In the song “Alright,” Lamar expresses his struggles to have strength through his troubles: “N****, I’m at the preacher’s door/ My knees gettin’ weak and my gun might blow (Lamar 39-40)” but then adds his optimism by saying, “But we gon’ be alright (41).” The symbolism that is used is being at the preacher’s door because it represents Lamar’s absolute lack of hope in himself and all he can do is trust in God. However, he encourages his listeners to not give up because eventually things will be okay. Lamar also uses symbolism in his song “The Blacker the Berry” when saying, “Muscle cars like pull ups, show you what these big wheels ‘bout, ah/ Black and successful, this black man meant to be special (Lamar 52-3).” He uses muscle cars as a way to symbolize his material wealth and argues that despite his disadvantage as a black man, he is still able to become a great success. The clever symbolisms can be found all throughout “To Pimp a Butterfly” and creates a strong effect on how the viewer interprets Lamar’s ideas. They show that everyone can overcome their internalized oppression to defeat the system that undermines them and rise to do great
In the song “Alright,” Lamar expresses his struggles to have strength through his troubles: “N****, I’m at the preacher’s door/ My knees gettin’ weak and my gun might blow (Lamar 39-40)” but then adds his optimism by saying, “But we gon’ be alright (41).” The symbolism that is used is being at the preacher’s door because it represents Lamar’s absolute lack of hope in himself and all he can do is trust in God. However, he encourages his listeners to not give up because eventually things will be okay. Lamar also uses symbolism in his song “The Blacker the Berry” when saying, “Muscle cars like pull ups, show you what these big wheels ‘bout, ah/ Black and successful, this black man meant to be special (Lamar 52-3).” He uses muscle cars as a way to symbolize his material wealth and argues that despite his disadvantage as a black man, he is still able to become a great success. The clever symbolisms can be found all throughout “To Pimp a Butterfly” and creates a strong effect on how the viewer interprets Lamar’s ideas. They show that everyone can overcome their internalized oppression to defeat the system that undermines them and rise to do great