The Ballad Of Rudolph Reed

“The Ballad of Rudolph Reed” by Gwendolyn Brooks:
Comprehension Questions

“The Ballad of Rudolph Reed” follows the journey of a black man and his family as they move into an all white neighborhood; being the first and only colored family in the community. Rudolph Reed desired improvement of his family’s environment, and decided it was best to move into a more sustainable future in their own home. Despite his only intention being to live a more fruitful life, the white neighbors attempt in creating an uncomfortable and unsafe environment for the family, in hopes of deterring them from remaining in the community. Even though his home held great significance, when the neighbors damaged the property it didn’t enrage him as much as when his daughter was injured. His anger blinded him, and he began a bloody rampage against his white neighbors; resulting in his murder in consequence to an uncompromised fight between races. The poem dramatizes the blatant discrimination and lack of acceptance that was demonstrated towards colored people.

I think Brooks gave Reed the description of “oaken” because he was a strong man that stood proud and was not easily swayed or knocked down, holding similarities of a sturdy oak tree that has withstood the test of time.

There are four lines in each stanza.

The rhyme scheme in the first stanza is ABCB, because the second and fourth lines rhyme.

I think Brooks changed the rhyme scheme in this stanza for dramatic effect to enhance the first negative turn point which led to Rudolph’s demise.

Personification is displayed in the example, “may never hear the plaster stir as if in pain”. This literary element gives the human trait of pain to the inanimate object of plaster, while it deteriorates. It further depicts the poor living conditions in the Reed family’s previous house.

Simile use is evident in the example, “falling like fat rain”. This describes the mere size of the cockroaches, and the severe disgust and filth of Rudolph’s previous housing arrangement. Another example is, “he ran like a mad thing”. This further portrays how blinded by rage Rudolph was as he sought revenge against his white neighbors; as if he was no longer a human being, but a “mad thing”. A third example is, “big as two fists”. This describes the significant size of the rock used to damage the home.

An example of alliteration found in the poem is, “beastly butcher”. This emphasizes the intimidating size of the knife as a reflection of the anger Rudolph felt towards his white neighbors after his daughter was injured. A second example is, “steady stare”. This describes the length of the stare, so the reader knows it was not a quick glance and it makes one think of the feelings that both people must have been having during this stare. The third example of an alliteration is “beautiful banistered” when describing the stairs in the new home. The banister is a permanent, central fixture of a home, which the Reeds would view as beautiful as they have never experienced this before.

When I finished the poem, I found it to be incredibly harsh and dramatic when describing the racist nature of Reed’s neighbors. I was disappointed and saddened that Rudolph ended up dying during a time that he should be enjoying the new home that he provided for his three children and wife, which they worked so hard for. I do not believe that anyone deserved to die, including the neighbors, despite their violence. The poem followed Rudolph’s heroic struggles, and unfortunate fate, while accentuating the disgusting actions led out of hatred and driven by racism.