Summary of Five Haikus by Richard Wright

Read the following summary of the poem "Five Haikus" by Richard Wright. The poem Five Haikus is a typical poem and thus requires to be read imagining the concept.

                  Five Haikus

                    - Richard Wright

1. About the poet Richard Wright

The poet of Five Haikus is Richard Wright (1908 -1960). He was one of the early spokesmen for black Americans. He was engaged in poetry as well as story writing. 

He left America because he found that he could no longer tolerate (सहनु) the racism (जातिवाद) and moved to France. He was first introduced to Japanese form of poetry (haiku) by a young South African who loved haiku. Then, Richard also got engaged in writing haikus. He used to compose haikus in bed, cafes, in restaurants, and everywhere.

2. About the poem Five Haikus

The poem is written in unique form called Haiku. Haiku is an unrhymed Japanese poetic form that consists of 17 syllables arranged in three lines containing five , seven, and five syllables respectively, originated from japan .This type of poem expresses employing the fewest possible words.

3. Things to know before reading the poem 

“I” refers to the poet himself.

 

“Red sinking autumn sun” refers to American communist party.

 

Theme of Five Haikus

  We should always chase our goal and never give up otherwise we will end up regretting.

 

Summary of Five Haikus in one sentence

  Richard wright is expressing about his life, how black Americans were treated and what kind of steps he took to get treated well.

 Summary of Five Haikus detail

 First Haiku: The first five syllables expresses that he (Richard Wright) lacks his identity. Richard Wright was a communist and relied on American Communist Party to eradicate (उन्मूलन) racism but he was disappointed (निराश) by them (American communist party). The reason to include autumn season is that in autumn season the leaves changes color and relating. From the expression, he expresses that the American communist party betrayed (धोखा दिनु) him by going against him and took his identity.

 Second Haiku: In second haiku poet expresses that, he (Richard Wright) was a communist and he encouraged Black Americans (spring) to claim the rights they deserve (to soak violet beds).

  Third Haiku: In third Haiku, he( Richard wright) expresses that  black south Americans have claimed their rights but in uncomfortable situation (with a twitching nose). They are hardly able to enjoy their rights (dog reads a telegram). Also, they are kept in a difficult situation (on a wet tree trunk)

 Fourth Haiku: In fourth haiku he expresses that, by spreading awareness (जागरूकता) among the black Americans (burning the autumn leaves) he wants to collect more people and make the group bigger and bigger.

 Fifth Haiku: In fifth haiku, he (Richard Wright) spends his sleepless night regretting about the things that he could have done which he never had and yearning to be a powerful person (politically) that he never was.