The Negro Speaks of Rivers
Quotes
Exp: The speaker says he knows rivers that are as old as the world itself. This means the history of Black people began at the very start of human life. It shows that their roots are ancient and strong.“I’ve known rivers ancient as the world…”
Exp: The speaker feels that his soul has become deep and wise like the rivers. It means he has gained knowledge and strength from the long history of his black race.“My soul has grown deep like the rivers.”
Exp: These lines connect the Black people to ancient civilizations of the world. The speaker says he lived near great rivers like the Euphrates, Congo, and Nile. This means that his race was a part of history, wisdom, and greatness from the beginning.“I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo…
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.”