While Levine credited the phrase “they feed they lion” to a coworker’s observation of zoo meal, it works in symbolic fashion in the poem. “They lion” (Lines 5, 11, 18, 25, 29, 30, 33) is used both as the noun “the lion” and as a verb to suggest human action mimicking that of the animal. Lions are the kings of the jungle due to their size, skill at hunting, and fierce roar. Here, oppressive surroundings have given the Black citizenry no other recourse but to aggressively act to protect their own. Levine seems to the rationale behind this and uses “they lion” to also call to mind mythological, historical, and religious links.

African folklore discusses human beings shifting into lion form and back again. Levine was likely aware of the Ancient Roman practice of feeding prisoners to wild animals, including large cats. The animals were often starved before set upon the prisoners. The lion is often used to represent a messiah of redemption within Jewish faith, and Jesus within Christianity. The lion is said to align with Christ’s courage and foreshadows his second coming where he will judge humanity and rid the world of evil. The

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