The poem I, Too, written by Langston Hughes, uses excellent language, vivid imagery and strong sound
s 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 si
tuated 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 po
et 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. In the first
line, the tone is patriotic. The line, "I, too, sing America," indicates the national anthem, and sy
mbolizes unity throughout the nation. In the next stanza, the tone is of anger and strength. The man
is enraged at how he is treated, but he knows he is strong enough to fight back. This is shown in t
he line, "But I laugh,/ and eat well,/ And grow strong." The following stanza's tone is of warning a
nd caution. The man warns the people, that he will become powerful, and that no one will dare to har
m him in the future. Then in the next stanza, the tone changes once again. The man is much calmer an
d speaks proudly that one day "they'll see how beautiful I am/ And be ashamed." In the last line, th
e tone is once again patriotic.
The poem's structure is irregular. The poem begins and ends with si
ngle lines. In between there are 3 stanzas, all of which have different number of lines-6, 7 and 3.
The purpose for the irregular structure is to create an effect of unequalness, symbolizing the discr
imination he is receiving.
The poem's use of simple language helps to clearly define what the poet
wants to express. The saying that "strong people don't waste words," is shown here, as the poem is s
hort and to the point. It could also reflect the uneducated class, or the clarity and simplicity of
their just complaint. The poem is also made more effective by using words with deeper meanings. For
example, the word, "brother," means family and symbolizes equality and acceptance. Another example,
"sit at the table," has its literal meaning, and also a second meaning, indicating politics and bein
g involved in making decisions. The fact that the poem is short and simple but can express so much m
eaning shows how the diction of this poem adds to its effectiveness.
Likewise, the use of imagery i
n this poem adds to the poem's effectiveness. The poet uses a lot of domestic images. The reader can
picture the large house of a wealthy family, the kitchen- the servant's quarters- and the dining ro
om. The poem also contains a few metaphors and symbols. Metaphors and symbols are used because they
say what we want to say, more vividly and forcefully. In the line, "I am the darker brother," the pe
rson is comparing himself to a family member. It is clear that he is not part of his employer's fami
ly, but here the word "brother" symbolizes equality and acceptance into a society. An example of sym
bolism used in this poem is seen in the line, "They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes
." It has two meanings. The literal meaning means the employers send him away when guests arrive. Th
e other meaning means America trying to conceal her racial "problems" to show the world a different
image of the country. Another example is "I'll sit at the table." The literal meaning just means to
sit at a table, but it also symbolizes being in charge and making decisions. These comparisons and s
ymbols illustrate the point so well that they increase the effectiveness of the poem.
The poem is o
f irregular rhythm as it is more effective this way. A steady rhythm would make the poem sound as if
life was going along smoothly- not the effect the poet wanted. Instead, its irregular rhythm gives
the poem a solemn feeling. This rhythm mirrors the uneasy and unsteady social relationship between b
lacks and whites in America.
The poem contains a few examples of alliteration and repetition. The l
ine "When company comes," is an example of alliteration and repetition. The consonant "c" is repeate
d twice in the line, emphasizing the words, especially "company." The alliteration and repetition of
the line also stresses the theme of the poem- that America is trying to conceal her racial "problem
s" and show the world a different picture.
The poem "I, Too," is a poem about discrimination. Throu
gh the unjust actions done to the man, the reader is shown how unequal privilege and decision making
power is in American society. However, also through the man's strength and bravery, the reader can
see hope in the world- hope that one day, all people will be equal. The poet's use of great imagery
and sound helped to make this poem an effective anti-discrimination poem.
poem written langston hu
ghes uses excellent language vivid imagery strong sounds express poet feelings towards racism anti d
iscrimination poem which shows injustice racism poem very effective because genuine emotions situate
d america describes black personal experience with racial discrimination treated embarrassment white
people made feel inferior them poet trying show america covers racial discrimination problems also
wants convey importance racial equality wants reader understand that this just personal experience v
oice people tone changes throughout first line tone patriotic line sing america indicates national a
nthem symbolizes unity throughout nation next stanza tone anger strength enraged treated knows stron
g enough fight back this shown line laugh well grow strong following stanza warning caution warns pe
ople that will become powerful that will dare harm future then next stanza changes once again much c
almer speaks proudly they beautiful ashamed last once again patriotic structure irregular begins end
s with single lines between there stanzas which have different number lines purpose irregular struct
ure create effect unequalness symbolizing receiving simple language helps clearly define what poet w
ants express saying waste words shown here short point could also reflect uneducated class clarity s
implicity their just complaint also made more effective using words with deeper meanings example wor
d brother means family symbolizes equality acceptance another example table literal meaning second m
eaning indicating politics being involved making decisions fact short simple express much meaning sh
ows diction this adds effectiveness likewise imagery adds effectiveness uses domestic images reader
picture large house wealthy family kitchen servant quarters dining room contains metaphors symbols m
etaphors symbols used because they what want more vividly forcefully darker brother person comparing
himself family member clear part employer here word brother symbolizes equality acceptance into soc
iety example symbolism used seen they send kitchen when company comes meanings literal means employe
rs send away when guests arrive other means trying conceal problems show world different image count
ry another table literal just table being charge making decisions these comparisons symbols illustra
te point well increase effectiveness irregular rhythm more effective steady rhythm would make sound
life going along smoothly effect wanted instead rhythm gives solemn feeling mirrors uneasy unsteady
social relationship between blacks whites contains examples alliteration repetition when company com
es alliteration repetition consonant repeated twice emphasizing words especially company alliteratio
n repetition stresses theme trying conceal problems show world different picture about through unjus
t actions done reader shown unequal privilege decision making power american society however through
strength bravery hope world hope will equal great imagery sound helped make antiEssay, essays, term
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