The Rose That Grew from Concrete
In Tupac Shakur’s “The Rose That Grew from Concrete,” the speaker describes a flower that grew in an unlikely place.
When and How to Pair: Introduce this poem after reading “1976: Year of the Dragon” so students can compare ideas of success after hardship. Much of 1976: Year of the Dragon is spent reflecting on where Há’s family was last year--in Vietnam during a war, not they’re a fairly successful family living in America. Can Há and her family be compared to a rose in concrete, growing even when they struggled? Consider also, the papaya tree in Vietnam that she cared for. Does Há have more in common with her papaya tree or the rose that grew from the concrete? Consider her relationship with her mom, neighbor, and brothers.