A Literary Analysis Of Baltimore From 'Incident'

1. The last stanza showcases how his memories of Baltimore from when he was eight were ruined by this “incident.” The speaker states that “from May until December,” seven months of experiencing the city of Baltimore the only memory he has left is the “incident’ of racism. This highlights how the bad memories always out way the good memories, for this memory has haunted the speaker all the way into adulthood. Likewise, this suggests how hurtful racism is, for the speaker cannot forget about this single act of hate that happened to him when he was eight, for it too away his innocence, causing him to face the harsh realities of society. Furthermore, the title of the poem “Incident” carries a negative connotation, for the word incident showcases