They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us

Nonfiction | Essay Collection | Adult | Published in 2017

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction and Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6 and Afterword

Key Figures

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

Hanif Abdurraqib argues that he’s a poet first and an essayist second. Identify at least three moments where Abdurraqib’s poetic voice comes through. How do these moments change the tone of the essays?

The third section of the collection consists of one essay. What is the significance of having this essay stand on its own?

Each section begins with a snippet of an essay focused on Marvin Gaye’s life. What is the value of spreading this essay across the collection instead of keeping it together?