Jump Back, Paul

Experience the breadth and depth of Paul Laurence Dunbars poetryand learn how it reflects his singular life as a late-nineteenth-century black man.Did you know that Paul Laurence Dunbar originated such famous lines as 'I know why the caged bird sings' and 'We wear the mask that grins and lies'? From his childhood in poverty and his early promise as a poet through his struggles to find acceptance as a writer and his tumultuous romance with his wife, to his immense fame and his untimely death, Dunbars story is one of triumph and tragedy. But his legacy remains in his much-beloved poetrytold in both Standard English and in dialectwhich continues to delight and inspire readers today. More than two dozen of Dunbars poems are woven throughout this volume, illuminating the phases of his life and serving as examples of dialect, imagery, and tone. Narrating in a voice full of admiration and respect, Sally Derby introduces Paul Laurence Dunbars life and poetry to listeners young and old.