Response to Langston Hughes' Poem I, too, sing America

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Hughes, Langston. “I Too. Sing America.”

New York Times 5 Jan 2010: A16

Online.

[Summary]

This poem is about the struggle of a working minority, a black man, suffering the

hardship of unfair labor. Langston Hughes gives out such a real and positive impact

on the read, too which makes them think about how they can hope for the future. '' But I

laugh, And eat well, And grow strong '' This doesn't only suggest that he is getting

stronger physically but also mentally which states that he doesn't take the slavery

personal and hopes for tomorrow and he knows that tomorrow will be better and he

believes that slavery will be stopped, and white people will see how beautiful his people

are and appreciate them.. In the poem, Hughes states "I am the darker brother," although

his skin is darker, nonetheless, he's a brother, a part of society, he's America. Then he

goes on to say that when company arrives, he's sent to the kitchen. "But I laugh, And eat

well, And grow strong." This sort of positive, humorous yet ironic tone foreshadows hope

and determination, later on in the poem. The second stanza, symbolizes growth. The first

stanza being the present and the second stanza being the future. Then in the last stanza he

states "They'll see how beautiful I am," yes, just like the song, America the Beautiful

.Then next line says " And be ashamed--" They will be ashamed for bringing down

America the Beautiful, America, the black man, the worker...America.

[Style Analysis]

"I, too, sing America". This meter in particular is as important as the entirety of

the poem. It means not only whites ar...

... middle of paper ...

...d strong sounds to express the poet’s feelings towards racism. I, Too is an

anti-discrimination poem, which shows the injustice of racism. The poem is very

effective because of its genuine emotions. The poem is situated in America and describes

a black man’s personal experience with racial discrimination. He is treated as if he is an

embarrassment to the white people, and made to feel inferior to them. The poet is trying

to show how America “covers up” her racial discrimination “problems.” He also wants to

convey the importance of racial equality. He wants the reader to understand that this is

not just a personal experience, but a voice of his people. The tone changes throughout the

poem.

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