Introduction: “Strange Fruit” by Abel Meeropol
“Strange Fruit” by Abel Meeropol (under the pseudonym Lewis Allan), is a powerful song, first recorded by Billie Holiday in 193. Her rendition quickly became a protest anthem against racial injustice and lynching in the United States. The song’s haunting melody, evocative lyrics, and Holiday’s emotive performance made it a cultural touchstone, serving as a stark reminder of the brutality faced by African Americans.
Text: “Strange Fruit” by Abel Meeropol
Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swingin’ in the Southern breeze
Strange fruit hangin’ from the poplar trees
Pastoral scene of the gallant South
The bulgin’ eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolias sweet and fresh
Then the sudden smell of burnin’ flesh
Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck
For the sun to rot, for the tree to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop
Annotations: “Strange Fruit” by Abel Meeropol
| Line | Annotation |
| Southern trees bear a strange fruit | This line introduces the metaphor of “strange fruit” as a reference to the lynching of African Americans, particularly in the Southern United States, where bodies hung from trees. |
| Blood on the leaves and blood at the root | The imagery of “blood” evokes violence and death, symbolizing the deep-rooted racism and brutality against African Americans that has permeated society from its foundation. |
| Black bodies swingin’ in the Southern breeze | This line makes the metaphor explicit, describing lynched African American bodies hanging from trees. The contrast between the breeze and violent image adds to the chilling effect. |
| Strange fruit hangin’ from the poplar trees | “Strange fruit” is reiterated to emphasize the unnatural, horrifying sight of human bodies as “fruit.” The poplar tree is a common symbol of lynching in the American South. |
| Pastoral scene of the gallant South | This line is deeply ironic, as it refers to the idealized vision of the “gallant” South, a romanticized notion of Southern chivalry that masks the brutal reality of racial violence. |
| The bulgin’ eyes and the twisted mouth | Graphic and grotesque imagery is used to describe the physical aftermath of lynching, humanizing the victims and forcing the audience to confront the violence inflicted on them. |
| Scent of magnolias sweet and fresh | The scent of magnolias evokes a sensory contrast—representing the beauty of nature in the South—while masking the violence and bloodshed that lurks beneath this serene surface. |
| Then the sudden smell of burnin’ flesh | The shift from the sweet scent of magnolias to the smell of burning flesh symbolizes the quick and brutal transformation from normality to violence, evoking the horrors of lynching. |
| Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck | The lynched bodies are metaphorically referred to as “fruit” for scavenging birds like crows, signifying the dehumanization of the victims and the neglect of their dignity in death. |
| For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck | The natural forces—rain and wind—continue to interact with the “fruit,” suggesting the cyclical nature of violence, where the victims are left exposed to the elements with no respect. |
| For the sun to rot, for the tree to drop | This line emphasizes decay and abandonment, with the sun causing the bodies to rot and the tree eventually shedding its “fruit,” highlighting the disregard for human life. |
| Here is a strange and bitter crop | The final line reinforces the metaphor of “fruit” as lynched bodies, calling it a “bitter crop” that represents the destructive legacy of racism and violence in the Southern United States. |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “Strange Fruit” by Abel Meeropol
| Device | Definition and Explanation | Example |
| Alliteration | The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words. | “Scent of magnolias sweet and fresh” |
| Allusion | A reference to a famous person, place, event, or work of literature. | The poem alludes to the pastoral imagery of the South, contrasting it with the brutality of lynching. |
| Anaphora | The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. | “Strange fruit” is repeated at the beginning of the poem and the first stanza. |
| Antithesis | The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas or images. | The poem contrasts the peaceful imagery of the South with the violence of lynching. |
| Assonance | The repetition of vowel sounds within words. | “Scent of magnolias sweet and fresh” |
| Connotation | The emotional associations attached to a word. | The word “strange” evokes a sense of the unusual and disturbing. |
| Denotation | The literal meaning of a word. | The word “fruit” literally refers to the edible part of a plant. |
| Imagery | The use of vivid language to create mental images. | “Blood on the leaves and blood at the root” |
| Irony | A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. | The poem ironically describes lynching as a “strange and bitter crop.” |
| Metaphor | A comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.” | “Black bodies swingin’ in the Southern breeze” |
| Metonymy | The use of a related word or phrase to represent something else. | “Southern trees” represent the South itself. |
| Onomatopoeia | The use of words that imitate the sounds they represent. | The poem does not contain any onomatopoeia. |
| Paradox | A statement that seems contradictory but expresses a truth. | The poem presents the paradox of a beautiful landscape being associated with such a horrific act. |
| Personification | The attribution of human qualities to non-human things. | “The rain to gather, for the wind to suck” |
| Repetition | The repeated use of words, phrases, or sounds. | “Strange fruit” is repeated throughout the poem. |
| Rhyme | The repetition of sounds at the end of words. | The poem has an ABAB rhyme scheme in each stanza. |
| Simile | A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.” | The poem does not contain any similes. |
| Symbolism | The use of objects, characters, or events to represent something else. | “Strange fruit” symbolizes the victims of lynching. |
| Tone | The attitude of the speaker toward the subject matter. | The tone of the poem is one of anger, sadness, and protest. |
| Verbal Irony | A figure of speech in which what is said is different from what is meant. | The poem ironically describes lynching as a “pastoral scene.” |
Themes: “Strange Fruit” by Abel Meeropol
· Racial Injustice and Violence: The overarching theme of “Strange Fruit” is the horrific reality of racial injustice and violence, specifically lynching, in the American South. The poem vividly depicts the brutality of these acts, contrasting the peaceful imagery of the South with the stark violence inflicted upon African Americans. The repeated image of “strange fruit” hanging from the trees serves as a powerful symbol of the victims of lynching.
· Social Commentary and Protest: Meeropol’s poem is a potent social commentary that calls attention to the systemic racism and injustice prevalent in American society. The stark language and imagery are designed to shock and provoke, urging readers and listeners to confront the brutality of lynching and demand change. The poem’s enduring power lies in its ability to serve as a rallying cry for social justice and equality.
· Loss and Grief: The poem also explores the themes of loss and grief associated with the victims of lynching. The vivid imagery of the “black bodies swingin’ in the Southern breeze” evokes a sense of deep sorrow and despair. The poem mourns the loss of human life and the devastating impact of racial violence on families and communities.
· The Power of Art and Language: “Strange Fruit” demonstrates the power of art and language to expose injustice and inspire social change. Through its haunting imagery and evocative language, the poem serves as a powerful indictment of racial violence and a call to action. Meeropol’s use of poetic devices, such as metaphor, symbolism, and repetition, enhances the poem’s emotional impact and ensures its enduring relevance.
Literary Theories and “Strange Fruit” by Abel Meeropol
| Literary Theory | Application to “Strange Fruit” |
| Marxist Criticism | From a Marxist perspective, the poem can be seen as a critique of the capitalist system and the racial hierarchies that it reinforces. The lynching of African Americans in the South can be interpreted as a form of social control used by the ruling class (white landowners and elites) to maintain economic dominance and racial superiority. The imagery of blood and violence reflects the exploitation and dehumanization of African Americans, who were oppressed not only economically but also socially and politically. |
| Critical Race Theory (CRT) | Critical Race Theory offers a framework for understanding “Strange Fruit” in terms of systemic racism. The poem highlights the violence and brutality that African Americans faced as a result of entrenched racial inequality. The “strange fruit” metaphor symbolizes the Black bodies lynched due to institutionalized racism. CRT also considers how narratives of power and privilege suppress the experiences of marginalized groups, and this poem is a powerful counter-narrative exposing the horrors of racial violence. |
| New Historicism | New Historicism examines the historical and cultural context of a work, focusing on how power and ideology are reflected in literature. “Strange Fruit” was written in response to the widespread lynching of African Americans during the Jim Crow era. The poem serves as a historical document that reflects the racial tensions and violence of the time, showing how the events of the past shaped societal attitudes. It challenges the romanticized view of the “gallant South” by confronting the brutal reality of racism. |
Critical Questions about “Strange Fruit” by Abel Meeropol
· How does the poem’s use of imagery contribute to its emotional impact?
- Meeropol employs vivid and disturbing imagery to evoke a strong emotional response in the reader. The contrast between the peaceful imagery of the South and the horrific violence of lynching creates a powerful tension. The repeated image of “strange fruit” hanging from the trees serves as a haunting symbol of the victims. How does this imagery contribute to the poem’s overall message and emotional impact?
· What is the significance of the poem’s title, “Strange Fruit”?
- The title “Strange Fruit” is a powerful metaphor for the victims of lynching. The word “strange” suggests something unusual and disturbing, while the word “fruit” is associated with life and growth. How does this contrast contribute to the poem’s meaning and significance?
· How does the poem’s form and structure contribute to its effectiveness?
- The poem is written in a ballad form, with a simple and repetitive structure. How does this form contribute to the poem’s emotional impact and memorability? Additionally, the use of anaphora, repetition, and rhyme creates a haunting and memorable rhythm. How does this contribute to the poem’s overall effectiveness?
· What is the role of the speaker in the poem?
- The speaker of the poem is an unnamed narrator who observes and describes the horrific practice of lynching. How does the speaker’s perspective contribute to the poem’s emotional impact and message? Does the speaker’s tone and attitude towards the subject matter influence the reader’s interpretation?
Literary Works Similar to “Strange Fruit” by Abel Meeropol
- “The Lynching” by Claude McKay: Similar to “Strange Fruit”, McKay’s poem addresses the horrors of lynching, using vivid imagery to expose the racial violence faced by African Americans.
- “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay: This poem, like “Strange Fruit”, confronts racial violence, calling for dignity in the face of death and resistance against oppression.
- “I, Too” by Langston Hughes: Hughes’ poem echoes the theme of racial identity and resilience in the face of systemic racism, much like the resistance and pain portrayed in “Strange Fruit”.
- “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar: Dunbar’s poem explores the hidden suffering of African Americans, similar to how “Strange Fruit” unveils the brutal reality of racial violence behind the façade of Southern gentility.
- Go Down, Moses (spiritual): This African American spiritual, like “Strange Fruit”, serves as a powerful protest song against oppression, drawing attention to the suffering of the enslaved and lynched.
Representative Quotations of “Strange Fruit” by Abel Meeropol
| Quotation | Context | Theoretical Perspective |
| “Southern trees bear a strange fruit” | The poem begins with this haunting image, establishing the central theme of racial injustice and violence. | Symbolism: The “strange fruit” symbolizes the victims of lynching. |
| “Blood on the leaves and blood at the root” | This line emphasizes the deep-rooted nature of racism and its destructive consequences. | Imagery: The vivid image of blood-stained trees reinforces the brutality of lynching. |
| “Black bodies swingin’ in the Southern breeze” | This line directly depicts the horrific practice of lynching. | Imagery: The image of black bodies hanging from trees is a powerful and disturbing visual. |
| “Pastoral scene of the gallant South” | This line contrasts the idyllic image of the South with the reality of racial violence. | Irony: The poem ironically juxtaposes the beauty of the South with its dark underbelly. |
| “The bulgin’ eyes and the twisted mouth” | This line describes the physical suffering and dehumanization of the victims. | Imagery: The grotesque image of the victims’ faces highlights the brutality of lynching. |
| “Scent of magnolias sweet and fresh” | This line evokes the natural beauty of the South. | Imagery: The pleasant scent of magnolias contrasts with the horror of lynching. |
| “Then the sudden smell of burnin’ flesh” | This line abruptly shifts from the pleasant to the horrific, emphasizing the contrast between beauty and brutality. | Contrast: The juxtaposition of the two smells creates a powerful emotional impact. |
| “Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck” | This line suggests that the victims’ bodies are treated as objects of disgust and contempt. | Metaphor: The image of the fruit being plucked by crows dehumanizes the victims. |
| “For the sun to rot, for the tree to drop” | This line emphasizes the inevitability of death and decay, suggesting that even the victims’ bodies will eventually be forgotten. | Imagery: The image of the decaying fruit reinforces the idea of death and loss. |
| “Here is a strange and bitter crop” | The final line summarizes the poem’s central theme and suggests that the legacy of racial injustice is a bitter harvest. | Metaphor: The image of a bitter crop symbolizes the destructive consequences of racism. |
Suggested Readings: “Strange Fruit” by Abel Meeropol
- Margolick, David. Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday, Café Society, and an Early Cry for Civil Rights. Running Press, 2000.
- Holiday, Billie. Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit”: A Song Born from a Poem. PBS, 12 Feb. 2020.
- Strange Fruit: The Story Behind Billie Holiday’s Song. NPR, 5 Apr. 2010.