In the 1900s, the effects of Jim Crow laws, segregation, and general racism became a hallmark of its time period and a major challenge for black Americans to overcome. In “America” by Claude McKay, although McKay loves the feeling he derives from overcoming the prejudiced challenges America contains, he sees a future where inequalities will fade leading to a truly inclusive America. Langston Hughes, in “I, Too, Sing America,” offers another perspective in which he feels he has no voice in contemporary America, yet sees a future in which his voice will not be questioned. While both Hughes and McKay feel hope in the future of America, Hughes strives in the prejudiced challenges of the current state of America, while McKay feels as if he is a
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In this metaphor, America is not a song, but an idea of freedom and quality which Hughes does not have in the present. He then notes how he is “the darker brother”. This analogy is meant to contextualize the poem as one being given by a black American in a time when race determines your role. He then notes how he is sent “to eat in the kitchen” when company arrives. Hughes is using a form of metonymy where the company represents the white Americans, and the black person being sent to the kitchen symbolizes how black people are constantly being denied the opportunities given to white people. In addition, Hughes uses this metonymy to strike a resemblance to the antebellum period where slaves would not eat at the same table as their masters. Hughes, however, laughs and eats well to grow strong. In doing so, we note how although he is discontent with his own status he seeks to improve himself. In this aspect, Hughes has employed a synecdoche to represent African Americans as himself and show their growth as a community. Hughes then states that tomorrow he will sit “at the table” and when company comes, no one will tell him to “eat in the kitchen”. To this end, tomorrow is a synecdoche for the future. The table is a metaphor that represents the opportunities given to white people. The idea that no one will tell him to “eat in the kitchen” represents how his status will not be brought into question or challenged. Hughes is visualizing a future of equality. He ends his poem noting how they (white people) will “be ashamed” as “I [Hughes], too, am America.” Hughes is asserting that in the future he will not just “sing America,” but will have the same rights and voice as white
In this metaphor, America is not a song, but an idea of freedom and quality which Hughes does not have in the present. He then notes how he is “the darker brother”. This analogy is meant to contextualize the poem as one being given by a black American in a time when race determines your role. He then notes how he is sent “to eat in the kitchen” when company arrives. Hughes is using a form of metonymy where the company represents the white Americans, and the black person being sent to the kitchen symbolizes how black people are constantly being denied the opportunities given to white people. In addition, Hughes uses this metonymy to strike a resemblance to the antebellum period where slaves would not eat at the same table as their masters. Hughes, however, laughs and eats well to grow strong. In doing so, we note how although he is discontent with his own status he seeks to improve himself. In this aspect, Hughes has employed a synecdoche to represent African Americans as himself and show their growth as a community. Hughes then states that tomorrow he will sit “at the table” and when company comes, no one will tell him to “eat in the kitchen”. To this end, tomorrow is a synecdoche for the future. The table is a metaphor that represents the opportunities given to white people. The idea that no one will tell him to “eat in the kitchen” represents how his status will not be brought into question or challenged. Hughes is visualizing a future of equality. He ends his poem noting how they (white people) will “be ashamed” as “I [Hughes], too, am America.” Hughes is asserting that in the future he will not just “sing America,” but will have the same rights and voice as white