Conflicts and Sources of Conflicts in "Freedom Song"
1. Conflict between the enslaved people and their oppressors:
- The poem expresses the deep-seated resentment and struggle of enslaved people against their masters.
- The lyrics, "We have been 'bought and sold,' our spirits are crushed," highlight the dehumanizing and oppressive conditions they endure.
2. Conflict between desire for freedom and the reality of enslavement:
- The poem voices the longing for liberation and the desire to escape their bondage.
- However, the realistic portrayal of their circumstances, "No land of our own, just cotton and corn," acknowledges the harsh reality of their oppression.
3. Conflict between hope and despair:
- The poem oscillates between moments of hope and despair.
- Passages like, "We'll march together, a freedom band," reflect a sense of solidarity and optimism.
- Yet, lines such as, "Maybe our children will see a new day," convey a lingering hopelessness.
4. Conflict between physical and spiritual oppression:
- While enslaved physically, the poem suggests that their spirits remain unbroken: "our hearts are filled with the freedom song."
- The lyrics, "We'll not be turned around, we'll keep on marching on," convey a determination to resist despite their circumstances.
5. Conflict between the present and the future:
- The poem acknowledges the struggles of the present while envisioning a brighter future.
- Lines like, "We'll build a new land, where we'll be free," express a desire to create a society free from oppression.
6. Conflict between personal and collective experience:
- While the poem expresses the experiences of enslaved people as a collective, it also acknowledges the individual struggles they face.
- The lyrics, "We'll sing a freedom song, each and every one," captures the universal desire for liberation while recognizing the significance of personal voices.