Booker T. & WEB Poem Analysis

​Booker T & W.E.B: poem analysis

By Brinea Wright

Individual poem reading

Booker t. & w.e.b:

Take a moment to read individually and QUIETLY the poem I am giving you. The poem I am giving you is your copy to write on when we are analyzing it.

Post-Read Question

The disagreement between Booker T. and W.E.B. feels like a larger question about progress and change. Do you think people still face similar debates today, about the best way to create equality or opportunity?

• Now, I want you all to listen to Dudley reading the poem

• https://blogs.loc.gov/catbird/2020/01/literary-treasures-dudley-randall-reads-his-poetry-at-the-library-of-congress-1975/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
  

Audio of the poem

Post-Listening Questions

• How does hearing Randall’s voice change the way you feel about the poem? What emotions or tones do you notice in his voice? Did he sound neutral, admiring, frustrated, or something else? 

• How does that affect how you see each man’s ideas?

Booker t & w.e.b. analysis

We will go stanza by stanza...

Stanza one: booker t speaking

“It seems to me,” said Booker T.,

“It shows a mighty lot of cheek

To study chemistry and Greek

When Mister Charlie needs a hand

To hoe the cotton on his land,

And when Miss Ann looks for a cook,

Why stick your nose inside a book?”

Open Ended

“It seems to me,” said Booker T., / “It shows a mighty lot of cheek…”

What does “cheek” mean here? How does that word choice shape Booker T.’s tone?

Open Ended

“It seems to me,” said Booker T., / “It shows a mighty lot of cheek…”

What connotation stands out—admiration or criticism?

Open Ended

“To study chemistry and Greek / When Mister Charlie needs a hand…”

Who might “Mister Charlie” represent?

Open Ended

“To study chemistry and Greek / When Mister Charlie needs a hand…”

What contrast is Booker T. drawing between education and labor?

Open Ended

“To study chemistry and Greek / When Mister Charlie needs a hand…”

How do the rhyme and rhythm reinforce his viewpoint?

Open Ended

“To hoe the cotton on his land, / And when Miss Ann looks for a cook…”

Look at the words “hoe,” “cotton,” and “cook.”
What ideas or feelings do these words suggest about Booker T.’s idea of progress? Think about tone, work, and the kind of success he values.

Sometimes we can come up with different meanings...

This shows us something important: Booker T.’s diction can be interpreted in different ways depending on the reader’s tone. That’s exactly what we mean by nuances in meaning, one word can suggest pride to one person and submission to another.

Open Ended

“Why stick your nose inside a book?”

What type of expression is this and what does it mean?

Multiple Choice

In line 7, Booker T. says, “Why stick your nose inside a book?”
What does this line reveal about his attitude toward education?

• A. He believes academic study is less important than practical, hands-on work.

• B. He feels people should balance education with labor to gain respect.

• C. He admires those who dedicate their time to learning advanced subjects.

• D. He thinks education is the only path to true freedom and equality.

Open Ended

How does Booker T.’s diction and tone reveal what he believes progress should look like for African Americans during his time?

Based on what we’ve seen, Booker T.’s diction is simple, steady, and rooted in work and stability. His tone feels practical... almost like he’s saying, ‘Let’s prove ourselves through effort, not argument.’

Now that we understand his idea of progress, let’s look at someone who completely disagreed with him…

Stanza Two: WEB Speaking

“I don’t agree,” said W.E.B.,

“If I should have the drive to seek

Knowledge of chemistry or Greek,

I’ll do it. Charles and Miss can look

Another place for hand or cook.

Some men rejoice in skill of hand,

And some in cultivating land,

But there are others who maintain

The right to cultivate the brain.”

Multiple Choice

“I don’t agree,” said W.E.B., / “If I should have the drive to seek…”

What does W.E.B.’s opening statement reveal about his character?

• A. He feels pressured to agree with Booker T.

• B. He speaks with confidence and independence.

• C. He’s mocking Booker T.’s beliefs.

• D. He’s unsure of his own opinion.

Open Ended

“Knowledge of chemistry or Greek, / I’ll do it. Charles and Miss can look / Another place for hand or cook.”

Who are “Charles” and “Miss,” and what is W.E.B. rejecting in these lines?

Multiple Choice

Based on the lines below, Which best describes W.E.B.’s tone here?

“If I should have the drive to seek

Knowledge of chemistry or Greek,

I’ll do it. Charles and Miss can look

Another place for hand or cook.

• Defensive

• Proud

• Careless

• Sarcastic

Open Ended

“Some men rejoice in skill of hand, / And some in cultivating land, / But there are others who maintain / The right to cultivate the brain.”

What overall contrast is W.E.B. drawing in these lines, and how does the word “cultivate” deepen his meaning?

Multiple Choice

What is the best interpretation of “cultivate the brain”?

• A. It connects education to growth and development.

• B. It criticizes people who work with their hands.

• C. It means people should abandon physical labor.

• D. It suggests only the wealthy can be educated.

Open Ended

How does W.E.B.’s tone and diction in this stanza challenge Booker T.’s message from Stanza 1?