Question

In Jean Toomer's poem "November Cotton Flower," why are the "Old folks" encouraged by the sight of the flower?

Answer 1

In Jean Toomer's poem "November Cotton Flower," the "Old folks" are encouraged by the sight of the flower because it represents a new beginning and a sign of hope for the future. The poem describes the cotton flower as blooming in November, which is unusual as cotton typically blooms earlier in the year. This late blooming suggests that there is still life and growth even in the midst of winter and the approaching end of the year. The poem also mentions the flower's "white and silky" appearance, which symbolizes purity and innocence.

For the "Old folks," who have likely lived through many difficult times and seen much hardship, the cotton flower serves as a reminder that life can be renewed and that there is always the possibility of a better future. The poem suggests that the sight of the cotton flower brings the "Old folks" a sense of joy and wonder, and reminds them to look for beauty and hope even in the midst of difficult times.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Answer: Because it bloomed after a long drought, and gave them hope.

Poem:

Boll-weevil’s coming, and the winter’s cold,

Made cotton-stalks look rusty, seasons old,

And cotton, scarce as any southern snow,

Was vanishing; the branch, so pinched and slow,

Failed in its function as the autumn rake;

Drouth fighting soil had caused the soil to take

All water from the streams; dead birds were found

In wells a hundred feet below the ground—

Such was the season when the flower bloomed.

Old folks were startled, and it soon assumed

Significance. Superstition saw

Something it had never seen before:

Brown eyes that loved without a trace of fear,

Beauty so sudden for that time of year.