Frederick Douglass
By Robert Hayden
When it is finally ours, this freedom, this liberty, this beautiful
and terrible thing, needful to man as air,
usable as earth; when it belongs at last to all,
when it is truly instinct, brain matter, diastole, systole,
reflex action; when it is finally won; when it is more
than the gaudy mumbo jumbo of politicians:
this man, this Douglass, this former slave, this Negro
beaten to his knees, exiled, visioning a world
where none is lonely, none hunted, alien,
this man, superb in love and logic, this man
shall be remembered. Oh, not with statues’ rhetoric,
not with legends and poems and wreaths of bronze alone,
but with the lives grown out of his life, the lives
fleshing his dream of the beautiful, needful thing.
Summary of Frederick Douglass
- Popularity of “Frederick Douglass”: Robert Hayden’s poem “Frederick Douglass” is a powerful tribute to the famed abolitionist and orator. First published in 1961 in The Atlantic, and later collected in Collected Poems of Robert Hayden, the poem moves beyond a simple biographical recounting to explore the very essence of freedom and how it should be honored. It isn’t merely about Douglass’s accomplishments, but about what his life means for generations to come.
- “Frederick Douglass” As a Representative of Racial Discrimination and Freedom: The poem anticipates a future where freedom is truly realized—not just as a political concept, but as an intrinsic part of human existence. Hayden describes freedom as vital as “air,” and essential as “earth,” demonstrating its fundamental need to mankind. The poem elevates Douglass not as a figure of the past, but as a visionary who dreamed of a world free from loneliness and alienation. The poet insists that true remembrance isn’t about empty gestures like statues, but about the continuing legacy of lives transformed by Douglass’s fight.
- Major Themes in “Frederick Douglass”: Freedom, the struggle against oppression, and the enduring power of a heroic example are central to this poem. Hayden presents freedom not simply as the absence of chains, but as something fundamental to human nature, deeply ingrained in our very physiology (“instinct, brain matter, diastole, systole”). The poem suggests that true freedom is achieved when it transcends political maneuvering and becomes a lived reality for all, and Douglass’s life is the embodiment of that hope.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Frederick Douglass
Literary and poetic devices are tools writers use to convey meaning, evoke emotion, and create a richer experience for the reader. Here’s an in-depth exploration of how Hayden uses these techniques in “Frederick Douglass.”
Assonance and Consonance
Hayden masterfully employs sound devices to create rhythm and emphasize certain ideas.
- Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, is present in lines like “When it is finally ours, this freedom, this liberty, this beautiful / and terrible thing…” The repeated ‘i’ and ‘e’ sounds create a flowing musicality.
- Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds, can be found in lines such as “when it is truly instinct, brain matter, diastole, systole”. The repetition of the ‘t’ and ‘s’ sounds creates a subtle emphasis and connects these words thematically.
Enjambment
Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, is used frequently throughout the poem. For example:
where none is lonely, none hunted, alien,
this man, superb in love and logic, this man
shall be remembered.
This technique creates a sense of momentum and flow, mirroring the ongoing struggle for freedom. It also encourages the reader to connect ideas across lines, deepening the poem’s meaning.
Imagery
Hayden’s use of vivid imagery appeals to the reader’s senses and helps to convey the poem’s themes. For instance, comparing freedom to “air” and “earth” immediately establishes it as a fundamental human need. The image of Douglass “beaten to his knees, exiled” evokes a powerful sense of suffering and resilience. These images create an emotional connection between the reader and the poem’s subject.
Metaphor and Symbolism
The entire poem functions as an extended metaphor, portraying Douglass as the embodiment of freedom’s potential. Liberty isn’t just described; it is air, earth, a vital force. Furthermore, the poem utilizes symbolism. Douglass himself becomes a symbol of hope and resistance. The “lives grown out of his life” symbolize the ongoing legacy of his work and the continuing fight for equality.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Specific to “Frederick Douglass”
While many literary devices overlap with poetic ones, certain techniques are particularly prominent in poetry. Let’s examine a few relevant to this poem.
Free Verse
“Frederick Douglass” is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter. This allows Hayden to prioritize natural language and rhythm, creating a conversational yet powerful tone. The lack of formal structure reflects the poem’s message of liberation and the breaking of traditional constraints.
Stanza Structure
The poem consists of a single, extended stanza of fourteen lines. This contributes to the poem’s sense of continuous flow and emphasizes the interconnectedness of its ideas. The lack of breaks within the stanza suggests the ongoing, unbroken struggle for freedom.
Repetition
Repetition, a rhetorical device used for emphasis, is subtle but effective in “Frederick Douglass.” The repeated use of “this…” in the first and eighth lines emphasizes the central figure of Douglass and reinforces his importance. Similarly, the phrase “lives” in the final two lines reinforces the idea of a lasting legacy.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines from “Frederick Douglass” are particularly effective when discussing themes of social justice, remembrance, and the power of individual action.
Oh, not with statues’ rhetoric,
not with legends and poems and wreaths of bronze alone,
but with the lives grown out of his life, the lives
fleshing his dream of the beautiful, needful thing.
These lines challenge us to consider what true remembrance looks like. It’s not enough to simply honor figures from the past with monuments; we must actively work to build a future that embodies their ideals.
“Frederick Douglass” is a complex and moving poem that continues to resonate with readers today. By exploring its themes, analyzing its literary devices, and considering its historical context, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the power of poetry and the enduring legacy of Frederick Douglass.