The Power of Poetry in Bronx Masquerade

 

Caroline Kunz
Dr. Ellis 
EN 499 
7 February 2024 

The Power of Poetry in Bronx Masquerade 

    Over the course of Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes, I found it poignant to witness the ways in which each character finds respite in poetry over the course of the school year. As someone who has been prevalently impacted by poetry since coming to college, the relationship with this form of writing is something that I wish I had developed sooner in life, like the students in this book. Poetry is healing and telling, allowing us to work through personal issues, traumas, and questions that we might otherwise be too afraid to address. 
    This idea is seen in countless places throughout the book, especially in the final third, as the students begin to see the impacts of poetry play out in their lives. For instance, poetry aids Janelle in gaining a sense of confidence and self-worth, ultimately enabling her to progress in overcoming her struggles with body image. As she reads her final poem, she notes, “everybody really listened to what I had to say…they all stared at me like I was someone special. And nobody cared about the size of my body. Not even me” (Grimes 141). Within these lines, Janelle finds empowerment in her words, her insights, and her mind. She begins to place less of her value as a person on her physical appearance, but on her merits and abilities. It is because of her newfound devotion to poetry that she is able to work through her insecurities, and find this sense of belief in herself. 
    Not only does each student notice these changes within themselves, but rather, they see immense growth within their classmates. As the students “release” their inner emotions and begin to “relate to one another,” they gain a deeper understanding of one another, ultimately admiring their peers’ personal growth and achievements right along with them. For example, as Tyrone listens to Lupe perform a poem about her fresh start, he comments, “something’s different about Lupe’s voice…it’s like there’s steel running through it now…I don’t catch her staring off the way I used to. She’s always looking straight up now, paying attention to whatever the teacher is saying, like she’s afraid to miss a word” (151). Here, Tyrone notes Lupe’s growth, not only as a student, but as a poet. As she gains confidence in her abilities to learn and succeed in the classroom, she gains confidence in her performance skills, evident in the “steel” running through her voice as she reads (151). She embodies the notion that poetry can help us to work through our most difficult challenges, and provide an outlet of reflection, comfort, and hope when we need it most.

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