Buckdancer’s Choice By James L. Dickey - Giggle Poems

Original Poem：

So I would hear out those lungs,
The air split into nine levels,
Some gift of tongues of the whistler
In the invalid’s bed: my mother,
Warbling all day to herself
The thousand variations of one song;
It is called Buckdancer’s Choice.
For years, they have all been dying
Out, the classic buck-and-wing men
Of traveling minstrel shows;
With them also an old woman
Was dying of breathless angina,
Yet still found breath enough
To whistle up in my head
A sight like a one-man band,
Freed black, with cymbals at heel,
An ex-slave who thrivingly danced
To the ring of his own clashing light
Through the thousand variations of one song
All day to my mother’s prone music,
The invalid’s warbler’s note,
While I crept close to the wall
Sock-footed, to hear the sounds alter,
Her tongue like a mockingbird’s break
Through stratum after stratum of a tone
Proclaiming what choices there are
For the last dancers of their kind,
For ill women and for all slaves
Of death, and children enchanted at walls
With a brass-beating glow underfoot,
Not dancing but nearly risen
Through barnlike, theatrelike houses
On the wings of the buck and wing.</p>

Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem

This poem beautifully captures the intimate and poignant experience of listening to a mother whistling a traditional tune called "Buckdancer’s Choice." The speaker describes hearing the complex, layered sounds produced by their mother, who is confined to bed due to illness. The poem reflects on the fading tradition of the buck-and-wing dance, a lively form of African American dance associated with minstrel shows and cultural heritage. The mother’s whistling evokes vivid images of a one-man band and an ex-slave dancer, symbolizing resilience, freedom, and the endurance of cultural memory.

The poem’s tone is nostalgic and tender, emphasizing the connection between music, history, and personal memory. The "thousand variations of one song" suggest both the richness of tradition and the inevitable change and loss over time. The mother’s whistling serves as a bridge between past and present, life and death, illness and vitality. The speaker’s quiet, attentive presence—creeping close to the wall, listening sock-footed—highlights the reverence and wonder inspired by this fragile yet powerful expression of culture.

Background and Author Introduction

This poem is written by Gwendolyn Brooks, an influential African American poet known for her insightful portrayals of Black life in America. Brooks was the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, and her works often explore themes of racial identity, social justice, and the everyday experiences of Black communities.

The buck-and-wing dance referenced in the poem is a traditional African American dance style that combines fast footwork and rhythmic tapping, historically performed in minstrel shows and vaudeville. These performances were both a form of entertainment and a complex cultural expression shaped by the history of slavery and African American resilience.

Brooks’ poem reflects her deep respect for cultural heritage and the power of art to preserve memory. It also touches on themes of aging, illness, and the passage of time, seen through the intimate relationship between the speaker and their ailing mother.

Educational Insights and Learning Points

Students and children can learn several important lessons from this poem:

• Cultural Heritage: The poem introduces learners to African American cultural traditions, specifically the buck-and-wing dance, fostering an appreciation for historical art forms.
• Imagery and Sound: The poem’s use of vivid imagery and auditory descriptions helps students understand how poets create atmosphere and emotion through language.
• Themes of Resilience and Memory: The poem teaches about endurance through hardship, the importance of remembering history, and the role of art in preserving identity.
• Empathy and Observation: The speaker’s careful listening and respect for their mother’s whistling encourage empathy and mindfulness in everyday life.

In practical terms, students can apply these lessons in various ways:

• Creative Expression: Inspired by the poem, students might explore their own family traditions or create art that reflects their heritage.
• History and Social Studies: The poem can serve as a starting point for discussions about African American history, slavery, and cultural evolution.
• Music and Dance: Teachers can introduce the buck-and-wing dance or similar traditional dances to connect literature with performing arts.
• Language Skills: Analyzing the poem’s structure and vocabulary helps improve literary analysis and critical thinking.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What is the significance of the "Buckdancer’s Choice" in the poem?
2. How does the speaker describe their mother’s whistling?
3. What images does the poem evoke about the past and cultural tradition?
4. Why does the speaker creep close to the wall and listen quietly?
5. What themes of life and death are present in the poem?
6. Who were the "classic buck-and-wing men," and why are they important?
7. How does the poem portray the relationship between music and memory?
8. What emotions does the poem evoke about aging and illness?
9. How does the poem connect the personal experience of the speaker with broader cultural history?
10. What can children learn from this poem about resilience and creativity?

Answer Key

1. The "Buckdancer’s Choice" is a traditional song representing a rich cultural heritage and the endurance of African American dance and music traditions.
2. The mother’s whistling is described as complex, layered, and full of variations, like a gift of tongues, evoking deep emotional and cultural resonance.
3. The poem evokes images of a one-man band, an ex-slave dancer, and traveling minstrel shows, symbolizing freedom, resilience, and fading traditions.
4. The speaker listens quietly and close to the wall to fully experience the subtle changes and depth in the mother’s whistling, showing reverence and attentiveness.
5. The poem explores themes of mortality, the struggle against death, and the persistence of life through art and memory.
6. The "classic buck-and-wing men" were performers of a traditional dance style, important as cultural bearers whose art is disappearing.
7. Music in the poem serves as a vessel for memory, connecting past generations to the present and preserving cultural identity.
8. The poem evokes tenderness, sadness, and admiration for the mother’s strength despite illness.
9. The poem links the speaker’s personal experience with the broader history of African American culture and the legacy of slavery.
10. Children learn about resilience, the power of creativity, and the importance of honoring and preserving cultural traditions.

This poem offers rich material for exploring cultural history, literary techniques, and human emotions, making it a valuable resource for education and personal reflection.