good times Analysis

Symbols, Imagery, Wordplay

Form and Meter

"good times" is pretty much as free as it gets when it comes to, well, everything. But that's not to say Clifton doesn't throw in a conventional literary device now and then. First there's the refr...

Speaker

Is the speaker a child in "good times" or is she an old woman? Maybe a little bit of both?Think back to a few good conversations you might have had with older folks. You might realize that grandma...

Setting

You're sitting at the counter, you parents are cooking away, and your little brother or sister's right there next to you, laughing and joking about what happened at school that day. Even grandma an...

Sound Check

Don't you just love it when you can actually say a poem sounds like a good time? No need to worry about proper grammar, fancy words, or fancy speakers in "good times" because the entire thing sound...

What's Up With the Title?

It figures Clifton would look to keep things simple with her straightforward title. Here's a hint: we're not talking about bad times here. No, we're talking about "good times," plain and simple. No...

Calling Card

Strength and family is all you really need when it comes to Lucille Clifton's work. She's all about the importance of sticking together and making the most of what we have. No matter if we have goo...

Tough-o-Meter

If you've ever had a good time, and we're assuming you have at least once, then "good times" is a cinch to understand. No need for dictionaries or a glossary of literary devices. Your memory of hap...

Trivia

Did you know Clifton had nine lives like a cat? Talk about good times. (Source.)Langston Hughes had a little something to do with the publication of "good times." (Source.)Did you know Clifton was...

Steaminess Rating

These "good times" are with family, so yeah, we're not getting too sexy here. It's all just plain wholesome fun with grandpa and mom in the kitchen.