The poem ‘I too’ written by Langston Hughes focuses on African American identity within the white culture of America. It broaches the history and the issue of oppression of black people concerning slavery and racial inequality.
This paper contains a close reading on the language the author used to emphasize his statement about the issue of racial segregation in America and furthermore interpret and analyze the poem.
Table of Contents
- A close reading of Langston Hughes poem 'I too'
- The first stanza
- Line 4 is the speakers respond
- The second stanza
- The third stanza
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper provides a close reading of Langston Hughes' poem "I, Too," analyzing its language and themes to understand its commentary on racial segregation and identity in America. The analysis focuses on the poem's structure, imagery, and use of repetition to convey the speaker's experience and hope for a future of racial equality.
- Racial identity and belonging in America
- The impact of segregation and oppression
- The speaker's resilience and hope for the future
- The use of figurative language and poetic devices
- The theme of overcoming adversity
Chapter Summaries
A close reading of Langston Hughes poem 'I too': This section delves into Langston Hughes' poem "I, Too," examining its structure as free verse and exploring the significance of the title's repetition of "I too" to establish the speaker's presence and assertion of identity. The analysis explores how the poem's use of personification, metaphor (America as a country and a national anthem), and the speaker's declaration of singing America underlines the central issue of national identity and belonging. The poem's use of short lines and varied meter is analyzed for its contribution to the overall emotional impact of the poem.
The first stanza: This section analyzes the first stanza of the poem, focusing on the speaker's self-identification as "the darker brother" and its ambiguous nature. The ambiguity stems from the brotherhood implication contrasted against the negative racial connotations of "darker." The imagery of being sent to "eat in the kitchen" is examined as a metaphor for segregation and exclusion, representing the speaker's loneliness and the hypocrisy of a society that pretends to be unified while perpetuating inequality. The repetition of the line "When company comes," along with the alliteration, is explored in terms of underlining the societal pretense and the speaker's feeling of being intentionally marginalized. The analysis considers the significance of the social dynamics implied in the scene.
Line 4 is the speakers respond: This section focuses on the speaker's response to being sent away, highlighting his transformation of negativity into positivity. The speaker's actions of laughing, eating well, and growing stronger are analyzed to illustrate the theme of resilience in the face of oppression. The use of positive terms is discussed as a means of creating hope and garnering sympathy. The anaphora of "and" and the use of commas are interpreted as emphasizing the ongoing process of the speaker's growth and transformation. The underlying message about finding strength through adversity is examined.
The second stanza: The analysis of the second stanza centers on the word "Tomorrow" as a metaphor for a future of equality. The speaker's confident assertion that he will be at the table with "company" is interpreted as a symbol of overcoming segregation. The repetition of "When company comes," but this time without a comma and followed by a full stop, signifies the speaker's resolute belief in future change and the finality of his claim to equality. The section explores the contrast between the past experiences of exclusion and the hopeful vision of future inclusion, focusing on the speaker's determination to achieve equal rights.
The third stanza: This part focuses on the third stanza, beginning with "Besides," suggesting a continuation of the speaker's perspective. The idea of the white people ("they") recognizing the speaker's beauty and intrinsic worth, leading to their shame ("ashamed"), is analyzed as the ultimate resolution of the conflict. The hyphen at the end of the poem suggests a continuation of reflection and hope. The analysis considers the poem's ending as a potent statement on the eventual triumph of justice and equality.
Keywords
Racial identity, segregation, oppression, resilience, hope, equality, belonging, America, African American experience, Langston Hughes, free verse, metaphor, personification, imagery.
Langston Hughes' "I, Too": A Close Reading - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of this analysis?
This analysis provides a close reading of Langston Hughes' poem "I, Too," examining its language, themes, and structure to understand its commentary on racial segregation and identity in America. It explores the poem's use of imagery, repetition, and figurative language to convey the speaker's experience and hope for a future of racial equality.
What are the key themes explored in the poem and the analysis?
Key themes include racial identity and belonging in America, the impact of segregation and oppression, the speaker's resilience and hope for the future, and the effective use of figurative language and poetic devices to convey these themes. The overarching theme is overcoming adversity.
How is the poem's structure analyzed?
The analysis examines the poem's structure as free verse, focusing on the significance of the title's repetition ("I, Too") and the impact of short lines and varied meter on the poem's emotional impact. The analysis considers the implications of the poem's three stanzas and the function of various punctuation choices such as the comma and hyphen.
What is the significance of the first stanza?
The first stanza introduces the speaker as "the darker brother" and explores the imagery of being sent to "eat in the kitchen" as a metaphor for segregation and exclusion. The repetition of "When company comes" highlights the societal pretense and the speaker's marginalization. The analysis delves into the ambiguity of the term "darker brother" and its implications.
How does the analysis interpret the speaker's response in line 4?
Line 4 marks a turning point, showing the speaker's transformation of negativity into positivity. The actions of laughing, eating well, and growing stronger illustrate resilience in the face of oppression. The use of positive language creates hope and garners sympathy.
What is the significance of the second stanza?
The second stanza centers on "Tomorrow" as a metaphor for a future of equality. The speaker's confident assertion of being at the table with "company" symbolizes overcoming segregation. The alteration in the use of "When company comes" —without a comma and ending in a full stop—signifies the speaker's resolute belief in future change.
How is the third stanza interpreted?
The third stanza, beginning with "Besides," suggests a continuation of the speaker's perspective. The idea of white people recognizing the speaker's worth and being ashamed highlights the ultimate resolution of the conflict. The hyphen at the end suggests ongoing reflection and hope, pointing to the eventual triumph of justice and equality.
What literary devices are discussed in the analysis?
The analysis discusses several literary devices, including personification, metaphor (America as a country and a national anthem), repetition (anaphora), alliteration, and the use of short lines and varied meter to contribute to the poem's overall effect.
What are the key takeaways from this analysis?
The analysis highlights the power of Langston Hughes' poem in conveying the experience of racial segregation and the enduring hope for equality. It demonstrates how the skillful use of literary techniques enhances the poem's emotional impact and its enduring relevance.
What keywords are associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: Racial identity, segregation, oppression, resilience, hope, equality, belonging, America, African American experience, Langston Hughes, free verse, metaphor, personification, imagery.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2019, A close reading of Langston Hughes poem "I too", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1134731
