Poem Analysis - The Vacant Lot

Overview: Loss and Judgment in a Chicago Landscape

Gwendolyn Brooks's "The Vacant Lot" evokes a sense of loss and judgment. The poem chronicles the absence of a building and its inhabitants, painting vivid portraits of Mrs. Coley, her family, and their activities. The tone is observational, almost clinical at first, but subtly shifts towards a more judgmental and perhaps even mournful perspective as the poem progresses. The removal of the three-flat structure has left more than just a physical void; it has left a space for reflection on the lives that once occupied it.

The Weight of Observation: Theme of Community and Judgment

One of the central themes is the community, but more specifically, its perceived moral standing. The poem describes Mrs. Coley and her family in detail, but it's not merely descriptive; it's evaluative. Phrases like "fat little form," "great white strong cold squares of teeth," and "little eyes of stone" suggest a critical gaze. The daughter "letting in the men/When majesty has gone for the day—/And letting them out again" further amplifies this judgment. The poem doesn't simply describe a building and its inhabitants; it weighs them against a moral scale, implied through the speaker's word choices and observations. Brooks develops this through the contrast between the description of the son-in-law and the daughter. The man's physical attributes are given an almost intimidating sense, while the daughter's actions are presented in a negative light, with the implication that she is only active at night.

Symbolism of the Absent Building: The Vanishing Past

The "vacant lot" itself is a powerful symbol. It represents not only the physical absence of the three-flat brick building, but also the disappearance of a particular way of life, a community, and perhaps even a history. The building is "isn't here any more," highlighting the finality of its removal. The vacant lot creates an emptiness, inviting reflection on what was lost. The removal allows for an examination of the people, or the lives lived within the walls. The poem seems to be saying that by its absence, the building is louder than when it stood.

Imagery of Coldness: Distance and Objectification

The imagery in the poem often revolves around coldness and hardness. The son-in-law's "great white strong cold squares of teeth" and "little eyes of stone" create an image of a man who is unfeeling and detached. These images may symbolize the speaker's (or community's) perception of the man as an outsider. It is important to note that the son-in-law is described as an “African son-in-law,” making his ethnicity a key part of his otherness, with the “throne” perhaps alluding to his foreign origins and possibly a sense of lost status in a new land. This contributes to the overall tone of distance and objectification throughout the poem. The contrast between the warm descriptions of Mrs. Coley's physical presence and the cold descriptions of the other family members further emphasizes this theme.

Final Reflections: An Elegy for a Lost World

"The Vacant Lot" is ultimately an elegy for a lost world. The poem mourns not just the physical structure that is gone, but also the lives and interactions that it contained. The speaker's judgments, the cold imagery, and the symbolism of the vacant lot all contribute to a sense of loss and reflection on the fleeting nature of community and memory. The poem could be interpreted as a lament for the changes occurring within a neighborhood, leaving behind empty spaces and lingering questions about the people who once occupied them. The reader is left to wonder about the forces that led to the building's removal and the impact it had on the remaining community.