Bean Eaters by Gwendolyn Brooks
Gwendolyn Brooks was a black female poet who inspired and touched many people who read her poetry. ... She grew up in Chicago, Illinois where her mother, Keziah Corine Wims, worked as a schoolteacher and her father, David Anderson Brooks, worked as a janitor. ... Being a janitor wasn’t and still isn’t considered a highly skilled job, but Brooks was still proud of her father’s self-sacrifice. Growing up in the south side of Chicago gave Brooks an insight to the social poverty that existed in this world. ... Gwendolyn Brooks writes about racism, the lives of blacks, and her love for all people no matter what race or class they are. ... Brooks uses ordinary speech to create effective poetry. ... Brooks was the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize. ... Gwendolyn Brooks poem, “The Bean Eaters” shows that old age can be a dark time but remembering good times from the past can keep some people going. ... For example, “Two who are mostly good Two who have lived their day, But keep on putting on their clothes And putting things away” (Brooks lines 5-8).