Paul Laurence Dunbar: The Life and Times of a Caged Bird

by Gene Andrew Jarrett

On the 150th anniversary of his birth, a definitive new biography of a pivotal figure in American literary history

A major poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906) was one of the first African American writers to garner international recognition in the wake of emancipation. In this definitive biography, the first full-scale life of Dunbar in half a century, Gene Andrew Jarrett offers a revelatory account of a writer whose Gilded Age celebrity as the "poet laureate of his race" hid the private struggles of a man who, in the words of his famous poem, felt like a "caged bird" that sings.

Jarrett tells the fascinating story of how Dunbar, born during Reconstruction to formerly enslaved parents, excelled against all odds to become an accomplished and versatile artist. A prolific and successful poet, novelist, essayist, playwright, and Broadway librettist, he was also a friend of such luminaries as Frederick Douglass and Orville and Wilbur Wright. But while audiences across the United States and Europe flocked to enjoy his literary readings, Dunbar privately bemoaned shouldering the burden of race and catering to minstrel stereotypes to earn fame and money. Inspired by his parents' survival of slavery, but also agitated by a turbulent public marriage, beholden to influential benefactors, and helpless against his widely reported bouts of tuberculosis and alcoholism, he came to regard his racial notoriety as a curse as well as a blessing before dying at the age of only thirty-three.

Beautifully written, meticulously researched, and generously illustrated, this biography presents the richest, most detailed, and most nuanced portrait yet of Dunbar and his work, transforming how we understand the astonishing life and times of a central figure in American literary history.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Poetry, History, Reference

560 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Gene Andrew Jarrett is Dean of the Faculty and William S. Tod Professor of English at Princeton University.

Reviews

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

While listening to the audiobook I struggled at times as to whether or not I was enjoying this book, and whether I had more of an issue with the book or its subject. In the end, I concluded it was the latter. And I didn't come to that conclusion until I listened to the Epilogue. In it the author provided important context that invoked an appreciation for the hard work that went into bringing this story to life. Because the subject didn't maintain a consistent journal during his lifetime, much of the story is constructed from secondhand sources (albeit validated sources). With that bit of information in mind I concluded the book was worth the time that went to listening. What I enjoyed most was the historical footing that's threaded throughout the book. The author doesn't just tell what happened but he provides the historical context of the time. I enjoy books that not only tell you a story but educate you about the time within the story. As for the subject of the book, Mr. Dunbar was a prolific and consequential writer during a time when African Americans were considered highly inferior; and although he was a deeply flawed individual, I finished the book with a respect and admiration for his intellect and his hustle to make a living (and to be accepted) as an artist.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Perhaps the definitive biography of Paul Laurence Dunbar, one of the first African writers to achieve fame for his poetry and other writings.

On the sesquicentennial of the birth of Paul Laurence Dunbar (b. 1872), Princeton University published this extensively researched biography of a man who, arguably was one of the first great African-American poets and writers. Born of former slaves, including an alcoholic father who soon divorced his mother Mathilda, he was able to enroll in Dayton’s top high school when few African-Americans achieved more than an eighth grade education. A classmate of Orville Wright, being educated in a classically-oriented curriculum, he began writing, teaming up on several publishing efforts with Wright.

Dunbar gained the attention of influential men like James Whitcomb Riley and Frederick Douglas early on, giving him connections, the opportunities to read his poetry, and reviewing his books. This was a mixed blessing. Fellow Ohioan William Dean Howells praised an early collection of his poetry, bringing him wider notice of the literary public but also imposing the first of the “cages” Jarrett depicts that would trouble his brief, yet brilliant career.

Dialect poetry. Howells especially praised his dialect poetry, often around scenes of southern life pre- and post-Emancipation in the language and idioms people supposed Blacks to use. Throughout his career Dunbar composed poems both in formal English and dialect, the latter to satisfy the demand of the public. This also represented a larger struggle against the racial stereotypes that both shaped public taste and yet Dunbar strove to transcend. He wanted to be known simply as a great poet, not as a Black poet.

Poverty. While publishing his first collections and trying to cultivate connections who would help publicize his work, Dunbar struggled with lowly jobs such as an elevator operator in Dayton, earning a meager $4 a week while trying to help his mother. Poverty would be a cage against which he would struggle, shaping his efforts both in writing prodigiously for papers, periodicals, several musicals, one of the early Black librettists, as well as his book publishing efforts. This also necessitated relentless travel to readings, all while working at the Library of Congress, efforts detrimental to his health.

Alcoholism. Like his father, Dunbar drank increasingly throughout his life. On the one hand, it seemed to facilitate his composing, as when he turned out a school song for Tuskegee Institute on short notice and, increasingly hampered his readings when he turned up drunk. It also released violent tendencies exacerbating problems in an already troubled marriage.

A difficult marriage. Fellow writer Alice Ruth Moore came to his notice in a magazine article and they began writing, developing a deepening bond long before they met. At this time, as throughout his life, Dunbar had flirtations (and perhaps more) with a number of other woman. For this reason, she was slow to engage, and then to set a date for a wedding. Neither her parents nor Mathilda would give the couple their blessing (and Mathilda would occupy an unhealthy place in their eventual marriage). Jarrett covers at length Dunbar’s rape of Alice (when inebriated) during their engagement. Apparently she had physical injuries requiring medical attention and leave from work. It nearly broke the engagement. After several years of marriage, there was another violent incident, leading to permanent separation (though not divorce) during which she refused to respond to his attempts to apologize and reconcile. Dunbar, in declining health, purchased a home in Dayton. living with his mother.

Tuberculosis. Through most of his adult life, Dunbar was in frail health, frequently laid low by “colds” that signaled something more. Eventually, it became clear he was sick with what was then called “consumption” and is now known as tuberculosis. During his life, before the age of antibiotics, there wasn’t a cure. Dunbar even rationalized drinking as curative. A trip to Colorado brought a remission, but after his break with Alice, his condition worsened. All he could do was read and write. The end came in February of 1906, when he was but 33 years of age. He was buried in a different part of the same cemetery where his father was buried.

Jarrett not only covers the “cages” of Dunbar’s life but also how the caged bird sang. He traces his literary career, citing a number of poems. He traces Dunbar’s transition to writing several moderately successful novels as well as the previously mentioned musical collaborations. One wonders what Dunbar would have done had he lived longer or not faced the constraints he had. Yet were these constraints the very thing that drove and inspired Dunbar?

As a fellow Ohioan, I knew of Dunbar but welcome what is probably the definitive biography on Dunbar. Jarrett confirmed to me the extent of Dunbar’s greatness. He also confirmed me in his recognition of his and my favorite Dunbar poem, “We Wear the Mask,” and arguably one of his greatest, with which I will close:

  We wear the mask that grins and lies,
  It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
  This debt we pay to human guile;
  With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
  And mouth with myriad subtleties.

  Why should the world be over-wise,
  In counting all our tears and sighs?
  Nay, let them only see us, while
  We wear the mask.

  We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
  To thee from tortured souls arise.
  We sing, but oh the clay is vile
  Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
  But let the world dream otherwise,
  We wear the mask!

Paul Laurence. Dunbar, “We Wear the Mask.” from The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar. (New York: Dodd, Mead and Company, ) via Poetry Foundation

[Miriam Kahn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree that Paul Laurence Dunbar is an important African-American literary figure, his literary output is significant and set the bar for future writers.

I didn't need a long winded biography that starts in the 1700s, talks about slavery, the history of slave and non-slave states, and more. There were long descriptions of historical events, lots of historical context and background, so much so that the biographical information is lost on the reader, or in my case, the listener. A significant part of the book is devoted to Dunbar's relationship with his fiance/ex-wife, culled from the numerous letters they exchanged.

Unfortunately, what might have been an interesting literary exploration of Dunbar's life, is long-winded and the reader is boring, so much so, I'm not formally reviewing the audio performance.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very comprehensive and well-researched biography of the important figure, Paul Laurence Dunbar, famed husband to Alice Dunbar Nelson. I was concerned before I read the book about whether the author would depict the truth of the hard relationship between Paul and Alice and all the difficulties they experienced, as well as how he made her feel, and the book definitely addresses all of that and more. The field has needed this text for many years, and this is the best one that I have found to date. Highly recommended.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed and compelling story of Dunbar’s life. As a Dayton resident, I felt like I didn’t know enough about this often lofted local celebrity. So happy I read it, but it is crazy long and at times I read sentences 2-3 times to actually comprehend.

[Melissa Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive biography of "one of the first African American writers to garner international recognition in the wake of emancipation." It's definitely not a book that can be read in one setting. He was very prolific but there was a dark and troubled part of him.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great biography. Gene Jarrett had a great balance of context and Paul's life and works.

Paul...oof. What a complicated man. Great poet and great contribution to the race but not a great man. Unfortunate that he couldn't escape his demons and the sins of his father.

[Jayme]

I read most of this and really enjoyed it, but it is super detailed and about everything about Paul Laurence Dunbar - not just his life. I ultimately couldn’t finish it.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm being a little generous honestly. I wanted to give up on it almost the whole time and probably should have. I listened to this one, and the narrator doesn't do it any favors. It was very dry. I did learn a lot.

[Nasus · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book tells the fascinating life of a talented African American poet, novelist, playwright, lyricist who lived and the end of the 19th century. His achievements were many and great, but the book gets bogged down in the letters between himself and his fiance/wife. This was a very dysfunctional relationship which needs to be told, and the author is careful to demonstrate how badly he physically and emotionally abused her; but the points could have been made with fewer quotations from their letters to each other. Some aspects of PLD's achievements were detailed; but some were glossed over so it was hard to tell just how famous and respected he was.