How is Hughes America different from that of Whitman?

How is Hughes America different from that of Whitman?

Whitman and Hughes explore the pursuit of the American Dream using figurative language; however, Whitman celebrates the situation of individual efforts of Americans whereas Hughes focuses on the collective situation of struggle by African Americans. focus on racial inequality.

What two ways is Langston Hughes I too similar or different from Walt Whitman’s I Hear America Singing?

Langston Hughes’s “I, Too” is a response to Walt Whitman’s “I Hear America Singing.” The two poems are similar in that they both are celebrating the possibilities of America. Second, the poems are alike in being lyrical, first-person responses to the American experience. They are both subjective and emotional.

How does Langston Hughes identify in I too am America?

In the short poem, Hughes proclaims that he, too, is an American, even though the dominant members of society are constantly pushing him aside and hiding him away because he is African American. Even though Hughes feels ostracized because of his race, he still sings as an American.

How is the poem I too similar to I Hear America Singing?

A similarity between “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman and “I, Too” by Langston Hughes is that both address American identity, and a difference between them is that Hughes’s poem includes the experiences and perspectives of people of color while Whitman’s appears to not include them.

Is I, Too sing America a response to Walt Whitman?

The opening line of the poem (“I, too, sing America”) is a direct response to Whitman’s “I Hear America Singing.” Hughes’ word-choice is important here. However, Hughes expresses defiance in being excluded from the dinner table: “But I laugh,/ And eat well,/ And grow strong.” Overall, Hughes’ poem is optimistic.

How does I respond to Whitman?

The speaker of “I, Too” objects to this exclusion. The opening line of the poem should be seen as a direct response to Whitman. The speaker insists that he is also part of the American song. It is a line of free verse (and the rest of the poem will continue to be in free verse).

Is I too a response to I Hear America Singing?

In 1925, Hughes wrote a poem titled “I, Too” was inspired by and directed in response to the poem “I Hear America Singing”, which was composed by Whitman much earlier. Hughes took the initiative to speak his mind via poetry, resulting in his piece “I, Too”.

Why does Walt Whitman use free verse in I Hear America Singing?

Free Verse He was so over regular rhyme and meter. For Whitman, free verse meant Freedom (with a capital “F”). For this poet, free verse was all about having the freedom to discover and create his own forms, which—like a true American original—is exactly what ol’ Walt did.

What is the message of the poem I, Too?

“I, Too” is a cry of protest against American racism. Its speaker, a black man, laments the way that he is excluded from American society—even though he is a key part of it. It describes the way that white people treat black people and black contributions to American culture.

What is the main theme of I, Too by Langston Hughes?

The main theme of Langston Hughes’s “I, Too” is racism. More specifically, the poem deals with the lines that are drawn between blacks and whites in the United States, which seem to disregard the fact that black Americans “sing America” too.

What is the main idea of the poem I Hear America Singing?

Major Themes in “I Hear America Singing”: Freedom, growth, and dignity are the major themes of this poem. The poem speaks about the freedom people enjoy in America. Throughout the poem, everyone has their own song which means everyone is important.