“I, Too, Sing America”
by Langston Hughes
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.
Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--
5
10
15
I, too, am America.
Comprehension & Analysis:
1.) What do we know about the speaker of the poem? Explain what you know and
how you know.
2.) Who are the “they” in lines 3 and 16?
3.) Using evidence from the poem, make an inference about what usually happens to
the speaker “when company comes.”
4.) What is the speaker thinking/ hoping/ planning will happen the next time
company comes?
5.) What does the speaker want others to recognize and realize?
6.) Explain the significance of the first and last line.
7.) Describe the setting you picture for this poem and explain.
REMINDER – theme = ___________________________
8.) What is the theme of this poem?
HELPFUL HINT – In literature, tone is the _______________________________
9.) The tone of this poem can best be described as:
OPINION – Do you like this poem? Why or why not? EXPLAIN.