Song+of+the+Son

One of the poems that my class, period H, was unable to discuss in class was the poem by Jean Toomer entitled "Song of the Son", which concerns the personal theme of race, one of the greatest conflicts our nation has ever faced. After reading the poem multiple times on my own, I have come to the conclusion that it concerns the effects of slavery persisting. As a young African-American writer during the Harlem Renaissance, it is very probable that Jean was, himself, a son, to some extent, of a slave. The metaphor of son could more probably also allude to the following lines in the second stanza: "Now just before an epoch's sun declines Thy son, in time, I have returned to thee, Thy son, I have in time returned to thee" The son, from these stanzas is the next epoch, which cannot escape the recurring themes of racism present in the past epoch. Toomer clearly knew of this first-hand as he experienced much of slavery's effects through attending all-white and all-black schools, he was of mixed descent, and facing persecution all of his life. Thus for Toomer, "One plum was saved for me, one seed becomes An everlasting song, a singing tree, caroling softly souls of slavery."

Am I correct in asserting that the poem concerns the persistence of the lasting effects of slavery? What are some other lines that support/ detract from my conjecture? Can anyone explain certain lines such as "To catch thy plaintive soul, leaving, soon gone" and reconcile such lines with the theme of the poem?1205463554

I got the impression that this poem was talking about how slaver was on it's way out, but not quite gone yet. To me it sounds like the son is calling on the slaves to not give up. There is still time "to catch thy plaintive soul, leaving, soon gone." They have almost run out of hope, but I think the speaker is calling on them to hold on a little longer. The end of the slaver epoch has been a long time coming but it is not too late. I think in the first stanza the speaker is saying that any thoughts they have about "parting" and giving up, just put into song and let the "valley carry it along." This poem doesn't quiet sound hopeful, it just sounds like the speaker is trying to give the slaves inspiration to keep hanging on and not give up. The end is in sight. 1205468007

I am not sure if they have almost run out of hope. America, in order to continue the effects of slavery, has to "pour that parting soul in song", meaning they have to add more to it because time is trying to heal it. Furthermore, "The sun is setting", meaning time is healing this issue, but "it has not set", meaning that racism and the effects of slavery persist. Thus, they have hope, they are not running out of it; the poem is just serving to state that their hope is not yet fulfilled.

Also, it is important to note that the first stanza is society talking as society continues to pour racism in the valley, allowing racism to persist. Thus the overall message is not directed towards the slaves for inspiration; rather, it is a statement by the author directed at contemporary, racist society. 1205470716