Experience the breadth and depth of Paul Laurence Dunbar's poetry--and
learn how it reflects his singular life as a late-nineteenth-century
black man.
Did you know that Paul Laurence Dunbar originated such famous lines as
"I know why the caged bird sings" and "We wear the mask that grins and
lies"? From his childhood in poverty and his early promise as a poet
through his struggles to find acceptance as a writer and his tumultuous
romance with his wife, to his immense fame and his untimely death,
Dunbar's story is one of triumph and tragedy. But his legacy remains in
his much-beloved poetry--told in both Standard English and in
dialect--which continues to delight and inspire readers today. More than
two dozen of Dunbar's poems are woven throughout this volume,
illuminating the phases of his life and serving as examples of dialect,
imagery, and tone. Narrating in a voice full of admiration and respect,
Sally Derby introduces Paul Laurence Dunbar's life and poetry to
listeners young and old.