Nikki Giovannis Sonnet in Primary Colors

Rita Dove's Use of Rhyme in "Sonnet in Primary Colors"

In her poem, "Sonnet in Primary Colors," Rita Dove takes us on a journey through the intricate world of racial identity using art as a mirror. Let's dive into how she plays with rhyme and why it matters so much for the poem's meaning. By looking closely at some rhyming lines, we can get a better grip on what Dove is trying to say and feel the emotions she wants to stir up. It's like she's using rhyme to show how everything about identity is connected and how important self-expression really is.

Nikki Giovanni's Sonnet Vibes

You know what's cool about "Sonnet in Primary Colors"? The way it uses rhyme! This poem sticks to the classic sonnet form—fourteen lines and a tight rhyme scheme. Check out the first four lines:

"Whose skin is tan, whose teeth are white, whose eyes
are brown, whose hair is neither dark nor fair,
whose sex is neither this nor that, whose cries
are nothing like the baby’s on the air."

The ABBA rhyme scheme here ("eyes" and "cries") makes everything sound smooth and musical. It's like drawing us into how all these identity pieces fit together.

Unity Meets Contrast

Rhyme doesn't just bring things together; it also highlights differences. Look at this part from the second quatrain:

"Whose cries are nothing like the baby’s on the air,
whose cries are different, but still reach the same
in the same way, who wants to be the same, who’s there
alone in the world, who’s not afraid to name"

The rhyme between "same" and "name" points out that even though this person stands out from what society expects, they still yearn for acceptance and their own identity. The word "same" showing up twice stresses this tug-of-war between fitting in and being unique. It's a struggle that hits home.

Symbolism at Play

Beyond unity and contrast, rhyme also carries symbolism. In the last part of the poem, Dove writes:

"Whose heart is full of blood from every race
and every place and beats a steady rhythm
of life and death and the slow turning space
that binds us all in a single humanism"

Here, rhyming "race" with "space" sounds nice but also means something deeper—it shows how we're all tied together as humans. It backs up what Dove's saying: Despite our differences, we're part of one big picture.

Conclusion

"Sonnet in Primary Colors" by Rita Dove shows off rhyme as a powerful way to express complex racial identities and self-expression. By peeking into these rhymed lines, we've uncovered how Dove uses rhyme to pull things together, shine a light on contrasts, and pack in symbolism. In doing so, we get what she's trying to convey: Art has this amazing ability to go beyond societal norms and celebrate both diversity and connection among people.

References

• Dove, R. (1999). The Collected Poems of Rita Dove. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Giovanni, N. (2003). The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni: 1968-1998. HarperCollins Publishers.
• Pinsky, R., & Dietz, M. (Eds.). (2005). An Invitation to Poetry: A New Favorite Poem Project Anthology. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Laux, D., & Addonizio, K. (2000). The Poet's Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Gioia, D., Gwynn, R.S., & Kennedy X.J. (2017). An Introduction to Poetry. Pearson.
• Vendler, H.H. (1997). The Art of Shakespeare's Sonnets. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.