee]

I once wrote an essay, for a graduate class, analyzing this poem; I love it. Great video!

[@attention5638]

It seems to be a popular one to write essays on haha. It is a good one, for sure--thanks for checking this out!😊

[@ladylovesteadreads]

I took a course in grad school about blues and jazz in African American lit and learned about how black authors use "call and response" commonly found in black churches in their writing as a way to "talk" to other black writers. Gwendolyn Brooks did some "call and response" with Langston Hughes. Have you read any Hughes?

[@attention5638]

I have heard of that, I am going to look more into it now, thank you! I have read Hughes, and love his poetry!😊

[@SelfWriteousness]

I bet a fair amount of the the authority-havers who disapprove of the conduct of them what have fun will die in just as much obscurity. Perhaps it's just as well to do a pleasurable a the pool hall now and then. I'm with Ms. Brooks: Never considered jazz as an equivalent for sex. I would be inclined to think folks who assume such a thing have either not consumed much jazz or not consumed much sex, 'cause sex tends to be rhythmic / pattern-keeping, whereas jazz is often dissonant / chaotic.

[@attention5638]

Yeah, I would rather play pool as well. It is much less stressful than judging people for having a good time haha And that's a good point. I have always been confused on why jazz had been seen as sexual back then. To quote the poet Jim Morrison, people are strange.

[@AJDunnReads]

I love the bit of the poem reading. It's always best to hear the poet read her work.

[@attention5638]

I completely agree. I am glad I decided to put that in instead of me just giving a reading of it that would have ruined it haha. Thank you for checking this out! =)

[@AJDunnReads]

@@attention5638 I doubt it would have ruined it.

[@spreadbookjoy]

Amazing analysis! Have never heard of this poet or poem before - thank you for sharing it.

[@attention5638]

Oh! I missed this! Thank you so much! She was a really great poet, and had a great way of presenting her work. 😊

[@ScientistsReadingWorld]

I think i gain some poetry aversion due to school XD having to analyze everything in a poem but i really like poetry for the melody it has. your analysis are very very good :D

[@attention5638]

Thank you so much! And yes! The rythm of a poem is very important, which is why I had to put Brooks' reading of it in here. I could not do it myself. 😊

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

Thank you so much for sharing this. Great analysis. Loved the recording too. Who knew that Jazz was considered to be a sexual word? 😊💙

[@attention5638]

Haha right! It does seem a bit aggressive to label the word "jaz" as being sexual 😅

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

@@attention5638 Brings an entire new meaning to Jazz hands. 😂

[@attention5638]

@@BookwormAdventureGirl 😂🤣 Right!

[@mariacarveth130]

This was really great. I had studied it many years ago and had forgotten about it.

[@attention5638]

It is a great poem for sure!😊

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

I am embarrassed that I have never read a Brooks collection, only the odd individual poem. I shall remedy that inspired by this. I spent decades as an adult avoiding poetry. When I returned to reading it a few years ago I found myself with a lot of catching up to do.

[@attention5638]

I have been the exact way up until only a few months ago. I had my four or five poets that I studied, but that was it. There is a lot i have to catch up on as well. Thanks for checking this out!😊😊

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

@@attention5638 The catching up is fun though.

[@attention5638]

@@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711 I fully agree! 😊

[@TheBookclectic]

Good video Pae! But I'm really distracted by your tattoos for some reason. Why have I never noticed your tattoos before?? 🤔

[@attention5638]

I dont know! Hahah I have them on on in every video 🤣🤣

[@TheBookclectic]

@@attention5638 it's a mystery! 🤔😂

[@jimsbooksreadingandstuff]

Striking straight to the heart of the poem.

[@attention5638]

Nice incorporating "strike straight." I like that! 😊

[@PageTurnersWithKatja]

Enjoyed this analysis 💛😊

[@attention5638]

Thank you for checking it out 😊😊😊

[@thefont4345]

The poem is so good. The shape, the sound, the word choice. Absolutely love it. Thanks for talking about it😀❤️ It's a new favourite

[@attention5638]

Oh good! I am glad you like this one😊

[@veryliterarykari8282]

Wow! What a well done Booktube production! So informative, thoughtful, and I loved the inclusion of the original reading and photographs.

[@attention5638]

Thank you! I am glad I found that reading--i could not pull that off with such an effect. 😊

[@JenHeizer]

I love that you are covering some poetry as it relates so much to songwriting. Gwendolyn Brooks is wonderful!

[@attention5638]

Thank you! Her reading of this poem has a rythm to it.😁

[@ArghRawrWhoa]

I love this woman

[@attention5638]

She really was great! Thank you for checking this out.😎

[@GreenerSideOfSam]

Yes yes! Do more poetry analysis! 😁 I feel like poetry is barely talked about in writing, it’s like the weird cousin that no one interacts with at a family reunion 🤣

[@attention5638]

Hahaha that is true, at least on BookTube, I rarely see it.

[@JeffAdamsMusic]

Pae, I'm really glad you covered this. I am a perponderant proponent of poetry! I love everything about this poem. It makes a statement outside of normal perception of the age too. I loved the recorded live reading! Great video! 👊☮💚🙂🎶

[@attention5638]

Thank you, Jeff! I am glad I decided not to read it myself. She has such a rythm I could not replicate. I am glad you enjoyed this! 😊😊

[@josephn364]

Great listen for me, my friend. Well done. Also, loving the multiple videos a week. Looking forward to your next one!

[@attention5638]

Thank you so much! 😊 it has been a lot of work, but I think I am managing thus far! I am really glad you like them--it is definitely the encouragement I need at this time. 😊

[@madbatterbakery4814]

This was such a great analysis of Brooks' "We Real Cool"! And I loved the history and background.The context was very helpful. Your videos are always so educational and entertaining at the same time, but this one is definitely one of my favourites. Thanks.

[@attention5638]

Thank you so much for checking it out!😎

[@TheQuietMidden]

Really interesting and thoughtful. Loved hearing Brooks.

[@attention5638]

Thank you so much! It really is great to hear the poet read their own work!😊

[@thenetizenmasstige]

You're great, man

[@attention5638]

Thank you so much for checking this out! Glad you liked it.😎

[@elizabethwilliamson2181]

Loved to learn about Gwendolyn Brooks. Her style is truly unique. Thank you for introducing me to to this wonderful lady! 😊 ❤️

[@attention5638]

She has a lot of better poems than this one, too. This just so happens to be her most recognized. She us really great, I hope you like what you find 😊😊

[@gloriamitchell3518]

Nice analysis.

[@attention5638]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@donnaplatt3925]

Another spot-on analysis! Great work!Hearing her read her own words is amazing!

[@attention5638]

I agree. I am very glad that I decided not to read the poem myself 🤣

[@RosieCockshutt]

I’ve never heard of Brooks and now I want to do a deep dive into her works! That reading was fantastic - I’d never thought about it, but a sort of videobook, or audio+physical combo would be amazing for poetry.

[@attention5638]

That would be! A book/audio of the author reading their own poetry would be amazing. That needs to be a thing!😊😊