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.