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“Yet Do I marvel”

“Yet Do I marvel”. Countee Cullen Patrick Lawrence. Title. When I first read the title, I think of someone marveling at a great creation, person, artifact, or nature. Usually when you marvel about something, you are observing an object that leaves you thinking or in awe. Paraphrase.

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“Yet Do I marvel”

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  1. “Yet Do I marvel” Countee Cullen Patrick Lawrence

  2. Title • When I first read the title, I think of someone marveling at a great creation, person, artifact, or nature. Usually when you marvel about something, you are observing an object that leaves you thinking or in awe.

  3. Paraphrase • Cullen is marveling God and God’s creation. Cullen wonders why as humans and Gods creation we “must some day die” even though we are examples of God’s great work. Cullen then switches to race and God and how taken aback he is that God would make someone black or “to make a poet black” in a world like today.

  4. Connotation • Paradox= Cullen praises God for his creations and for having all the answers but Cullen also is aware of the reality in world and of his race and how God might not have all the answers in this case. • Allusion= Cullen alludes to Greek Mythology when he refers to Tantalus and Sisyphus. Cullen also refers to our God by using “Him” or “He” • Cullen uses an ABAB rhyme scheme which creates a lighten mood and a constant meter • The poem is in first person and Cullen’s point of view; “To make a poet black, and bid him sing!”

  5. Attitude • Cullen has at first a respecting attitude and how he marvels God. However, after the shift, Cullen’s attitude changes to uncertainty and curiosity.

  6. Shifts • The first half of the poem is praising God and his work. By the second half of the poem, the poem shifts into a negative tone and questioning God. This shift occurs at the line “If merely brute caprice dooms Sisyphus.” Cullen then continues to question God and why Cullen and his race are being discriminated against.

  7. Title • “Yet Do I Marvel” is about Cullen marveling at God’s creation and God’s work. However Cullen is not able to grasp the idea that God has no answer to discrimination and race. Or why Cullen was even created if he won’t be accepted into society.

  8. Theme • Race: “To make a poet black, and bid him sing!” • Religion: “God”, “He”, “Him” • Suffering: Race and discrimination • Weakness: God has no answer for discrimination or race

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