The Poem Called Let America Be America Again and I Too

Langston Hughes' poem 'I, Likewise, Sing America' is an incredibly personal poem Hughes wrote during the Harlem Renaissance. The poem expresses how he felt like an unforgotten American citizen because of his pare color.  In the brusque poem, Hughes proclaims that he, also, is an American, fifty-fifty though the ascendant members of gild are constantly pushing him aside and hiding him away because he is an African American.

Even though Hughes feels ostracized because of his race, he still sings like an American.  Hughes turned to poesy to speak out against the blatant racism and oppression surrounding the Black customs, and this poem is no exception.  Although curt in length, it delivers a powerful message nigh how many African Americans felt—and still experience—in America.

Summary

'I, Too, Sing America,' the speaker, probably Hughes himself, is proclaiming to the world that he, too, is an American.

He, likewise, sings America.  He refers to himself as "the darker brother," and even though he is not allowed to be seen every bit an equal among men in his country—he is continually subconscious abroad by the white majority– he is still an of import and integral function of America.  Fifty-fifty though the poem is dealing with a very painful subject—racism—the poet and speaker are nevertheless hopeful that 1 day soon, the powers that exist will be aback of the way they have treated African Americans, and they volition run across that they are also a part of the land.

Langston Hughes' verse form, 'I, Too, Sing America,' can be read in full hither.

Structure and Form

In 'I, Also, Sing America,' the poet Langston Hughes utilizes free verse. This ways that the poet makes use of no rhyme scheme or metrical design. This adds a conversational feeling to the slice. The poem is very cursory, containing but 5 stanzas, two of which are but i line long.  In total, in that location are only eighteen lines to the work.  Yet, the simplicity of the poem does non detract from the powerful message of the work.  Instead, it emphasizes it even more than.

Literary Devices

Throughout this piece, the poet makes use of several literary devices. For example:

• Ingemination: occurs when the poet repeats the same consonant sound at the beignning of multiple words. For example:
• Allusion: can be seen when the poet references something that is outside the scope of the poem. In this example, Hughes alludes to the Civil Rights move in the United States and themes similar equality, identity, and more.
• Enjambment: tin can be seen when the poet cuts off a line before its natural stopping indicate. For example, the transition between lines two and three of stanza ii and lines four and five of stanza three.

Detailed Assay

Stanza One

I, too, sing America.

The showtime line of the verse form, which is as well the beginning stanza, says, "I, too, sing America."  The pronoun "I" shows the reader that this is a very personal poem, and it tin be inferred that our poet, Hughes, is also our speaker.  This is his anthem.

One cannot help but compare this line—and indeed, the entire verse form—to another cherished American classic, Walt Whitman's 'I Hear America Singing,' written in 1867, where Whitman describes all sorts of Americans who collectively make upwards the song of America.

Stanza Two

I am the darker brother.
(…)
And grow potent.

These two lines depict the atmospheric condition of separation and segregation of Black Americans. Even after slavery was abolished in united states of america, many African Americans were still forced to work for the white man, and many of these men paid Black Americans to work in their houses as butlers, cooks, maids, and drivers. Hughes also calls out the hypocrisy African Americans are forced to endure. Hughes calls himself a "brother," Perhaps many whites have recognized the abolition of slavery, only they even so do not want to be seen as equals to African Americans.

When the visitor comes over, they strength their Black "brothers" to hide in the kitchen to eat by themselves. Hughes is quick to let the reader know that promise is not lost. In the concluding three lines of the second stanza, he writes, "But I laugh,/ And eat well,/ And abound strong." Despite his treatment, the speaker refuses to be kept down. He is yet happy. He is even so healthy. And he is yet able to grow, both physically and mentally.

Stanza Three

Tomorrow,
(…)
And then.

'I, Too, Sing America' was written in the present tense, whereas the tertiary stanza looks toward the future. The 8th line of the poem reads "Tomorrow," and the reader can assume the speaker does not literally mean tomorrow, but perhaps onetime soon. "Tomorrow," the speaker says, "I'll sit at the table/When company comes." The speaker is hopeful that he will not ever be hidden abroad, and someday, he will sit at the tabular array with the other Americans. At some point, the speaker knows that the African American will finally be seen as the white man's equal.

Stanza Four

Besides,
(…)
And be aback—

The fourth stanza, comprised of only 3 lines, continues the tertiary.  Hughes takes the thoughts expressed in the third stanza one step further in the fourth. Not but will he and other African Americans finally be seen as equal, merely those who had oppressed them for hundreds of years will finally feel ashamed for what they did. They will recognize the beauty and vitality of the African Americans and realize their wrongs.

Stanza Five

I, too, am America.

Just every bit he began with a one-line stanza, Hughes ends his poem with one, besides.  He writes, "I, too, am America."  While the first line could stand for patriotism, he feels similar an American. This declaration is even stronger—he, besides, is America. The utilize of this metaphor to end the poem has a very powerful event, and he is proclaiming to his reader that he is but as important as everyone else in the land, and he will not exist denied.

Historical Context

Langston Hughes was born in 1902 and died in 1967, and during the span of his lifetime, he saw America grow and evolve when it came to equal rights for minorities.  Fifty-fifty though slavery had been abolished years before he was born, Hughes still encountered blatant racism and oppression equally a Blackness human.  His writings oftentimes represent this oppression, and through his poetry, he fights the majority and sings the praises of his fellow African Americans.

Fortunately, Hughes lived long enough to run across the Ceremonious Rights Act of 1964 become law; however, the struggles of African Americans and other minority groups continue to exist in the U.s.a. today.

FAQs

What is the tone of 'I, As well, Sing America?'

The tone is passionate. The poet is exploring a subject area that is very close to his heart and is 1 of the, if not the, most important subjects in his body of work– racial segregation and inequality.

What are the themes in 'I, Likewise, Sing America?'

He explores themes similar equality, oppression, and the Black feel. The poet taps into his own experience and that of men (and women) that he knows and expresses his desire to be treated the same as whatsoever other American.

Who is the speaker in 'I, Too, Sing America?'

The speaker is Langston Hughes himself. Or, readers tin can also interpret the speaker equally any Blackness homo living in the United States. Although the verse form was written in the mid-1900s, it is nonetheless relatable to this day.

Why did Langston Hughes write 'I, Too, Sing America?'

Hughes wrote this verse form in gild to express his personal experience as an American during his lifetime. He wanted to explore the equality, or lack thereof, in everyday American life. He is thinking almost how he is treated every bit a citizen as well as a human being.

What is the significant of 'I, Besides, Sing America?'

The meaning is that all men, women, and children, regardless of their race or gender, should be treated every bit equal citizens. Hughes is speaking for himself and for the Blackness community only, the poem can exist meaningful to many unlike people.

What figurative language is used in 'I, Also, Sing America?'

The poet uses examples metaphors and imagery in 'I, Too, Sing America'. Hughes was an incredibly skilled writer who employ his piece of work to explore the experience of Black Americans. His use of figurative linguistic communication only makes his work more than impactful.

What is the point that the poem, 'I, Too, Sing America' is trying to make?

The poem 'I, As well, Sing America' is trying to make the betoken that all people no matter the color of their peel color should be treated every bit. Hughes knows that "yous" the intended listener, and the i who is metaphorically oppressing him and other Black Americans, will realize how "beautiful" he is and be "aback" of their actions.

Similar Poetry

Readers who enjoyed this piece should also consider reading another Langston Hughes poems. For example:

• ' Beale Street Love ' – a short, powerful verse form that speaks on the nature of love on Beale Street, an African American cultural hub.
• ' Dreams ' – focuses on the importance of dreams and how they might die.
• ' Democracy ' – is focused on the fight for equal rights under the police including the power to vote for African Americans.

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Source: https://poemanalysis.com/langston-hughes/i-too-sing-america/

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