Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Black Hair" is a poem by Gary Soto, an American poet, memoirist, and novelist. The poem was published in 1985 and is part of his collection "Black Hair". The poem deals with the theme of identity and the speaker's struggle to define himself through his hair.

Explanation:

The poem is about the speaker's relationship with his hair, and how it influences his sense of identity. The speaker's hair is black, which is associated with his Mexican heritage. Throughout the poem, the speaker struggles to reconcile his Mexican identity with his American identity, and his hair becomes a symbol of this struggle.

The poem begins with the speaker describing his hair, "My crow-black hair" and the various ways he has styled it, from slicking it back to wearing it in a ponytail. The speaker then reflects on his identity and how his hair plays a role in how others perceive him, "but I say I'm half-and-half / and they never know what to make of me."

The poem also touches on the idea of conformity and how it relates to hair. The speaker mentions how his cousin, who also has black hair, straightens it to conform to American beauty standards. However, the speaker refuses to conform and instead embraces his natural hair, "I let my hair go wild, / where it wants to go."

Poetic Elements:

• Structure: The poem is composed of four stanzas with varying line lengths. The first and third stanzas have seven lines, while the second and fourth stanzas have eight lines. The irregular structure reflects the speaker's struggle to find a fixed sense of identity.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is introspective and contemplative. The speaker is reflecting on his identity and his relationship with his hair.
• Imagery: The poem contains vivid imagery, such as "my crow-black hair," which is a powerful symbol of the speaker's Mexican heritage. The use of the color black also represents the struggle between the speaker's Mexican and American identities.
• Rhyme Scheme: The poem does not follow a strict rhyme scheme, but there are some instances of internal rhyme, such as "smoothing it back" and "ponytail."

Conclusion:

"Black Hair" is a poem that explores the complexities of identity and the role hair can play in shaping one's sense of self. The irregular structure and use of vivid imagery and internal rhyme add to the poem's introspective and contemplative tone. Soto uses the speaker's hair as a symbol of the speaker's Mexican heritage and the struggle to reconcile it with his American identity. The poem ultimately celebrates the speaker's refusal to conform to American beauty standards and his embrace of his natural hair, which is a powerful statement of self-acceptance and pride in one's heritage.

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