Final Reflection

The Rose that Grew from Concrete answered several of my questions on both Tupac’s life and death.  Moreover, it gave me the key to success: following my dreams.

Tupac Shakur’s book answered a question I had about his life.  First of all, I had always wanted to know the role of Mr. Shakur’s mother in his life.  I already understood that he loved her, due to me knowing the song Dear Mama by heart, but I really wanted to find out if he cared for his mother unconditionally, or if he adored her for the care that she gave to him.  I found out that Mr. Shakur was enamored of her because of the risks she took and love she showed him when Tupac writes, “Can u see the pride in the Pantha / as she nurtures her young all alone” (126).

The Rose that Grew from Concrete also answered my questions I had about Tupac Shakur’s death.  I wanted to know if Tupac actually foresaw his death, due to his theorized involvement in the Illuminati.   After reading the book, I concluded that because Tupac was disobeying the Illuminati, he recognized that his death was near.  For example, he shows his recognition of his death when he writes, “But I’ve decided 2 follow my heart and abandon my mind / and if there be pain I know that at least I gave my all” (149).  This quote shows that he knows his death is near, so he is saying that he might as well do what is right, which is to go against the Illuminati, and if he does not succeed then he hopes that his death is quick and not excruciating.

Above:  Some of Tupac Shakur's most inspirational words

Although this book answered a couple of my burning questions, the most vital thing I learned from reading The Rose that Grew from Concrete was that if I follow my dreams, I will have a high probability of becoming successful in life.  This lesson is shown through the plot and the content of the book.  When I wrote the connections blog, this idea slowly grew because Tupac and Oprah’s methods of accomplishment seemed to be feasible for me to do if I follow my dreams.   I kept pondering more and more about what I wanted to do in life so I could start chasing my ambitions at an early age.  Even though I did not come up with a specific goal, I have an idea of my profession and am currently talking to my parents about obtaining it. 

Connections

Oprah Winfrey Biography: Life and Career Link

Oprah Winfrey’s high grossing show Oprah has aired in more than 140 countries in the entire world.  Tupac Amaru Shakur has sold over 80 million albums as of 2012.  It is very hard to believe that both of these public figures came from not only poor, but also dangerous backgrounds.   Several connections can be made between The Rose that Grew from Concrete and Oprah Winfrey Biography: Life and Career with both the video’s literal and figurative meanings.

            Tupac’s book and Oprah’s video-biography are related literally because both of the superstars started from small beginnings and then went big.  As explained in the video, Oprah was raised by her poor grandmother on a farm and later moved frequently to keep up with her mother’s repeatedly changing jobs.  This is akin to how Tupac was raised by his Black Panther mother in Harlem who also moved often.  Oprah ended up being molested twice at a young age due to her mother never being home, similar to how Tupac was caught up in gang activity due to his mother not always being able to watch over him.  However, Oprah and Tupac never gave up on their dreams of becoming successful.  Oprah became a news reporter and then received a television show, similar to how Tupac began his career as a roadie and backup singer, but later became known to the public through his musical talent learned from his previous jobs.

            Oprah’s video is similar to the book in a figurative way because both Tupac and Oprah’s lives can be perceived as metaphors.  Both of these celebrities’ lives represent the steps that can be taken in order to overcome a deprived childhood.  For instance, the states that much of Oprah’s childhood was spent in poverty, just like Tupac Shakur.  Nevertheless, these two upcoming legends slowly worked their way up to success.  The video states that Oprah became more and more famous as a news reporter and soon earned a show because of her outstanding work in the news department.  This is just like how Tupac was at first a hype man for unheard-of rap groups, but climbed his way into stardom to become a celebrity.  Oprah’s video and Tupac’s book both show that by putting the work in and being patient, one can overcome any obstacles in their paths. 

Title Significance

The Rose that Grew from Concrete’s title is very meaningful.  Not only does it relate to the content, but it also is a metaphor for the plot of this book.  Several examples from the text can be shown to portray how the title of this book is relevant to its content and storyline.

Above:  A canvas painting inspired by the poem The Rose that Grew from Concrete

This memoir’s title is significant because it is a metaphor of the book’s plot.  The implied storyline of The Rose that Grew from Concrete is about how Tupac rose from his hazardous surroundings by following his ambitions and became successful in the rap industry.  Mr. Shakur made an exceptional effort to portray this plot through his book’s title.  For example, the rose in the title represents Tupac as a person and the concrete signifies the unforgiving streets of Marin City. Tupac is trying to state that he surmounted his dangerous environment by following his dreams, which allowed him to rise to fame, similar to how the flower grew out of the cold and non-nurturing concrete by breathing air, and as a result, bloomed.

            The Rose that Grew from Concrete’s title is significant because it relates to the content found inside of it.  For example, the very first poem in Tupac’s book is called “The Rose that Grew from Concrete” (2).  Because poem basically summarizes the plot of the book, Tupac decided to arrange it as the very first poem.  This poem talks about how the rose was able to grow out of the concrete by following its dreams, just like the meaning of the metaphorical title of this memoir.

Emotional Reaction

Above:  Tupac Shakur and his mother Afeni Shakur posing together for a picture

Tupac Amaru Shakur had cared about many people in his lifetime.  However, he had never loved anyone more than his own mother:  Afeni Shakur.  Tupac Shakur showed his affection for her when he wrote and published the hit song Dear Mama.  When his mother passed away, Mr. Shakur underwent a long period of suffering, depression, and even incompetence.  To soothe his pain, in The Rose that Grew from Concrete, he decided to write the tear-wrenching poem When Ure Hero Falls.  In my opinion, this is Mr. Shakur’s most sincerely written poem in the entire book.  In this piece, Tupac seems to be unsure of what to do next in his life now that his mother is no longer there to advise him.  Tupac Shakur shows the confusion and depression he was going through at the time through his diction, which made me feel the emotion of pity.

            Shakur’s poem made me feel sympathy towards him because his word choice emits his disorientation and despair.  For instance, the words he chose to use in the second verse of the poem portrays a very strong feeling of depression:  “When your hero falls from grace / all fairy tales R uncovered” (118).  Mr. Shakur states that he uncovered fairy tales, rather than saying that he realized the truth.  Also, Shakur emphasizes his confusion when he expresses, “When ure Hero falls so Do the stars” (118).  In this line, Mr. Shakur writes that the stars fall when his hero dies, instead of just blandly saying that he is confused.

Passage Analysis

“WHAT OF FAME?

everyone knows ure Face

The world screams ure name

Never again R u Alone” (21).

Above: Tupac Shakur's original non-typed poem What of Fame.

In the poem What Of Fame, Tupac Shakur shows that he understands the fine print of fame.  Literally, Mr. Shakur is trying to state that it is enjoyable to be known by all, but once one becomes eminent, they will never have privacy ever again.  

This poem foreshadows the rest of the book.  This is because it indicates that Tupac has accepted his fame.  Because of his acceptance, the topics in the rest of his poems change throughout the remainder of the book.  For instance, all of the poems after What of Fame are about fame, love, and Tupac slowly discovering the injustices in the world, instead of being solely about his city and friends.  This poem also shows the literary device of tone.  By using diction, Mr. Shakur is able to portray his opinion on fame in a powerful way.  For instance, he uses very strong words such as never and everyone, instead of just writing will not or almost everyone.  Lastly, this poem is a metaphor.  This is because Mr. Shakur compares two unlike things together:  his new life and being famous.  Through his definition of fame, Tupac Shakur is actually describing the sensation of his newfound celebrity life.  For example, Mr. Shakur states, "Never again R u Alone" (21).  By stating this, Tupac Shakur is trying to express that because of his newfound fame, whether it is the paparazzi or just crazed fans, he is always being followed by someone and never has any privacy.

What Of Fame is one of the most important poems in the book.  This is because Mr. Shakur finally realizes that he is famous and that he has many new responsibilities.  Moreover, this poem represents a turning point in his book.  For instance, after What of Fame, all of the other pieces written after discuss Tupac dealing with fame, women and the problems in society more so than his friends and hometown.