“The White House” is a poem written by Claude McKay in 1919 to express the struggles of African Americans with the Jim Crow Laws. McKay was born in Jamaica and his work consisted of poetry, novels, and scientific texts. During this time in America, African Americans were experiencing harsh segregation laws; which caused McKay to portray the struggles of African Americans trying to fit in the society. Title of the poem “The White house” is referring to the whites and the house refers to the establishment or unity of the whites against the African Americans. Although the mood of this poem is gloomy and negative, the author maintains a tone that motivates the reader. For example, lines 1 and 2 have a negative attitude, but in line 3, McKay shifts
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“The White Houses” refers to the white community that the speaker wants to be a part of. The speaker protests for conformity asking for equality without violence. The first two lines read, “Your door is shut against my tightened face, / And I am sharp as steel with discontent.” McKay uses imagery to help the reader visualize the isolation of African Americans from a society they desire to be a part of. The author shows that he is bold and in control of his actions even though he is not happy with the way his people are being treated. The door leads to the white society but they are left out; it represents the Jim Crow laws that leaves African Americans angry and confused. The “sharp steel” (line 2) shows how angry the speaker is about the decisions of the law-makers. Another meaning of the first line, “Your door is shut against my tightened face” can be the doors of the white house being shut on African Americans. Meaning the government is ignoring the given human rights that every US citizen is guaranteed. McKay’s use of simile in the second line of his poem, “I am sharp as steel with discontent” shows his anger towards the government that don’t care about the African Americans. Also, the speaker shows that as you set barriers, we in unity grow bigger and stronger against your
“The White Houses” refers to the white community that the speaker wants to be a part of. The speaker protests for conformity asking for equality without violence. The first two lines read, “Your door is shut against my tightened face, / And I am sharp as steel with discontent.” McKay uses imagery to help the reader visualize the isolation of African Americans from a society they desire to be a part of. The author shows that he is bold and in control of his actions even though he is not happy with the way his people are being treated. The door leads to the white society but they are left out; it represents the Jim Crow laws that leaves African Americans angry and confused. The “sharp steel” (line 2) shows how angry the speaker is about the decisions of the law-makers. Another meaning of the first line, “Your door is shut against my tightened face” can be the doors of the white house being shut on African Americans. Meaning the government is ignoring the given human rights that every US citizen is guaranteed. McKay’s use of simile in the second line of his poem, “I am sharp as steel with discontent” shows his anger towards the government that don’t care about the African Americans. Also, the speaker shows that as you set barriers, we in unity grow bigger and stronger against your