By Gwendolyn Brooks
Gwendolyn Brooks is a black American
poet.
 Born in Kansas on 7 June 1917 and
educated in Chicago, United States of
America.
 Published first volume of verse in 1945,
called A Street in Bronzeville which
focuses on the Black urban poor.
 Many of Brooks' works display a
political element, especially from the
1960s and later, many reflects the civil
rights activism of that period.
 Died 3 December 2000.

The Pool Players.
Seven at the Golden Shovel.
We real cool. We
Left school. We
Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We
Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We
Jazz June. We
Die soon.
 Subtitle
and four couplets.
 Internal rhyme - words sink in, emphasis on
words in middle (also alliteration).
 Pause after each rhyme word (full-stop).
 Each word only one syllable.
 Enjambment – uncontrollable recklessness of
boys.
 Repetition of “We” at end of every line
except last = “We”, reinforces idea that they
have no sense of themselves (no
individuality)
“The Pool Players.
Seven at the Golden
Shovel.”
 Golden Shovel is a
pool hall in the
South Side of
Chicago late 1950’s
 Irony
– name of hall contrasts with aimless
lives of boys
 Seven: seven boys, lucky number (Seventh
day of Rest after Creation – boys do not
complete work)
 Golden: symbolizes summer and youth
 HOWEVER, Shovel: relates to death
“We real cool. We
Left school. We”
 We real cool – think it’s
cool to not care about
their lives, happy-go-lucky
lifestyle.
 Left school – not attend or
dropped out, don’t care
about education.
“Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We”
 Lurk late – boys stay out late on the streets
and probably commit petty crimes.
 Strike straight – habit of getting into fights.
“Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We”
 Sing sin – wild life, actions
not associated with the norm
or they curse a lot.
 Thin gin – drink, abuse
alcohol.
“Jazz June. We
Die soon.”
 June – month represents polite society and
authority figures.
 Jazz – boys rebel against June.
 THUS they rather listen to music, they mock
rules.
 Die soon – because of their reckless lifestyle
they will possibly die.
 Diction
is the words used by the poet.
 Reads like lyrics of a jazz tune, relaxed
atmosphere.
 Black lingo of 50’s used, breaks rules of
proper English (SLANG).
 NOT
harsh and judgemental.
 Curious of boys’ thoughts.
 Thoughtful and sympathetic.
 Why
did the poet write this poem?
 The poet tries to imagine what boys think of
their own lives.
 Sympathizes and relates to them.
Youth is exposed to such lifestyles and
choices
 The
poem explores
troubled teenagers.
 By continuing a reckless
and rebellious lifestyle
you will eventually suffer
the consequences.
 If you look for trouble
you will find it.
 Society
 Death
excludes certain people - Alienation
Group identity - there is a bond between these
boys.
They want to be noticed, but also want to
seem as if they don’t care – they are
insecure.
After you have pasted in the poem, turn to the
next blank page. Draw a graphic depiction
(pictures) of the activities
the players take part in.