Quotation: Symbolism of Martin
Luther King Jr’s quote, serves as a
foundation for the audience’s
comprehension of the phenomena of
riots from the ‘black person’
perspective
Imagery: The description of
John’s choice of clothing and
cars, depicts his image as an
affluent figure.
experience
Enjambment: The isolated
verse consists of one line
that illustrates the vision the
has sundered Cabot. Serving
as a moment of reckoning
that he cannot understand
and therefore fears.
experince
Cabot compares them to other
Black people he has
encountered before, like the
“dainty” ones from Winnetka,
a village in Chicago that is
predominantly White and
wealthy.
Figurative language asserts
that they will not be stopped
by anyone, let alone Cabot, as
they pour towards him
Translates from French to
“That’s so rude!”
As they get closer, he starts
to become physically
The “It” is initially just
distressed, and the speaker
another racist attempt to
describes how his skin
dehumanise Black
starts to itch
people but near the end
of the fourth stanza, the
“It” becomes
an ambiguous and
ethereal force.
Riot by Gwendolyn Brooks
A riot is the language of the unheard.
—Martin Luther King
Imagery: Insinuation of ‘John
Cadot’s’ features. His golden hair
John Cabot, out of Wilma, once a Wycliffe,
signifies he is blonde and white.
all whitebluerose below his golden hair,
The diction of ‘golden’ suggests
wrapped richly in right linen and right wool,
John possesses an inflated ego or
is nourished with the regal intent.
almost forgot his Jaguar and Lake Bluff;
almost forgot Grandtully (which is The
Best Thing That Ever Happened To Scotch); almost Listing: This listing of his
possessions and tastes, of
forgot the sculpture at the Richard Gray expensive cars, fine scotches
and decadent foods, portrays
his wealth. Adding emphasis
and Distelheim; the kidney pie at Maxim’s,
to his disconnection to that of
an African American’s world.
the Grenadine de Boeuf at Maison Henri.
Because the Negroes were coming down the street.
Cabot is rather disgusted
Because the Poor were sweaty and unpretty by their appearance,
(not like Two Dainty Negroes in Winnetka) Utilises diction referring to
them as having ranks, to
and they were coming toward him in rough ranks. militarise them
In seas. In windsweep. They were black and loud.
Continues from Cabot’s
And not detainable. And not discreet. point of view and uses racist
diction to define his fears.
The “nourished white” is a
Gross. Gross. “Que tu es grossier!” John Cabot reference to his skin colour
and race, which Cabot
itched instantly beneath the nourished white. perceives as a sign of his
superiority.
that told his story of glory to the world.
Depiction of his self-
righteousness and
“Don’t let It touch me! the blackness! Lord!” he whispered
affirmed prejudice
beliefs when he issues
a racist prayer.
 to any handy angel in the sky.

But, in a thrilling announcement, on It drove

and breathed on him: and touched him. In that breath

“It drove and breathed on
the fume of pig foot, chitterling and cheap chili,
him: and touched him”
Stanza’s final lines creates a
mocking him through
malign, mocked John. And, in terrific touch, old parallel or emotion between
a catalogue of olfactory and
the desperation of Cabot (a
gustatory imagery that recalls
averted doubt jerked forward decently, man frightfully clinging to his
Cabot’s own ruminations in
delusions of grandeur and
the first stanza.
cried, “Cabot! John! You are a desperate man, piety) and the desperation of
the Black rioters.
and the desperate die expensively today.”

Utilises imagery, although

exceptionally vehement, is John Cabot went down in the smoke and fire
ambiguous about the His profound narcissism is on
circumstance of his death. and broken glass and blood, and he cried “Lord! par with his racist perceptions,
and he goes to his grave,
continuing to patronise and
Forgive these nigguhs that know not what they do.”
infantilise the oppression
faced by Black Americans.

B) Short answer responses

i) What human experience (s) is evoked throughout your chosen text? (2 marks-
10 lines)
Riot by Gwendolyn Brooks is a poem that accentuates the inconsistencies that exists between
the privileged and desolated individuals. The human experience of religious prejudice and
marginalisation is evident through the characterisation of the rioters confined by John’s
derogatory description. John values the rioter’s distinctive individuality by classifying them
as “blackness” whilst simultaneously referring to them as “it”. The dehumanisation of the
rioters based upon their existence epitomises the composer’s objection in acknowledging
their respective identities and experiences. Hence, the paradigm of prejudicial power within
the overarching inconsistency of racial dimensions becomes a prevalent catalyst for the
negative human experience challenging, both individuality and belonging. Additionally,
Brooks’ internalisation of conflict, involuntarily enables the audience to conceptualise, that a
divergence in race is present. This is underpinned by the inconsistency of cultural identity and
desire for acceptance. The ideology is interwoven within societal dynamics through
individual responses and is exemplified by the presence of rioters within the poem.
Paradoxically as victims or allies in the confrontation against racial bigotry, the societal
dynamic of ‘righteousness’ is pivotal within human experiences. Thus, it often leads to
advocacy and activism as part of a broader societal effort to contest and modulate the ever-
omnipresent anomaly of discriminatory attitudes and ideologies.

ii) How does the composer communicate this/these ideas (4 marks- 20 lines)
When it says how, highlight the techniques, 2 techniques 2 explanations.

The intricate experience of racial prejudice is effectively conveyed within the poem, where
Brooks adeptly employs a methodical and multifaceted approach, which is unravelled
through the exploration of paradigms and a synthesis of literary techniques. Brooks skilfully
employs visual imagery of African ethnicity as ‘black and loud;’ in turn juxtaposing
characters and settings to underscore the entrenched inconsistencies of racial and social
disparities. This is exemplified through the protagonist John Cabot, a symbol of white
privilege and the amassing of wealth. Through Brook's strategic utilisation of symbolic
representation via physical attributes, Cabot’s depiction of “golden hair" serves as dual
symbolism; his "golden hair" encapsulates his egocentric nature and socioeconomic privilege,
in contrast to the stark imagery of the African Americans as “poor, sweaty and unpretty.”
Brook’s confrontation of the rioters to Cadot, accentuates the evident chasm between life and
its privilege and struggles. The visual delineation of the paradoxical relationship betwixt of
wealth and impoverishment, functions as a potent and visceral representation of racial and
social inequity. Embedded within Cabot's derogatory language, Brook's proficient
manipulation of 'diction' plays a pivotal role in unveiling the dehumanising facets of racial
prejudice. Cabot's references to the rioters as "blackness" and "it," are expressions of
inhumanity that collectively strip them of their individuality and humanity. The derogation
exemplifies the insidious practices of reducing a diverse community to a monolithic and
degenerated "other." Brooks confronts the audience with the harsh reality that ethnic bias
negates and stifles individual narratives and experiences. The deliberate diction of language ,
stimulates and triggers empathetic contemplation of society's misrepresentation of cultural
backgrounds. Brooks intensifies the expression of racial prejudice by employing militaristic
language and figurative expressions in the poem, effectively accentuating the African
community's resistance to Cabot's deeply entrenched biases. The intentional incorporation of
the term 'ranks' in the diction invokes military conduct, subtly aligning the rioters as a
cohesive, organised force protesting against their racial prejudice. The portrayal of ‘ranks’
skilfully underscores the community's unyielding pursuit of justice and equality, depicting the
discriminated, as a resilient force actively engaged in challenging oppressive forces;
regardless of whether such an upheaval, violates societal norms to emerge as, frankly, an
anomaly. This choice serves to emphasise not just their unification, but also their strategic
determination in the face of adversity. Through indirectly militarising the rioters, Brooks
intricately communicates her nuanced, conceptual experience of resistance, against ethnic
injustice. By weaving these elements together, Brooks proficiently crafts a rich tapestry of
imagery, diction, and figurative language, skilfully guiding the audience through the complex
exploration of the profound implications of racial prejudice. In addition to the
inconsistencies, paradoxes and anomalies that underpin it.

iii) What impact does the use of a specific form /style have on audience response to the text?
(4 marks- 20 lines)
Within ‘Riot,’ the 5-stanza poem, Gwendolyn Brooks manipulates the poem’s structural and
stylistic essence to effectively shape the perceptions and responses of the audience. Brooks'
sophisticated application of stylistic elements features is demonstrated through her
implementation of visual presentation, structural form and rhythm, collectively intertwining
to enrich her poetry. Her extensive utilisation of line and stanza breaks visually conveys the
chaotic aspect of a riot and its tumultuous nature. "In seas. In windsweep. They were black
and loud. And not detainable. And not discreet." The evident employment of enjambment and
truncated lines are used to create a visual fracturing, breaking concepts apart, akin to the
abrupt waves in a tumultuous sea, serve as a powerful mirror reflecting the chaotic urgency of
a riot. Brooks' deliberate fragmentation becomes a potent visual metaphor, immersing the
audience within the turbulent atmosphere portrayed, ultimately engaging the audience in a
visceral experience within the events depicted. Furthermore, Brooks' choice of free verse
audaciously defies conventional rhyme schemes and metres. "Gross. Gross. 'Que tu es
grossier!' John Cabot itched instantly beneath the nourished white that told his story of glory
to the World." The departure of free verse predominantly mirrors the disorder within the riot,
compelling readers to confront the raw, unfiltered nature of the events. Her deviation from
poetic conventions serves as a bold invitation, beckoning the audience to establish a more
intimate, unfiltered connection within the disruptive nature of the subject matter. Brooks
orchestrates an irregular rhythm that mirrors the chaotic energy of social upheavals,
generating palpable tension and urgency. This immersive variation is evident in lines, "And,
in a thrilling announcement, It drove, … and breathed on him, … and touched him," Brooks’
dynamic rhythm and pacing, enjambment, and abrupt stops convey the clamorous essence of
a riot with precision, ultimately culminating to produce a myriad of intimate experiences.
Brooks' proficient integration of visual, structural, and rhythmic elements in "Riot" extends
beyond traditional poetry, enriching the audience's connection and delivering a powerful
portrayal of the urgency and chaos associated with social upheaval.