The Negro Speaks of Rivers : Summary

Summary

In this poem, the speaker represents all African-American people. He says that he has known rivers. The rivers are as ancient as the world itself. The rivers are even older than human civilization. It means that the speaker is a part of the history of human civilization. The entire black African-American race is a part of the history of human civilization.

The speaker compares the depth of his soul to the depth of these ancient rivers. It shows that his spirit, and the spirit of the black race, has become wise and strong through long experience and history.

Then the speaker remembers four great rivers — the Euphrates, the Congo, the Nile, and the Mississippi. Each of these rivers represents a different time and place in the history of Black people. He says he bathed in the Euphrates “when dawns were young.” This means that black people were there even in the very early days of human civilization on the banks of the Euphrates. He built his hut beside the Congo River in Africa, and its peaceful sound helped him sleep. He also says he saw the Nile and helped to build the pyramids on its shore. This connects Black people with the greatness and intelligence of ancient Egypt.

Then the poem moves to America. The speaker says he heard the Mississippi River sing when Abraham Lincoln traveled to New Orleans. This refers to the time before the American Civil War, when slavery still existed. The river turning “golden in the sunset” symbolizes hope, freedom, and a new future for Black people after slavery ended.

The speaker is familiar with a lot of rivers, ancient and dark. In the end, the speaker repeats, “My soul has grown deep like the rivers.” This shows his pride, strength, and wisdom that come from the long history of Black people.

The poem means that Black people have a long and rich history that goes back to the beginning of human civilization. The rivers stand for the old history of black people, their pride, and their struggle.