Breaking Ground A Smithsonian magazine special report. Langston Hughes powerfully speaks for those excluded. NPG, Winold Reiss c. I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. The African-American, according to W. One critic identifies the opening lines of the poem as illustrative of W. One ever feels his two-ness,—an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.
The speaker does not languish in despair, however. He proclaims that "tomorrow" he will join the others at the table and no one will dare send him back to the kitchen. This statement is extremely hopeful and optimistic. The speaker demonstrates a heightened sense of self and proclaims his ambition to assert his legitimacy as a an American citizen and as a man. The invocation of America is important, for Hughes is expressing his belief that African Americans are a valuable part of the country's population and that he foresees a racially equal society in the near future.
Hughes suggests that even though the circumstances are different for African Americans, they also deserve to experience patriotism. I look at the world From awakening eyes in a black face— And this is what I see: This fenced-off narrow space Assigned to me. I look then at the silly walls Through dark eyes in a dark face— And this is what I know: That all these My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young. I built my hut near the You remember the mermaid makes a deal, her tongue evicted from her throat, and moving is a knife-cut with every step. This is what escape from water means.
But it was High up there! It was high! I could've died for love— But for livin' I was born Though you may hear me holler, And you may see me cry— I'll be dogged, sweet baby, If you gonna see me die. Life is fine! Fine as wine! The Awakening I dreamed that I was a rose That grew beside a lonely way, Close by a path none ever chose, And there I lingered day by day. James Weldon Johnson Academy of American Poets Educator Newsletter.
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