A Celebration of Identity: A Literary Analysis of Coal by Audre Lorde There was a point in history that the color of the skin determines the identity and fate of people. It mostly affected the black race as they were condemned and their rights were constantly violated during those times. Further, not so long ago, the LGBT group almost experienced similar condemnation, and even up until now some critics continue to oppose these gender preferences. How much more if you are a black and a lesbian at the same time?
Although, we can say that even these cases are still existent, we have already came a long way and freed urselves from those kinds of discrimination. As we are now in the business of promoting equality for all race or gender and embracing all differences in identities. Lorde, in her poem Coal, uses double consciousness, referring the images of coal and diamond as sourced from darkness and light. Moreover, the author showed her transformation from coal to diamond in terms of accepting her blackness.
However, as supposed to her purpose of giving empowerment and voice to black women, she instead, ironically rejected to have this two-way relationship with the society as she took the superiority and highly spoke of erself about being black and coal. Vivid themes, descriptions and imageries have dominated this literary piece by Audre Lorde. As I go along with my discussion, let me share to you my thoughts about it by breaking the poem into parts and interpreting them as a whole towards the end.
She opens the poem with, “I is the total black, being spoken from the earth’s inside. ” Noticed that she uses “I”, which established the truth that it was based on her experiences. Then, she continued by saying, “is a total black”, which for me was an indication that she wanted to set herself apart from the rest and emphasized her wn identity as a total black. And, “being spoken from the earth’s inside”, was somehow a subtle outcry that words of black people remained unheard, and does not appear audible and visible because they are in darkness.
She further reiterated with the succeeding verses of the poem how the situations were totally different with the “diamonds” which I could easily guess referring to white people, as they can freely express themselves and be heard. Next, “Some words are open, Like a diamond on glass windows, Singing out within, the crash of passing sun, Then there are words like stapled wagers, In a perforated book-buy nd sign and tear apart-, And come whatever wills all chances”. It continually conveys that white people were constantly getting favors just by being white. As they can take decisions and express themselves in accordance to their will.
On the other hand, black people regardless of how sensible they may be, still remained to be on the least priority of their society. As she continued more and more imageries emerged, showing her struggles as a black woman and constantly being judge and even to the point of being singled out in a crowd. Being called names and given accusations because of her origin. Further, the poem delivered her perspectives and purposes of establishing her kind and encouraged everyone to take a second look and understand that individuality is equally significant regardless if you are black or white.
In her tone, she wanted to further highlight to the readers, especially to black people to know their self-worth and they have important stories to tell and that they also have significant roles in opening the eyes of the majority that they should be dealt with normally, as in, they are part of the community and they are contributing to its progress greatly. Being true to herself was the brand that Lorde wanted to advocate with her fellow despite them being labelled negatively.
She was up for celebrating their uniqueness, and also established her strong opposition with power (of the “diamonds”) upon doing so. Lorde, also being biologically a woman (although openly lesbian) also has her hormones getting in the way. As she spoke more of out of her emotions at during the entire poem, leading her to becoming less logical with her claims. It may also be the reason why she sounded domineering and to me, also, sarcastic especially in the middle parts of her poem. Moreover, at this part as she stated, “The stub remains, An ill-pulled tooth with a ragged edge.
Some words live in my throat, Breeding like adders. Others know sun, Seeking like gypsies over my tongue, To explode through my lips, Like young sparrows bursting from shell. Some words, Bedevil me. ” I could already sense her desperation and anger, and that at any moment she would no longer contain her feelings and explode, being aware that the consequences may not be good, but, does not care about its outcome anyways as long as she delivers the message to these people clearly as how “she wanted” them to nderstand it.
In the end, she balanced her emotionally burdened poem by using the matters of love. She indicated, “Love is a word another kind of open-, As a diamond comes into a knot of flame, I am black because I come from the earth’s inside, Take my word for jewel in your open light. ” For me, what she meant was although there were differences between coal and diamond what remains constant is love. And, that love knows no boundaries or classification, it will not tell people their color, the status in life or lifestyle.
It doesn’t look into somebody else’s origin, it just love despite and in spite of. She further indicated that despite being different, coal and diamond had its fair share of hardships but then again, it was love that comes in between and what connects them, love is what bridge and set aside flaws. It is love that teaches them acceptance even if the world dictates that one shall be given favored as the other shall be despised. I can say too much about how good this poem is and see its sense as I divided them into parts.
I like the courage that the author showcased, I like the inspiration that she draws, that most should follow. However, the only problem that I had is her approach. As she spoke more about herself and her struggles, I am not saying that it is not a good starting point but I just wished that she did include a broader sense about those inequalities she experienced more than just being black and unheard. Because one cannot speak for the black, women and the marginalized as it seems to be where she was driving at, if she does not represent these sectors in general.
Therefore, I have two theories about this poem. First, is that it was made out of insecurity and defense mechanism. Let me just clarify that this was just solely basing on her tone, that it seems to me that he manages to make it look like that she’s confident and that she truly accepted herself but in fact she was just trying to highlight what the other side was doing wrong to make her claims more sympathetic and as a result she would be credited for it and will become a remarkable icon of strong and confident black woman.
On the other hand, giving the benefit of the doubt, it may be that she really was advocating for these sectors sincerely, and wants to make use of her experiences to inspire them of how she learned to accept herself despite the condemnation of the majority, that they can also stand up for hemselves and do the same. In conclusion, the author just wants us to achieve what most of us wanted, a country that is bringing each other up instead of stepping on each other down.
That we can live in a place where all our voices could be heard and that differences are highly celebrated and welcomed. That there would come a time that the next generation would no longer put specific labels such as black or white or coal or diamond. But, instead we will all be called “people” with equal individual rights and roles to make our country better. In that way, we can tell that the country is indeed great again.
