Poem-"A Brown Girl Dead" by Countee Cullen

[Ms. Knarr]

"A Brown Girl Dead" By Countee Cullen 1903–1946



With two white roses on her breasts,

White candles at head and feet,

Dark Madonna of the grave she rests;

Lord Death has found her sweet.



Her mother pawned her wedding ring

To lay her out in white;

She’d be so proud she’d dance and sing

To see herself tonight.

[rosemariefreschi]

1.This poem is meant to show that even those that are considered insignificant to some in that time period such as the poor or black die too. Death comes after all and in the end we will all end up in the same place. Death however should not be hated, but celebrated. We should be proud of ourselves that we have survived the temptations of the world we lived in and we should rejoice in the fact that we will be in heaven.
2.This piece was okay. It didn’t really make an impact on me like the other pieces I have read to the point where I’ll probably forget it after writing this. I also feel as if there’s no point to this poem. It has no true meaning or concept.
3.Q1: Does the fact that white makes a constant reoccurrence throughout several objects included in the poem matter?
Q2: Is the fact that the mother had to sell the wedding band ring significant?
Q3: You’re supposed to see yourself and the world from heaven so why can’t she?
Q4: What does Dark Madonna mean?

[marysiagarcia]

1. I feel like this poem is is talking about a young girl that dies and never got to experience life but she was a good girl so we must be happy because she is probably going to heaven. I agree that death is being celebrated here but at the same time it is sad because the mom had to pawn her wedding ring. I feel like it shows the poverty but the total commitment to her daughter as well
2. I found the piece interesting. It was short and sweet but very cryptic and makes you think about what exactly is being said. I don't know if it will be prominent in my mind but it has a significance. I feel like it has a meaning of devotion and innocence.
3. (Answering question 1 by Rosemarie)I feel like the white in many objects represents the innocence of the girl dying and how we must celebrate how pure she was.
4. Why would the girl sing and dance about her own funeral?

Marysia, make sure that you write down what question you are answering for easier reading!-Ms.Knarr

[rosemariefreschi]

1. Marysia I believe you have a wonderful point about the mother's commitment to her daughter. The mother could have sold her daughter's wedding ring and then kept the money for herself which she probably needed as we are to assume she was poor. Also when reading this poem I never thought about how this girl never got to experience life, I just thought about her death. That was a good point!
2. (answering Marysia's) I believe that the girl would sing and dance because she has finally escaped what we can only assume to be a not too good of a life. She will now be in heaven where she is save. In that I am sure her mother and husband will find comfort which I also believes makes her happy
(my question) Could Cullen have been writing about a death/funeral she experienced in her life?

[abbyjameson]

1. Overall, I agree with Marysia and Roe about how death is being celebrated her, and the poem is making a point of showing that we all go to Heaven, no matter what our race is. All though it is sad that the mother had to pawn her wedding ring in order to dress her daughter beautifully, I believe it shows how much she loved her daughter and her commitment to her, and no matter what, she was going to care for her daughter whatever the cost may be.
2. I liked the piece mainly because of the mother's commitment to her daughter. A wedding ring is very significant and the fact that the mother was willing to give it up so her daughter was well dressed made me smile. However, I was saddened that the mother talked about how lively her daughter used to be, no mother should have to bury their daughter, but the mother knew her daughter would end up in Heaven and be happy there.
3.(Roe's question #2 from her first response) The wedding ring was so significant because it showed a mother's commitment to her daughter's happiness even if it meant giving up something she loved.

[abbyjameson]

(my question) What does it mean that "death has found her sweet"?

[morganclyne]

I believe that the overall meaning to this piece, is showing that no matter what your racial background may be everyone in the end will die and go to Heaven as all the other girls have stated as well. I believe that the poem shows that even when poverty stricken, you can still be happy and be loved as the mother does so for her daughter. I believe the overall meaning of the peace is to show happiness and equality.
2.In reaction to the piece, I felt that it started almost abruptly and that it made the rest of the poem a little confusing. I felt as if you really needed to find symbolism to the poem as well as reading into it, rather than just have reading it and understanding the concept instantly. I didn't necessarily enjoy the poem and found little significance to it and the Black Community of the time.
3.In response to Rosemarie's question number two, i felt that the mother selling her daughter's wedding band was very significant. A wedding band is very special and important to someone. The fact that her mother had to sell such a special item to get money to dress her is very sad but at the same time is very touching that she went to that extreme to make sure she would be nicely dressed for her burial. Also, as all of the girls have stated i agree that it shows the mother's commitment to her daughter.
Finally, my question would be o you think that the daughter would be mad that her mother sold her wedding ring or happy that she went to that length to get her nicely dressed?

[dougrybczynski]

1. The overall meaning of this piece is all about the celevration of death, which has been mentioned by all the other students. Her death was celebrated through the preparation of her body and the respect for her life that was most likely given at her funeral. It shows that when we pass away, we should not focus on the fact that the person is dead but celebrate their moving on and their life which they led.

2. I felt that this poem could not have gotten to me on an emotional level because it was so short. There was no emotional connection to the woman before she died and so sadly there was no sadness to hear of her death.

3. ( Abby's Question) I think that is saying that death has found her in a good way and prepared for an afterlife. Whether that means physically or emotionally is kind of left up for interpretation because of the lack of detail but I think that is the overall meaning.
My question- Was this poem meant to have a sort of disconnect between the reader and the scene being set and were the details left out on purpose?

[briannashreve]

1. I agree that the poem is celebrating death. We all die eventually. Death is the one thing that all human beings have in common, no matter what background a person comes from. I believe that the poem portrays death in almost a beautifully tragic way, that the only time the girl could look nice was at her own funeral. The mother having to pawn her own wedding ring to afford a dress for her dead daughter almost added a tragic sweetness to the whole poem. I agree with Abby, that the mother doing that for her daughter truly shows how much she loved her.

2. I liked the piece. It didn't evoke any emotions, like some of the other pieces I've read but I thought it was interesting. It made me think about my own life, and made me ask the question could I give up one of my prized possessions for someone I love. It may have no deeper meaning behind it, but I enjoyed reading it.

3. (My answer to Morgan's question)
I think that the girl would be happy that her mother went to that length for her, because it would show the girl how much her mother truly did love her. I also think the girl didn't really have nice clothes throughout her life, so finally getting to wear something nice would probably have made her happy.

My question: What does Cullen mean when he writes "Lord Death has found her sweet"?

[dannyreilly]

I agree with everyone that is saying that the poem is celebrating death. It is explinging that it will happen to everyone and that it is a peaceful event. Also, I think the Countee Cullen is saying that the girl who died would like the way she looks in her deathbed. That she would like how peaceful and serene she looks.

I liked this poem because it gives a normally sad event a brighter meaning. Also it tells a good story with good details in just two stanzas, that makes it easier to read. I also liked the fact that it shows a colored woman that has found peace.

(To Doug) I think Countee Cullen left out details on purpose to leave it up for interpretation on the readers part.
(My question) Do you think Countee Cullen experienced this in some way with a loved one or a friend?