Paul Laurence Dunbar

Paul Laurence Dunbar was an American poet of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, whose work spans dialect poetry and formal verse. He is known for his lyrical depictions of African American life and his masterful use of both standard English and Black dialect. Biographie ↓Plus ↓

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I like to hear of wealth and gold, And El Doradoes in their glory; I like for silks and satins bold To sweep and rustle through a story. The nightingale is sweet of song; The rare exotic smells divinely; And knightly men who stride along, The role heroic carry finely. But then, upon the other hand, Our minds have got a way of running To things that aren't quite so grand, Which, maybe, we are best in shunning. For some of us still like to see The poor man in his dwelling narrow, The hollyhock, the bumblebee, The meadow lark, and chirping sparrow.

Biographie

Dunbar was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer, active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His poetry often explores themes of love, nature, social justice, and the complexities of African American identity, using imagery drawn from rural Southern life and the broader human experience. He wrote in both standard English, with a refined and romantic style, and in dialect, capturing the cadences of Black speech, a duality that defined his literary reputation. His landmark collection "Lyrics of Lowly Life" (1896) brought him national acclaim and remains a cornerstone of his legacy. Dunbar's work marked a significant milestone in American literature as one of the first African American writers to gain widespread international recognition, paving the way for future generations of Black poets.

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