THE ROSE

THAT GREW FROM

CONCRETE
TUPAC SHAKUR
ABOUT POET:
◦ Tupac Shakur (1971-1996) was an
African American rapper, actor, poet, and
activist. Shakur continues to be considered
an influential rapper today and has been
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame. As you read, take notes on how the
speaker feels about the rose.
The Rose That Grew From Concrete
Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature’s laws wrong it
learned to walk without having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF
THE TITLE?
LINES 1-2
Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?

The speaker opens with a rhetorical question in a conversational style : Did you hear about the rose that
grew from a crack in the concrete? The question put fourth is intriguing because its unlikely that a rose
can grow from a crack in the concrete. This sets the reader to be intrigued and to listen to want to learn
more about the rose.
Tone: casual tone

The rose – works as a metaphor for Tupac, the “crack in the concrete” also alludes to Tupacs life.

The rose symbolizes: strength and drive

Concrete symbolizes : the ghetto, the streets, the environment that is holding him back.
Implying that it is very hard to survive in a harsh environment that can either hold you back or give you
just enough room for growth to make something of yourself.
LINES 3-4
Proving nature’s laws wrong it
learned to walk without having feet.

◦ “Proving that nature’s laws wrong it”; the rose grew to become what it was without any care or a base to
stand on, even against “natures law”. This implies that this rose is truly remarkable. It also refers to the
struggle that most people face in poor neighbourhoods and the negative mindset to not want to succeed to the
fullest of ones ability. Tupac also describes the life with barriers that prevent them from achieving dreams.

◦ Lines 1-4 tells the reader what the rose has accomplished

◦ Learned to walk without having feet – this phrase is a symbol for the little boy that grew up in the ghetto
who didn’t have care/support to succeed in life, but did it anyway. This signifies that all things can be
achieved on your own with hard work and dedication.
◦ Ironically, the lack of care from his surrounding did not hinder growth but success was possible despite the
hardships.
Lines 5-6
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.

◦ Although it might seem unlikely or “funny” for a rose to grow from a “crack in the concrete” it was able
to do so by “keeping its dreams.”
◦ Through dreaming and perseverance (persistent, keep going), using what you have the rose could
succeed by breathing fresh air.
◦ Fresh air : getting a taste of a better life. The conditions of the concrete are not natural therefore, it is
possible for change which can allow all possibilities.
◦ The rose achieves freedom from the once deprived lifestyle by maintaining commitment to dreams the
impossibilities of the environment.
LINES 7-8
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.

◦ Here, Tupac salutes the rose, which was able to survive even when no one cared for it.
◦ Repetitiously reminding the reader that through the struggle the rose continues to pursue his dreams
moving forward in life, proving that you can have a positive outcome from a negative situation.
◦ The rose is to be praised for becoming famous and noticed for growth because no one assisted or cared
whether the rose made it.
SUMMARY OF THE POEM
◦ Literal summary : It is about a rose that grew from concrete. The rose defied the laws of nature by
walking and growing from concrete.
◦ Symbolic summary: A boy that grew up in the “ghetto”, became successful by working hard. In this case,
the little boy is Tupac.

TYPE OF POEM?
Free Verse
SPEAKERS ATTITUDE TOWARDS
THE POEM
◦ He is speaking with a tone of hope and encouragement that grew out of a situation that appeared hopeless
and impossible.

◦ There is a continuous shift and change in rhythm between the lines.

◦ 1-2 - what he has accomplished
◦ 3-4 how he has survived
THEME
◦ Tupac uses symbolism to disguise himself as the rose and the atmosphere he grew in as the concrete.
◦ The message implied is that it is very hard to survive and accomplish your dreams if you grow up in an
area with bad influence. Thus, one should strive to not give up, even if you don’t have support to
succeed.
◦ Tupac grew up in the “ghetto”. He never had money or support, but still tried and succeeded.
◦ The purpose of this poem is to let the reader know to always try their best, have hope no matter what the
circumstances are, work hard for your dreams
POETIC DEVICES USED?
◦ Extended metaphor throughout the poem (from beginning to end) The extended metaphor is the rose’s
life which is the poet (Tupac), he succeeded in spite of coming from the ghetto.
◦ Metaphor: “the rose had no feet” line 4 – Tupac had no opportunities to succeed in life
◦ Alliteration
1) The rose that
2) Crack in the concrete
3) Walk without
4) Feet funny
5) Long live
◦ Personification : walk, dream and breathe. The poet is personifying both bravery and loneliness because
through it all he made it though the tough times alone and it took a brave individual to be able to believe
in themselves and make it successfully alone.
◦ Assonance: ”is wrong it” repetition of the vowel sound. “seems”, “keeping” and “dreams”
THE ROSE CONCRETE
QUESTIONS
◦ _____1. Which of the following identifies a main theme of the text?
◦ A. All living things need support from others in order to grow.
◦ B. We must learn and grow from our failures.
◦ C. People can overcome difficulties and succeed.
◦ D. Nature can overcome problems better than people.

◦ _____2. Which detail from the poem best supports the answer to Part A?
◦ A. “Did you hear about the rose that grew” (Lines 1)
◦ B. “learned to walk without having feet.” (Line 4)
◦ C. “Long live the rose that grew from concrete” (Line 7)
◦ D. “when no one else ever cared.” (Line 8)
◦ _____3. How does the speaker's point of view influence how the rose is described?
◦ A. Curious about the rose, the speaker asks several questions about it.
◦ B. Believing that the rose is not real, the speaker exaggerates its qualities.
◦ C. Feeling pity for the rose, the speaker lists all of the hardships it has faced.
◦ D. Impressed by the rose, the speaker explains what makes it so admirable.

◦ 4. In the context of the poem, how does an individual rise above hardship? Have you ever felt like
a “rose that grew from concrete,” as described by Tupac Shakur? If so, what was the difficult
situation that you faced, and how did you rise above it? If not, who is someone else you might
describe as a “rose that grew from concrete”? What makes him or her similar to this Rose?
◦ 5. In the context of the poem, can we take full control over our own fate? Do
you think it is
◦ necessary to get support from others, or can we succeed in difficult situations
on our own,
◦ without others’ help?

◦ 6. Why do you think dreams are important for the rose’s survival? What
dreams do you have
◦ for your own future? Are these dreams important to you? Why or why not?