Activity

An Autobiographical Analysis of the Poem The Poet by Paul L. Dunbar

This paper will seek to understand the autobiographical nature of the poem “The Poet” by Paul L. Dunbar. By realizing the African American experience after the American Civil War, we can see how Dunbar shows his own optimism to get an education, as well as his ability to learn how to write and give poetry to the world. However, he is also aware of the racial restrictions that keep him from being published, as white publishers would not accept his works.