Poem Analysis: Hog V.'s Man

Hog v.s Man
In nature there is an obvious outline of who is the top predator, which animal has the prime spot. In some individuals they naturally have a greed for hierarchy and dominance over others, either physically or emotionally. Human beings can have an animalistic quality to their actions. During the time period of Claude McKay, the African American community was struggling with racial injustice. There were major difficulties and violence toward African Americans. The African Americas were being suppressed in many ways. In the poem “If We Must Die”, Claude McKay showcases the animalistic qualities of society by comparing animals and people during the Harlem Renaissance period, which helps convey the overall theme of bravery. McKay begins the poem by stating “If we must die, let it not be like hogs, hunted and penned in an inglorious spot”, which compares the death of an individual to the trivial killing of wild animals. McKay is stating that “our” deaths are evident but do not have to be as meaningless as the slaughtering of a hog. McKay is also making a proposition to his allies to not die without providing a fight. When reading the first two lines, the …show more content…
The reader can visualize a terrified hog trying to escape the pack of dog’s intentions. The reader can see the hopelessness of the hog being replaced by bravery. By providing imagery to the reader it allows for the reader to stand in the hog’s place. The purpose is to cause the reader to think, although I am a hog I will not die cowardly. It causes a triumph for the hog, although he will eventually die. The representation of the hog gaining bravery is a humanistic quality that McKay is promoting. The situation of an individual being backed into a corner and cowering or standing tall. The imagery helps with extending the metaphor McKay uses to represent the struggle of African