The poem "We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks is a short, powerful piece of verse that captures the essence of a group of young people who are living life on their terms, seemingly detached from societal norms. The poem's lack of pragmatic function refers to its minimal practicality or utilitarian purpose. Several aspects of the poem contribute to this characteristic:
Brevity: The poem consists of only eight lines, each containing two words or a single word. Its brevity doesn't lend itself to conveying extensive information or serving any practical purpose beyond the immediate emotional impact.
Ambiguity: The poem's brevity and unconventional structure contribute to its ambiguity. The lack of explicit details about the characters or their situation leaves room for interpretation, making it challenging to derive specific, practical meaning or application from the poem.
Lack of context: The poem does not provide a clear context for the events or characters it describes. It merely presents a snapshot of the characters' lives without delving into their backgrounds or motivations. This lack of context limits the poem's pragmatic function, as it doesn't offer actionable information or guidance.
Absence of clear narrative: The poem does not follow a conventional narrative structure, making it challenging to extract a straightforward story or lesson from its content. It presents a snapshot of a moment in time without an explicit beginning, middle, or end.
Emphasis on emotions and themes: Instead of offering practical guidance or information, "We Real Cool" emphasizes emotions and thematic exploration. It delves into feelings of rebellion, risk-taking, and the consequences of such actions, rather than providing direct instructions or advice.
Poetic language: The poem employs poetic devices, such as alliteration and enjambment, to create rhythm and impact. While these techniques enhance the poem's artistic value and emotional resonance, they do not serve a pragmatic function in the traditional sense.
In summary, the poem "We Real Cool" lacks pragmatic function due to its brevity, ambiguity, absence of clear narrative, focus on emotions and themes over practical guidance, and its utilization of poetic language. Instead, the poem aims to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and engage readers on an artistic and emotional level rather than offering practical or utilitarian information.