Strange Fruit by Abel Meeropol

Southern trees bear a strange fruit Blood on the leaves and blood at the root Black bodies swinging in the Southern breeze Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees Pastoral scene of the gallant South The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth Scent of magnolias sweet and fresh Then the sudden smell of burning flesh Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck For the sun to rot, for the tree to drop Here is a strange and bitter crop

If We Must Die by Claude McKay

If we must die, let it not be like hogs Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot, While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs, Making their mock at our accursed lot. If we must die, O let us nobly die, So that our precious blood may not be shed In vain; then even the monsters we defy Shall be constrained to honor us though dead! O kinsmen! We must meet the common foe! Though far outnumbered let us show us brave, And for their thousand blows deal one deathblow! What though before us lies the open grave? Like men we'll face the murderous, cowardly pack, Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!

Poetry Comparison Questions (16 Points)

1. What are the similarities and differences between the formal structures of the poems (i.e. rhyme, rhythm, stanzas)? 5 Points 2. What are the similarities and differences between the figurative languages in the poems (i.e. alliteration, ambiguity, anaphora, metaphor, simile, personification)? 5 Points 3. What are the similarities and differences between the ideas and/or emotions the poems are trying to communicate? 6 Points

Same 1. Formal Structure:

Stanza Rhyme Rhythm Both poems have rhyming that follows a pattern: Strange Fruit follows an AABB pattern: fruit, root, breeze, trees If We Must Die follows as ABAB pattern: hogs, spot, dogs, lot

Different

Strange Fruit uses stanzas and If We Should Die does not use stanzas: Strange Fruit has three stanzas

2. Figurative Language:
Alliteration, Ambiguity Anaphora Metaphor Simile Personification

Both poems use alliteration: Strange Fruit: "sudden smell If We Must Die: Making their mock

If We Must Die uses simile: If we must die, let it not be like hogs

Strange Fruit is very passive 3. What is the Both poems are about against violence, while If We violence against black people poem about? Idea Emotion Should Die is very active: Strange Fruit: Black bodies swinging in the Southern breeze If We Must Die: Like men well face the murderous, cowardly pack Strange Fruit: Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck If We Must Die: Pressed to the wall, dying but fighting back