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Performance Analysis Worksheet- Abdul Mannan.pdf

The poem 'I Can't Breathe' addresses systemic racial injustice, police violence, and the struggle for equality, evoking strong emotions of anger, sadness, and frustration. It employs repetition, varied pacing, and expressive body language to enhance its emotional impact and urgency, particularly through the recurring phrase 'I can't breathe.' The poet's delivery emphasizes the need for change and challenges the audience to recognize and act against racial inequality.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
4 views4 pages

Performance Analysis Worksheet- Abdul Mannan.pdf

The poem 'I Can't Breathe' addresses systemic racial injustice, police violence, and the struggle for equality, evoking strong emotions of anger, sadness, and frustration. It employs repetition, varied pacing, and expressive body language to enhance its emotional impact and urgency, particularly through the recurring phrase 'I can't breathe.' The poet's delivery emphasizes the need for change and challenges the audience to recognize and act against racial inequality.

Uploaded by

m4xnnn
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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“I CAN’T BREATHE”

NOT IDENTIFIED
THE POEM TACKLES THE ISSUES OF SYSTEMIC RACIAL INJUSTICE,
POLICE VIOLENCE, AND THE ONGOING STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY.

THE POEM ELICITS RESPONSES OF ANGER, SADNESS, AND FRUSTRATION. IT UNDERSCORES


THE URGENT NEED FOR CHANGE, JUSTICE, AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE PAIN INFLICTED
BY RACISM.

The poet articulates a blend of anger, sadness, and hope. Phrases such
as “I can’t breathe” encapsulate the struggle and urgency, evoking a
sense of frustration regarding the persistent lack of progress.

The pacing varies, incorporating both slow, heavy segments


and quicker, more urgent passages. This variability
enhances the emotional impact, particularly in discussions of
violence and injustice, as shifts in rhythm amplify feelings of
tension and subsequent release.
The poet likely employs strong, intentional gestures to convey anger
and frustration—such as clenched fists or sweeping hand
movements. These physical expressions spotlight crucial moments,
especially when addressing themes of violence or systemic
oppression.

The poet's facial expressions probably transition


from serious and intense to sorrowful and imploring.
This visual shift reflects the emotional dynamics
throughout the poem, particularly in poignant lines
like “Will anyone fight for me?” which evoke a sense
of vulnerability.

The poet amplifies their voice to convey anger or urge


for change ("Will anyone stand up for me?") and tones
it down during more serious, introspective moments
("Hoping for change since the pain softens you"). This
fluctuation in volume intensifies the emotional
resonance.

Repeating this phrase intensifies the feeling of


The phrase "I can't breathe" is repeated multiple times throughout the poem. urgency, reinforcing the speaker's suffocating pain
and highlighting the theme of oppression.

The repetition of consonant sounds adds rhythm to


"Stripped of bloodlines, whipped and confined." the poem, enhancing its musicality and making the
lines more impactful and memorable.

This metaphor effectively portrays the lasting,


intergenerational effects of racism, illustrating the
"Generations and generations of pain, fear, and anxiety."
deep, ongoing emotional toll.

The vivid imagery helps the audience visualize the


"Stripped of bloodlines, whipped and confined." violence and suffering being described, bringing the
emotional weight of the oppression to life.

These phrases challenge the audience to recognize their


"Will anyone fight for me?" and
biases and take action against racial inequality, calling for
"Do not say you do not see color / When you see us, see us." active participation in social justice.
1) The most powerful technique was the use of repetition. The recurring line “I
can’t breathe” not only emphasizes the speaker’s pain but also symbolizes the
broader suffering caused by systemic oppression. This repetition engages the
audience emotionally and reinforces the urgency of the message.

2) The spoken delivery amplified the emotional depth of the poem. The variations
in tone, rhythm, and body language helped convey the intensity of the message,
making it far more impactful than if it were simply read as text. While the written
version still carries power, the performance adds a sense of immediacy and
urgency that enhances its effectiveness.

3) I would focus on using repetition for emphasis, particularly in conveying key


ideas. Body language and gestures would be important to underline the
emotional gravity of the words, and pacing would allow me to control the flow of
the message—pausing during key moments to give the audience time to reflect.

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