"We Real Cool" Analysis

Upon first reading Gwendolyn Brooks's "We Real Cool," it seemed a pretty simple poem. Short, straight to the point sentences, much like William Carlos Williams's "This Is Just To Say." Upon further analysis and research, Brook's poem had a more in depth purpose. Obviously, the poem is about the lives of these young Pool Players and their rebel lifestyle. In more depth, the short sentences of the poem represent the short lives of Pool Players, their short lives in turn are due to their rebellious lifestyle. For example, the Pool Players "lurk late" implying they get into trouble and fights, and they "thin gin" whether it's selling watered down gin or consuming gin in a large amount. The short sentences also imply the simplicity of the Pool Player's lifestyles. The Pool Players drink, get in trouble, and fool around with women; they do not think about their future nor do they think about the consequences of their actions. Pool Players take life as it comes as them: they are born, they live, and they "Die soon.” Life is meant to be fun according to the Pool Players and so they stress living in the moment and avoiding serious issues; the most important thing to them is their image: they are “real cool.”

The reason for Brook writing this poem is not absolutely clear but it could be to show the contrast between the lives of most working people and the Pool Players. Working people take life too seriously while Pool Players don’t take life serious enough. Working people worry about bills, food, family, and work while the Pool Players only have to worry about staying cool and enjoying the short life they believe they are given. Brook may be trying to bring to light that there needs to be a steady balance of both fun and seriousness in life. If life is taken too serious, it may seem like life lasts too long due to the lack of happiness and freedom, while on the other hand, too much fun makes life very dangerous and short.