Poem Analysis

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New York University

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How does an ekphrastic poem expand the meaning of an image?
Introduction
In poetry, an ekphrastic poem is a profound explanation of a piece of art. Via the creative
act of recounting and reflecting on the “action” of an artwork, the poet can intensify and extend the
implication of the artwork. Historically, the phrase ekphrastic is coined from a Greek inference for
‘description.’ The antique ekphrastic poetries were intense explanations of fictional or real scenes.
In their respective ekphrastic poems, Danez Smith and Ada Limon expand the meaning of images
in explaining different societal issues. In Smith’s “Dinosaurs in the Hood,” the poet uses imagery
to create a distinct image and perception of the Black community away from the norm, portraying
them as emotional people who regularly cause trouble. In Limon’s “The Mirror and the Ribbon,"
the poet sought to bring out an image of what transpires to the self when people let go of the
illusion of ego and embrace connectedness instead of embracing otherness.
The meaning of an image in Dinosaurs in the Hood by Danez Smith
In “Dinosaurs in the Hood," Smith develops the Black community's image as a lowincome class. This means that the poet creates a different image and discernment of the Black
community outside the norm, depicting them as emotional persons who regularly cause distress. At
the onset, the author creates the image of a young African American person playing with a toy

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dinosaur. According to Smith, "There should be a scene where a little black boy is playing with a
toy dinosaur on the bus….because there has to be a T. Rex" (Lines 3-4). Throughout the poem,
the author focuses less on the boy's color and more on his neighborhood's views and actions
toward him. This indicates that the poem focuses on the need to have minority groups stick out
for themselves and remain victorious amid the dawn of hardships. Smith successfully shows how
African Americans are perceived as a violent and low-income community.
In “Dinosaurs in the Hood,” Danez considers his reactions to how the media portrays the
Black Community as ordinary people. Here, the poet is weary of the film industry's portrayal of
the low-income class. Unlike the film directors who capitalize on the negative image of African
Americans, Smith is dedicated to empowering members of the Black community and other
minority groups. According to the author, “I do not want any racist shit…..This movie is about a
neighborhood of royal folks" (Lines 13-15). The poet is going against what has been already
depicted by the film industry and the media at large about minority groups. He is determined to
ensure that his film gives these people hope to face life with confidence. Yet again, the poet
deems successful in bashing the ill-portrayal of t...


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