“Kitchenette Building” by Gwendolyn Brooks: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Kitchenette Building” by Gwendolyn Brooks

“Kitchenette Building” by Gwendolyn Brooks first appeared in 1945 in her debut poetry collection, A Street in Bronzeville. This poem captures the struggles and muted aspirations of Black urban life in mid-20th-century America, particularly within the cramped, communal living spaces known as kitchenettes, common in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. Through vivid imagery and rhythmic structure, Brooks explores the conflict between personal dreams and the harsh realities of poverty and oppression. The speaker reflects on how aspirations are often overshadowed by the immediate concerns of survival in such conditions. Brooks’s nuanced portrayal of the inner lives of ordinary people, especially Black women, resonates deeply with readers and critics, establishing her as a powerful voice for underrepresented communities. The poem’s popularity stems from its poignant social commentary, accessible style, and empathetic yet critical exploration of the tensions between individual dreams and collective hardships.

Text: “Kitchenette Building” by Gwendolyn Brooks

Annotations: “Kitchenette Building” by Gwendolyn Brooks

Line	Annotation
We are things of dry hours and the involuntary plan,	The speaker introduces the ‘we,’ symbolizing individuals trapped in monotonous, structured lives, with hours that are ‘dry’ and lifeless. The ‘involuntary plan’ implies a life imposed by socioeconomic constraints, where freedom of choice is limited.
Grayed in, and gray. “Dream” makes a giddy sound, not strong	The phrase ‘Grayed in, and gray’ emphasizes dullness and lack of vibrancy in their lives. The word ‘Dream’ is described as ‘giddy,’ hinting it is unrealistic or whimsical compared to harsh realities, lacking the weight and urgency of basic needs.
Like “rent,” “feeding a wife,” “satisfying a man.”	Basic needs like ‘rent,’ ‘feeding a wife,’ and ‘satisfying a man’ overshadow dreams, illustrating how survival and fulfilling social roles take precedence over personal aspirations in this environment.
But could a dream send up through onion fumes	The poem questions whether a dream could survive or emerge in such a harsh setting, filled with ‘onion fumes,’ an image that reflects unpleasant and suffocating conditions.
Its white and violet, fight with fried potatoes	The ‘white and violet’ hints at a brief, delicate beauty contrasting the drab reality. However, this beauty must ‘fight’ against the unrefined, heavy presence of ‘fried potatoes,’ symbolizing daily struggles.
And yesterday’s garbage ripening in the hall,	The ‘garbage ripening’ in the hall emphasizes decay and neglect, symbolizing how dreams are challenged by constant unpleasant realities and poverty.
Flutter, or sing an aria down these rooms	The speaker wonders if a dream could flourish or bring beauty to such a confined, unwelcoming space, likening dreams to fluttering wings or singing arias, yet these rooms restrict such expressions.
Even if we were willing to let it in,	There is a suggestion that allowing dreams would require willingness and openness, yet the constrained lives they lead don’t permit such possibilities.
Had time to warm it, keep it very clean,	The line implies that nurturing dreams needs time and care, luxuries they lack due to the demands of their routine lives.
Anticipate a message, let it begin?	This line conveys a fleeting hope for inspiration or change, yet ends with uncertainty, doubting the feasibility of dreams amidst their reality.
We wonder. But not well! not for a minute!	The exclamation ‘not well! not for a minute!’ reflects quick disillusionment, as any thought of dreaming is swiftly dismissed in favor of practical survival needs.
Since Number Five is out of the bathroom now,	This line brings readers back to the mundane reality, with shared, limited bathroom access highlighting the lack of privacy or personal space in the kitchenette building.
We think of lukewarm water, hope to get in it.	The poem ends focusing on immediate needs, like lukewarm water, symbolizing the compromises in basic comforts. It reinforces how survival overshadows any space for aspirations in their daily lives.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Kitchenette Building” by Gwendolyn Brooks

Device	Example	Explanation
Alliteration	” Even if we were willing to let it in” and ” We wonder. But not well! not for a minute!”	The repetition of the “d” sound emphasizes the monotony and dryness of life in the kitchenette building.
Allusion	“satisfying a man”	References traditional roles and societal expectations, subtly critiquing the gender norms expected in relationships.
Anaphora	“Even if we were willing… Had time… Anticipate…”	The repeated structure emphasizes the lack of space in the speaker’s life for nurturing dreams.
Assonance	“white and violet”	The repetition of the “i” sound creates a soft, lyrical tone, contrasting with the harshness of the environment.
Consonance	“gray, grayed in”	The “g” and “r” sounds reinforce the dull, lifeless setting and tone of the poem.
Diction	“rent,” “feeding a wife”	The choice of practical words emphasizes the harsh, unromanticized reality of the speaker’s life.
Enjambment	“not strong / Like ‘rent,’ ‘feeding a wife'”	The line break carries the thought into the next line, reflecting how dreams are disrupted by practical concerns.
Hyperbole	“Dream makes a giddy sound”	Dreams are described as “giddy” to highlight their fleeting and fragile nature in the face of difficult realities.
Imagery	“onion fumes”	Sensory language creates a vivid, unpleasant image of the kitchenette’s atmosphere, contrasting with idealized notions of beauty and dreams.
Irony	“lukewarm water, hope to get in it”	The basic desire for lukewarm water instead of dreams illustrates the irony of aspiring to such minimal comforts rather than grand ambitions.
Juxtaposition	“Dream” vs. “rent,” “satisfying a man”	The poem contrasts abstract dreams with the mundane obligations of daily life, emphasizing the unlikelihood of dreams flourishing here.
Metaphor	“We are things of dry hours”	The speaker equates themselves to “things,” suggesting they are objects shaped by the repetitive, unfeeling demands of survival.
Onomatopoeia	“giddy sound”	The word “giddy” mimics the light, airy sound of something frivolous, showing how dreams feel trivial compared to pressing needs.
Personification	“could a dream send up”	Dreams are personified as active entities that could potentially ‘fight’ or ‘flutter,’ making them seem almost capable of achieving autonomy within the oppressive setting.
Rhetorical Question	“But could a dream send up…?”	The rhetorical question reflects doubt and skepticism, as if dreams have little chance of survival in this context.
Repetition	“not well! not for a minute!”	Repetition of “not” emphasizes the impossibility of dreams in the speaker’s world, underscoring their resignation.
Simile	“not strong / Like ‘rent'”	Comparing the fragility of dreams to the solidity of rent payments highlights the disparity between desires and reality.
Symbolism	“onion fumes,” “fried potatoes,” “garbage”	Everyday household items symbolize the harsh, oppressive nature of the speaker’s surroundings.
Synecdoche	“dry hours”	Refers to lifeless, repetitive time as representative of their entire life, showing how monotony defines existence in the kitchenette.
Tone	Resigned, contemplative	The overall tone reflects a quiet resignation, as if the speaker has accepted that dreams are distant and survival is all-encompassing.

Themes: “Kitchenette Building” by Gwendolyn Brooks

1. The Struggle Between Dreams and Reality: One of the central themes in “Kitchenette Building” is the tension between personal aspirations and harsh realities. The poem questions whether a dream could “send up through onion fumes” and “fight with fried potatoes,” suggesting that dreams are fragile, almost incapable of surviving the daily struggles faced by the residents. Words like “dream” are described as making “a giddy sound,” indicating their lightness compared to the heaviness of survival needs like “rent” and “satisfying a man.” This contrast shows how aspirations often feel trivial and inaccessible amidst the immediate demands of life.
2. Socioeconomic Hardships: The setting of the poem highlights the economic challenges of urban poverty. Brooks places the speaker in a kitchenette building, a cramped, shared living space common in poor urban areas during the mid-20th century. References to “onion fumes,” “fried potatoes,” and “yesterday’s garbage ripening in the hall” evoke a sense of claustrophobia and confinement, where privacy and comfort are scarce. This environment not only limits physical space but also mental and emotional space, stifling the residents’ ability to nurture their dreams.
3. Gender Roles and Domestic Expectations: The poem subtly addresses gender roles through references to the duties expected of women, such as “feeding a wife” and “satisfying a man.” These phrases suggest that traditional gender roles are embedded in the residents’ lives, particularly for women, whose dreams may be further suppressed by societal expectations. The speaker’s reality is thus shaped not only by poverty but also by roles that restrict personal freedom, especially for women whose lives are defined by domestic responsibilities and financial dependency.
4. Resignation and Acceptance of Reality: A tone of resignation runs through the poem, as the speaker seems to accept the unlikelihood of fulfilling their dreams. The rhetorical question, “But could a dream…?” reflects a sense of doubt, and this is reinforced by the concluding lines, where the speaker shifts focus to “lukewarm water” and the immediate need to use the bathroom. This shift from potential aspirations to basic survival needs captures the speaker’s resigned acceptance that dreams are impractical luxuries in their world. The routine of life in the kitchenette leaves little room for aspiration, framing dreams as a fleeting indulgence rather than a feasible pursuit.

Literary Theories and “Kitchenette Building” by Gwendolyn Brooks

Literary Theory	Explanation	References from the Poem
Marxist Theory	Marxist criticism examines class struggle, socioeconomic oppression, and material conditions that influence individuals’ lives. Brooks’s depiction of kitchenette life, a byproduct of systemic poverty, aligns with Marxist themes of inequality.	Phrases like “onion fumes” and “fried potatoes” highlight the oppressive, lower-class living conditions that hinder personal aspirations.
Feminist Theory	Feminist criticism explores the representation of gender roles and the limitations placed on women. The poem reflects on how societal expectations for women, especially in domestic roles, restrict their freedom and personal growth.	References to “feeding a wife” and “satisfying a man” show the speaker’s awareness of gender roles, underscoring how these limit women’s lives.
Existentialist Theory	Existentialist criticism emphasizes themes of individual meaning-making and the struggle to find purpose in restrictive environments. The poem explores how individuals in oppressive settings grapple with the possibility of fulfilling their dreams.	The speaker’s contemplation of “Could a dream…” captures the existential conflict between aspiring for more and the constraints of reality.

Critical Questions about “Kitchenette Building” by Gwendolyn Brooks

• How does Brooks portray the conflict between dreams and reality in the lives of the residents?
• Brooks illustrates a sharp conflict between the residents’ aspirations and their immediate realities, questioning whether dreams can survive in such harsh conditions. The poem opens by describing the residents as “things of dry hours and the involuntary plan,” implying that their lives are dictated by routine and necessity, leaving little room for personal aspirations. Words like “Dream” are described as “giddy,” hinting that while dreams might bring excitement, they lack the solidity of survival needs such as “rent” and “feeding a wife.” The poet’s use of sensory imagery, such as “onion fumes” and “fried potatoes,” evokes an atmosphere where practical concerns overshadow any notion of personal growth, highlighting how the struggle for survival suppresses aspirations.
• What role does gender play in shaping the speaker’s perception of life and dreams?
• Gender expectations subtly influence the speaker’s worldview, as the poem references traditional roles, particularly for women. Phrases like “feeding a wife” and “satisfying a man” hint at societal expectations, framing women’s lives within domestic roles. These references imply that women in the kitchenette building may feel additional constraints, with their identities tied to serving family members or partners. This societal conditioning adds another layer to the suppression of dreams, as women are often expected to prioritize others’ needs over their own aspirations, reinforcing how gender roles confine them within the same stifling structures as poverty.
• How does the poem’s setting contribute to its overall mood and themes?
• The kitchenette building setting significantly contributes to the poem’s mood of confinement and resignation, as well as its themes of poverty and unrealized dreams. The building’s environment, filled with “onion fumes” and “yesterday’s garbage ripening in the hall,” is described with unflattering, gritty details that create a sense of stagnation and decay. This setting conveys how the physical space reflects the mental and emotional limitations the residents face, underscoring the stifling conditions that stymie personal growth. The shared spaces, such as waiting for the bathroom, suggest a lack of privacy and autonomy, further illustrating how their environment diminishes both their physical and emotional space for aspirations.
• What does the poem suggest about the nature of hope in environments of poverty?
• In “Kitchenette Building,”hope is depicted as fleeting and difficult to nurture within an environment dominated by poverty. The poem questions whether a dream can “flutter, or sing an aria down these rooms,” expressing doubt that aspirations can thrive amid such constrained circumstances. Although the speaker contemplates the possibility of welcoming a dream, they ultimately turn to practical concerns like lukewarm water, a basic need that takes precedence over any hope for a better life. This focus on immediate survival reflects how poverty restricts one’s ability to look beyond the present, with the conclusion suggesting a resigned acceptance that dreams may simply be luxuries unavailable to those preoccupied with day-to-day survival.

Literary Works Similar to “Kitchenette Building” by Gwendolyn Brooks

1. “Harlem” by Langston Hughes – This poem, with its famous line “What happens to a dream deferred?”, similarly explores the impact of unfulfilled dreams within an oppressive social context, reflecting on how socioeconomic limitations stifle ambition.
2. “The Weary Blues” by Langston Hughes – Hughes uses vivid imagery to portray the hardships of Black urban life, blending music and struggle to illustrate resilience in the face of economic and emotional hardships, much like Brooks’s portrayal of kitchenette life.
3. “Incident” by Countee Cullen – This poem, though short, captures the profound impact of racial and social limitations on personal identity and aspirations, echoing Brooks’s themes of restriction within oppressive environments.
4. “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden – Hayden’s poem highlights the quiet, often unnoticed sacrifices of working-class individuals, mirroring Brooks’s exploration of mundane struggles overshadowing dreams and aspirations.
5. “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes – Through the voice of a mother advising her son, this poem addresses the perseverance required to survive in a challenging, unforgiving world, reflecting Brooks’s portrayal of enduring through hardship and limited means.

Representative Quotations of “Kitchenette Building” by Gwendolyn Brooks

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“We are things of dry hours and the involuntary plan,”	The speaker introduces the lives of the residents, likening them to lifeless “things” bound by routine.	Marxist Theory: Emphasizes the dehumanizing effects of poverty, where people are reduced to objects within a rigid structure.
“Grayed in, and gray.”	Describes the residents’ lives as dull and colorless, lacking vibrancy.	Existentialist Theory: Highlights a life constrained by oppressive circumstances, challenging individuals’ sense of purpose.
“Dream makes a giddy sound, not strong”	The word “dream” is portrayed as fragile compared to the weight of survival needs.	Marxist Theory: Reflects how economic pressures trivialize dreams, viewing them as weak and unrealistic.
“Like ‘rent,’ ‘feeding a wife,’ ‘satisfying a man.'”	References practical responsibilities that dominate over personal aspirations.	Feminist Theory: Shows the gendered expectations imposed on individuals, particularly affecting women’s roles.
“But could a dream send up through onion fumes”	The speaker doubts whether dreams can exist in the grim realities of the kitchenette building.	Marxist Theory: Suggests that dreams are obstructed by poverty and daily survival struggles, restricting possibilities.
“Its white and violet, fight with fried potatoes”	Imagines the delicate beauty of dreams fighting against the everyday, unrefined reality.	Symbolism and Realism: The colors represent fleeting beauty, contrasting with the gritty, enduring hardships of poverty.
“And yesterday’s garbage ripening in the hall,”	Describes the decay in the kitchenette building, creating an atmosphere of stagnation.	Marxist and Existentialist Theory: Symbolizes the cyclical nature of poverty, reinforcing limitations on upward mobility.
“Flutter, or sing an aria down these rooms”	Imagines a dream’s fragile, musical expression in an environment that cannot sustain it.	Existentialist Theory: Reflects the inner conflict between aspiring for beauty and feeling trapped by circumstances.
“We wonder. But not well! not for a minute!”	The speaker contemplates the possibility of dreaming, only to quickly dismiss it.	Psychological Realism: Illustrates the mental barriers created by poverty, leading to resignation over time.
“Since Number Five is out of the bathroom now”	Returns the speaker to the mundane reality of shared, limited space in the kitchenette.	Marxist Theory: Highlights the lack of privacy and personal space as conditions enforced by socioeconomic status.

Suggested Readings: “Kitchenette Building” by Gwendolyn Brooks

1. Gwendolyn Brooks, and George Stavros. “An Interview with Gwendolyn Brooks.” Contemporary Literature, vol. 11, no. 1, 1970, pp. 1–20. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/1207502. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.
2. Hughes, Gertrude Reif. “Making It Really New: Hilda Doolittle, Gwendolyn Brooks, and the Feminist Potential of Modern Poetry.” American Quarterly, vol. 42, no. 3, 1990, pp. 375–401. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2712940. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.
3. Furman, Marva Riley. “GWENDOLYN BROOKS: THE ‘UNCONDITIONED’ POET.” CLA Journal, vol. 17, no. 1, 1973, pp. 1–10. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44329032. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.
4. Herndon, Gerise. “Gender Difference, Cultural Sameness: A Regional Feminist Pedagogy.” Transformations: The Journal of Inclusive Scholarship and Pedagogy, vol. 7, no. 2, 1996, pp. 61–78. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43587697. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.
5. Brooks, Gwendolyn. “kitchenette building.” Adcock, Faber 140 (1987).