Chapter 40 Summary: To the Black Donald Trump Supporters

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

In this brief poem, Francisco addresses Black supporters of Donald Trump by drawing on a scene from Disney’s The Lion King. He recalls the moment Rafiki lifts Simba above the crowd while zebras and antelopes celebrate—an image of jubilant animals unaware that a lion is a predator, not a friend. The poet then shifts to a blunt warning: a meal cannot be friends with a mouth, especially when it is always feeding time. The poem uses this metaphor to critique Black Trump supporters for aligning with a political figure whose policies and rhetoric, in Francisco’s view, harm their own community. The piece is a direct, confrontational challenge to the idea that such support is rational or reciprocated.

Key Events

The poem opens by asking readers to recall the iconic Lion King scene where Rafiki presents Simba to the animal kingdom.
Francisco notes the celebration of the prey animals—zebras and antelopes—as if they are unaware of the danger a lion poses.
The poet delivers an analogy: a meal (the prey) cannot be friends with a mouth (the predator).
The closing line, “It’s always / feeding time,” underlines the constant, inevitable nature of predation in this political metaphor.

Character Development

Simba / the lion – Represents a predator or political leader who will eventually act against the interests of those who celebrate him. No development; the lion is a fixed symbol.
Zebras / antelopes – Stand for Black Trump supporters who cheer a figure whose policies may ultimately harm them. They are presented as misguided and shortsighted. No growth; they remain naive within the poem.
Rafiki – The facilitator of the celebration; a neutral symbol of the spectacle. His role is not analyzed further.

No human characters are named or developed beyond these animal allegories.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Predator–prey metaphor – The central symbol: a lion (political power) and the animals who celebrate him (voters). Francisco uses this to argue that Black Trump supporters are unwitting prey cheering their own consumption.
Self‑deception – The animals celebrate despite the obvious danger; the poem suggests that supporting a political figure who does not serve your interests requires ignoring reality.
Hunger / feeding time – A motif that recurs at the end. The predator is always hungry, meaning the harmful effects of such political alignment are constant, not occasional.
Disney reference – The Lion King serves as a shared cultural touchstone. By recontextualizing a beloved scene, Francisco makes his critique more accessible and emotionally resonant.

Why This Chapter Matters

Within I’ll Fly Away, this poem stands out as one of the most politically direct pieces. It does not offer nuance or explore both sides; instead, it delivers a sharp, uncompromising rebuke. The chapter matters because it forces readers—especially those who may identify with the target audience—to confront the contradictions in political loyalty. The brevity and stark imagery amplify its impact. It also demonstrates Francisco’s ability to link popular culture with serious political commentary, a technique he uses elsewhere in the collection. For readers tracking the arc of the book, this poem reinforces the theme of critical self‑awareness and the dangers of placing hope in systems or leaders that do not value you.

Study Questions and Answers

1. What is the primary metaphor in this poem, and how does it create meaning?

The metaphor compares Black Trump supporters to zebras and antelopes celebrating a lion (Simba). The lion represents Donald Trump and the political forces he embodies. The prey animals’ joy shows they ignore the predator’s nature. The metaphor works by taking a familiar, innocent scene from The Lion King and showing its dark underside: the lion will eventually eat the celebrants. Thus, the poem argues that supporting Trump is a form of self‑harming delusion.

2. Why does Francisco choose to end the poem with the lines “It’s always / feeding time”?

The ending strips away any illusion that the danger is occasional or avoidable. “Always feeding time” implies that the predatory relationship is constant—the lion never stops being a threat. This reinforces the idea that the harm caused to Black communities by Trump’s policies and rhetoric is not an exception but a steady state. The final line closes the poem with finality, leaving no room for the reader to claim surprise.

3. How does the poem’s use of a Disney reference affect its tone and message?

By evoking The Lion King, Francisco taps into a shared cultural memory that is generally positive and nostalgic. The poem abruptly subverts that warmth, making the critique feel more biting. The contrast between the happy scene and the grim interpretation creates a jarring tone that shocks the reader into reconsidering the politics of celebration. It also makes the argument accessible to a wide audience, including those who might not normally engage with political poetry.