Lift Every Voice and Sing Suffering Quotes

The "stony" road and "chast'ning rod" allude to all the suffering that African-Americans have had to endure in America. The metaphor of the "chast'ning rod" reflects the violence that African-Americans have faced, especially during slavery. During those times, there was no hope. The personification of "hope" as a baby who has died reflects just how hopeless African-Americans felt when they first arrived in this country.

The metaphor of a path "watered" with "tears" and "blood" reflects how sorrowful and violent the African-American experience has been in America. These images sum up the extent of the suffering that the speakers have lived through.

These lines also allude to suffering. The "weary years" suggest how long the speakers have had to endure suffering. They haven't been suffering for days, or even months, but for years. The "silent tears" also suggest that that the speakers have had to suffer in silence.