African American Literature can often be characterized by having a dual identity, especially in the early to mid-twentieth 100 years. This dual reality is reflective of the Africa American’s history and present circumstances. Using a heritage of forced migrants into the region, and limited rights and racism following slavery is definitely abolished, there is also a borderline pride and hatred.
It is very feasible to have both of these feelings, and authors disclose this complicated notion throughout the expression of poetry.
Certainly, the copy writers are proud of being Americans, but simultaneously, are always mind of the fact that in the land of opportunity, area of their epidermis will most likely always be not only noticed although also will limit them and the children. There are many texts that portray this dual personality of the Dark-colored, including Langston Hughes’s “Theme for English B” and Claude McKay’s “America”. Through “Theme pertaining to English B” Hughes explores his blended identity: “So will my own page always be colored that I write? Being me, it will not be white” (26-27).
Before this kind of, he pinpoints himself while the only dark-colored student in his class, which will seems to be faraway from Harlem, and that he resides in Harlem. This individual spends his time at the majority dark-colored Harlem, yet he is learning in a generally white location, from white colored professors. This individual hears the two Harlem and New York, and thus can identify with the dark (Harlem) and the larger photo of New York (America). He explains this is certainly part of becoming American, diverse and yet working together, if designed for the benefit of the other person, then for the benefit of the nation.
He understands that his mentor and him self often “don’t want to be a part” (35) of each different, but neither of them possess a choice. I think that it is important to note that Barnes emphasizes his own unwillingness to be a portion of the white person This may reveal the pressured immigration of slavery, or just his very own deterrence away from “whiteness”, although it is necessary for him to achieve his education. McKay has a much bitterer viewpoint of his America. The poem “America”, when compared with “Theme to get English B” has a much darker and critical strengthen of America, beginning with the first line “Although your woman feeds me personally bread of bitterness”(1).
Starting the composition like this immediately creates the sensation of paradoxon that McKay is trying to share. Although the speaker is being given, it is with foul sampling nourishment, certainly not the kind that you would expect in the United States. The paradoxon is additional heightened through the idea of existence and death occurring simultaneously: “Stealing my personal breath of life, I will confess I like this classy hell that steals my own youth” (3-4). A “cultured hell” is an interesting expression to use since it is so sudden. It shows the lifestyle of America, perhaps both of black and white colored culture that is creating this kind of a tumultuous environment.
However I doubt that this will be any better than an uncultured hell. It truly is this country that creates and destroys, adores and hates at the same time. It really is in this paradox of impossibilities that opens multiple options. It is all this confusion and acknowledgement of inequality that creates the speaker “strength against her hate” (6). But this one man heading against the nation and the tradition of hate and appeasement of that hate can barely make a dent if “Her bigness sweeps me like a flood” (7).
The stand that the audio is choosing against and for the country will not be going anywhere, but the are able to see a time down the road where “beneath the contact of Time’s unerring hand, like priceless treasures tragedy in the sand” (13-14) America’s current tradition would be left. Although this is interpreted while the downfall of the region, I see that as the downfall from the current tradition of America. This is not an anti-America poem, but rather 1 dedicated to an improved one, and towards the construction of a lifestyle that sees all People in the usa.
