References to "blood on the leaves and blood at the root" suggest violence and loss of life.
"Black bodies swinging in the breeze" depicts a haunting and disturbing image related to historical racial violence.
The "strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees" is a metaphor for lynching in the American South.
Descriptions and Sensory Details:
"Bulging eyes and the twisted mouth" evoke imagery of suffering and inhumanity.
Contrast of "magnolias sweet and fresh" with "the sudden smell of burning flesh" highlights the juxtaposition of beauty and horror.
Symbolism
Fruit as Symbol:
The fruit represents lives lost to racial violence and injustice.
Symbolizes the bitter and painful legacy of racism and the impact of this violence on society.
The Cycle of Nature and Violence
Nature's Role:
Imagery of natural elements such as crows, rain, wind, sun, and trees suggests the cyclical nature of violence and how it is woven into the fabric of society.
"Here is a string and be" might imply the ongoing and unending nature of this historical trauma.