The Rose That Grew From Concrete
ISBN :9780671028442
Bibliography: Shakur, T. (2006). THE ROSE THAT GREW FROM CONCRETE. Simon & Schuster.
Plot Summary:
Arguably one of the most influential and popular rap stars of the 80’s and 90’s, Tupac was and continues to be the inspiration for many young and upcoming rappers. Tupac’s poem depicts a rose thriving in unusual circumstances and praises its triumph over adversity. His short, yet metaphorical poem personifies a rose that grows out of a crack in the concrete, and despite the fact that “nature’s laws wrong it,” it “learned to walk without having feet” and “learned to breathe fresh air.”
Critical Analysis:
Tupac’s short poem The Rose That Grew From Concrete, from an anthology of poems by the same title, beautifully describes how a rose blooms under difficult conditions. He uses nature as an example that even the most fragile of its inhabitants can overcome the harshest of situations. His simple words are tactfully written and incorporate slang that prevails in his music making it a familiar piece for his followers. Perseverance is the main message of this poem. His words are an inspiration to those who are facing hard times and are unsure of their future. Youth and adults alike will find his work inspiring as many of them see him as an icon and follow his music closely.
Review Excerpt(s):
“YA-A collection of poetry written by the rapper between 1989 and 1991, before he became famous. The poems are passionate, sometimes angry, and often compelling. Selections are reproduced from the originals in Shakur's handwriting, personalized by distinctive spelling and the use of ideographs (a drawing of an eye for I, etc.), and complete with scratch outs and corrections. With the exception of "In the Event of My Demise," all of the pieces are accompanied by typed text, which leaves his spelling intact. Some poems are also accompanied by his drawings. A few black-and-white photographs appear throughout. A preface by Shakur's mother, a foreword by Nikki Giovanni, and an introduction by his manager, Leila Steinburg, in whose writing group the poems were written, complete this unique volume.”- School library journal
Connection:
*Students can write about a time in the past when they had to overcome an obstacle that felt impossible at the start.
* Think about ways you are like the rose. Make a list of at least 3 things the concrete could represent in your life.
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