Tupac Poetry Activity

First, in a group, read through
all 4 of the Tupac poems.
During these readings, your aim
should be simply to get
comfortable with the poems.
Get a feel for the author’s style,
mark lines that interest or
confuse you.

Next, reread each of the poems
and then summarize EACH
poem in 3-4 sentences. (That
means 3-4 sentences for EACH
poem by that particular author.)
(20 points-5 per poem)

 For this part of the task you will
be exploring the concept that poems are arguments about ideas, as opposed to
pretty, rhyming, throw away things. If we carry this idea into our reading of
multiple poems by the same author its natural to imagine that each of the
poems contains arguments about ideas, issues, or themes that the author cares
a lot about.
*(think of an argument as a main point that you want to get across)

Begin with the idea that the collections of poems by the author represents a
statement in which the author is making arguments, then work out the answers
to the following questions:
1. What is important to the author?
2. What arguments is the author making through these poems?
You should answer these questions in 1-2 paragraphs. In these paragraphs, it is
important to make sure that you have ideas/explanations that are supported by
specific lines/moments from the poem. You must include at least TWO (2)
specific quotes from the poems to support your ideas. Integrate your support! (20
points for well written, well supported paragraphs)
Tupac Shakur Poetry
Ambition Over Adversity
Take one's adversity
Learn from their misfortune
Learn from their pain
Believe in something
Believe in yourself
Turn adversity into ambition
Now blossom into wealth
Liberty Needs Glasses
excuse me but lady liberty needs glasses
and so does mrs justice by her side
both the broads r blind as bats
stumbling thru the system
justice bumbed into mutulu and
trippin on geronimo pratt
but stepped right over oliver
and his crooked partner ronnie
justice stubbed her big toe on mandela
and liberty was misquoted by the indians
slavery was a learning phase
forgotten with out a verdict
while justice is on a rampage
4 endangered surviving black males
i mean really if anyone really valued life
and cared about the masses
theyd take em both 2 pen optical
and get 2 pair of glasses
Read this info for some help understanding “Liberty Needs Glasses” from:
<http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2005/10/23/225025/82>
*The author makes the injustice very clear by making allusions to people who have been
affected by injustice and have been denied of their liberty. For example the first allusion
he makes is to Mutulu. "Justice bumbed into Mutulu and trippin over Geronimo Pratt."
(5-6) Mutulu was his step father and he was imprisoned because he was accused of
conspiring against the U.S, but the point that he wanted to make is that he was falsely
accused and yet he is still not broken. Then he makes reference to Geronimo Pratt who
was his godfather and also a Black Panther who was incarcerated accused of the murder
of Caroline Olsen. He had a very fraudulent trial where testified falsely against him. And
then after being in jail for 27 years he was still strong. While he was in prison he studied
law, demonstrating that that wasn't able to break him down either. Also the same purpose
when he makes an allusion to Mandela.
In The Depths of Solitude
i exist in the depths of solitude
pondering my true goal
trying 2 find peace of mind
and still preserve my soul
constantly yearning 2 be accepted
and from all receive respect
never comprising but sometimes risky
and that is my only regret
a young heart with an old soul
how can there be peace
how can i be in the depths of solitude
when there r 2 inside of me
this duo within me causes
the perfect opportunity
2 learn and live twice as fast
as those who accept simplicity
And 2Morrow
Today is filled with anger
fueled with hidden hate
scared of being outcast
afraid of common fate
Today is built on tragedies
which no one wants 2 face
nightmares 2 humanities
and morally disgraced
Tonight is filled with rage
violence in the air
children bred with ruthlessness
because no one at home cares
Tonight I lay my head down
but the pressure never stops
knawing at my sanity
content when I am dropped
But 2morrow I c change
a chance 2 build a new
Built on spirit intent of Heart
and ideals
based on truth
and tomorrow I wake with second wind
and strong because of pride
2 know I fought with all my heart 2 keep my
dream alive