Analytical Essay Comparing "I Hear America Singing, " and "I, Too, Sing America"
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- Category: English
- Date Submitted: 12/12/2011 04:56 PM
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Both Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman, though from different time periods, acknowledge that there is a sense of pride amongst the American work force. Though the term, “American Dream” had not been coined at the time Whitman wrote his famous poem, I Hear America Singing, it acknowledges the concept of pride in ownership through hard work and a dream. Langston Hughes, in his poem I, too, sing America, tells a more somber tale of one day overcoming oppression and becoming a respected part of society. Both Poets use the theme of “pride” to emphasize self worth the people in both poems have.
Langston Hughes, growing up in a time where racial segregation was a prominent problem in America. He also knew that the best way for him to spread his message of equality was through writing. He was the first African American author to support himself through his writing, consequently becoming one of the dominant voices speaking out against racism.
One of his more famous poems, I, too, sing America, is a testament to how blacks in America are not considered equal to whites and that they were ready to push out of oppression. The poem is about a black man who has his own dream of rising up from a family’s shameful son, to a “beautiful” and respected person (16). Each line of this poem was meticulously crafted by Hughes to portray how he saw America. For example, he (the man Langston Hughes writes the poem as) considers himself as equal and important as any member of the family: “I am the darker brother.” (1) The allegorical meaning is continued throughout the rest of the stanza:
They send me to eat in the
Kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong. (2-7)
It is a declaration of humor and sense of ironic humor, which is light, yet noticeable. He emphasizes that he eats better than his master thinks to represent how he will grow strong and fight for his rights and freedom.
Hughes goes on to predict an idealistic, equal, future. He...
Langston Hughes, growing up in a time where racial segregation was a prominent problem in America. He also knew that the best way for him to spread his message of equality was through writing. He was the first African American author to support himself through his writing, consequently becoming one of the dominant voices speaking out against racism.
One of his more famous poems, I, too, sing America, is a testament to how blacks in America are not considered equal to whites and that they were ready to push out of oppression. The poem is about a black man who has his own dream of rising up from a family’s shameful son, to a “beautiful” and respected person (16). Each line of this poem was meticulously crafted by Hughes to portray how he saw America. For example, he (the man Langston Hughes writes the poem as) considers himself as equal and important as any member of the family: “I am the darker brother.” (1) The allegorical meaning is continued throughout the rest of the stanza:
They send me to eat in the
Kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong. (2-7)
It is a declaration of humor and sense of ironic humor, which is light, yet noticeable. He emphasizes that he eats better than his master thinks to represent how he will grow strong and fight for his rights and freedom.
Hughes goes on to predict an idealistic, equal, future. He...