Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Analyzing Discourse in Sugar Cane: Stanza 5/6

49) Phillis Wheatley said the sweet Christ was brought
50) here from Asia Minor to redeem an African child
51) and maybe her master’s soul as well. She wrote
52) as she lived, a model of refinement, yes,
53) but black as Abel racing through the canebrake,
54) demon bloodhounds baying in pursuit,
55) until at last his brother caught him,
56) expressed his rage, and rode back home to dinner.
57) Tell it to Fats Domino, to those who live
58) on Sugar Hill, tell it to unsuspecting Shug
59) as soon as she is old enough to hear it.

The violence and conflict peaked in the 4th stanza. Here many of the themes developed in the previous Stanza's come together. Not only is Phillis Wheatley alluded to, but she appears (again) in the poem along with her quote.

there again, is the repetition of the word "expressed"  from the previous stanza...

Here, there is finally a step towards conclusion, and a response to the line in teh first poem, "Who will tell the story."  The answer may be, that the story has already been told, and we are to retell it. As all stories. Like the blues which has a long oral tradition. We are commanded to tell tell the story to the famous, to the rich,  to the old and young.  Again, here is transportation and transformation. The quote from Wheatley suggests that Christ, the savior, comes from Africa (which is the historical evidence). And Christ in America serves as a redeemer of the African people, but also of the Americans and Christians who have sinned/committed sins.

This is the story in the Bible of Cain and Abel. Cain does kill Abel, however God does not kill him for this sin. Instead, he forbids anyone to kill Cain, and commands Cain to continue to live on earth and have a family. The poem might suggest, that Abel was black too.

there is again the repetition of the word demon (demonic, diabolic)
Here is another Domino, neither a game piece nor an international corporation. Here Domino is pianist and singer "Fats Domino" known for his jazz music as well as blues.
in line 58 Sugar is a proper noun. It is a place, a location in New York City, in Harlem, known for being the neighborhood of wealthy African Americans.

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