Analysis Of If We Must Die By Claude Mckay

In the poem “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay, it is intended to strike a cord of bravery and a will to fight in those who read it. The poem “If We Must Die”, was written with passion from a perceptive of a African American during segregation in 1919. McKay intended the poem to inspire his African American counterparts to not give into the ruling race at the time, and to fight for equality for all. A obvious point in the poem, sought by all is the fact the poem is about not giving up. The poem is about how violence influences and shapes ones life, that one is to choose if they are going to let the violence take over them or are they going to fight and not show weakness, even when the odds are stacked against them. In “If We Must Die” it infers that the one reading is going to die eventually, why not fight for what the reader …show more content…
Before the poem was created it was relevant in fights with faith and beliefs that one should stay strong. Through the Crusades to now history has came around and now it is the Christians and also Muslims who refuse terrorists, who need these words of wisdom. To not just sit there and let the evil of the world walk over ones self, but to keep fighting until the end and make “even the monsters we defy Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!”(McKay, 1919). In conclusion, the poem “If We Must Die”, is a beacon of hope and cry to inspire the weak to fight for what they believe in. Even when the odds are stacked against one, one should not let the evil win by taking ones spirit. The poem inspires much more than to fight to be brave but to stay strong in ones faith. McKay may have at the time intended the poem to solely mean about his fight for equality and to depart from segregation. But the poem is a meaning of hope and strength to encourage and inspire the “weak” to inspire the “little guys” to keep fighting until the evil has to respect you for your fighting