Comparing Maya Angelou And Langston Hughes

The Caged America Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes are both famous African American authors and poets. Their works focus on themes like identity, family, travel and racism. Writing on a topic that many people can relate to will not only help me to learn but also the reader. Maya Angelou is a very interesting and engaging author. All of her works have a story behind them. They also allow you to walk away with knowledge of some sort. Angelou was also very involved in current events around the world. Which also adds to their credibility as artists. Moreover, they had many stories to tell, as well as lessons to teach, and people to reach. By choosing them both as the topic of my essay I hope to learn more about their life and rationale behind …show more content…
His used of words attracted and lured many. In his poem titled “I, too, sing America” the whites are forthrightly oppressive toward African Americans. In the poem, the white slave owners make the slaves betake themselves into the kitchen when company is present. As said in the following line, “I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes” "I Too Sing America." Poets.org. Academy of American Poets. Web. 6 Dec. 2014.. This portrays a plain image of the slaves retreating into the kitchen as told. Though they wish to be treated as well as the company. Furthermore, they wish to be treated as well as white America period. For this purpose, Langton Hughes later in the poem describes what it would be like for the slaves if they weren’t maltreated. Despite the mistreatment, he still feels proud to be who he is. He still perseveres. “Besides, they’ll see how beautiful I am, and feel ashamed…” "I Too Sing America." Poets.org. Academy of American Poets. Web. 6 Dec. 2014. Further implying that the oppressors will feel remorseful for the way they treated the slaves/African Americans. Langston Hughes sustained similar theme of racism, self-actualization, and more; much like Maya