Langston Hughes' “I, Too, Sing America” is a beautifully composed poem that explores the concept of racial inequality in American society. Before reading the poem, it is evident that the first person point of view is used in the title which is “I.” Therefore, it can be concluded that Hughes is most possibly reflecting on his own experiences or events that relate to his life in some manner through this poem. However, it was not clear whatHughes meant by “sing America,” but it seemed that the poet is appealing to the expression of pride for his country, United States of America. The poem begins with the same phrase as the poem title “I, Too, Sing America.” The fact that Hughes repeats this phrase again in the body of the poem shows emphasis and the importance of this phrase in the message he hopes to convey through his writing. In the poem, the speaker describes the fact that he is the darker brother and how he is usually sent to the back of the kitchen to eat when people come over. However, the speaker dreams of a time when he will be able to eat at the table without being reproached and sent to the kitchen again. Then, the speaker qualifies his claim by saying that others will start to see his beauty and look shamefully at their previous acts of condemnation towards him (Hughes).
The speaker in this poem appears to be an African American slave especially since the fact that he was sent to the kitchen appears to be a master's command to his slave. However, it should also be noted that the speaker is a representation of the whole African American society in this poem. Although this poem is short in length, there is a deeper meaning beyond its surface level simplicity especially in the symbolism that Hughes uses throughout the poem. First of all, the “darker brother” is a representation of the African American community in the United States of America. This portion of the poem introduces the concept of race. The fact that the speaker was sent back into the kitchen when guests arrived points out the idea that African Americans were treated inferior and unequal in this time period due to their skin color. Likewise, critics claim, "The kitchen serves as a metaphor to demonstrate the segregation and exclusion that African Americans were subjected to in the first half of the 20th century" (Bouchard). Although they are treated so unpleasantly in their society, African Americans still remain hopeful and their desire for freedom increases. Although times of inequality are present, the speaker talks about “tomorrow” which is undoubtedly a symbol of the future. The speaker envisions a time when he will be able to sit at the “table” which represents the time in which African Americans will attain equality despite their color. When the speaker says that he will no longer be shunned to the back of the kitchen, this is a clear representation of a time when African Americans will finally receive the recognition of being human rather than being viewed as mere property that can be controlled. When he projects the time when those who previously shunned the speaker finally see his beauty, this marks the time when Caucasians will be ashamed as they finally realize that African Americans are equal. Then, the speaker ends with the powerful claim that “I, too, am America” in order to display how attaining freedom will finally allow him to be part of an American society which he was previously pushed away from. The tone of this poem is clearly hopeful because the speaker anticipates a time when America will truly be a country of equality especially for his people. After inspecting the poem, it is evident that there is a shift in this poem in between the first and second stanza as he moves from being at the kitchen to being able to sit at the table. Although he was treated as a disgrace due to his color, he believes that the passage of time will allow him to be accepted by American society as an equal. In this poem, the speaker is essentially representing the whole African American race. When examining the title again, it is evident that “I, Too, Sing America” has a deep meaning which points to the idea that the speaker still take pride in being part of America even though he is shut off from society due to racial discrimination. Most importantly, “I, Too, Sing America” explores the theme that hope is necessary for overcoming obstacles. Indeed, racial inequality was a barrier for African Americans as it restricted their freedom. However, Hughes makes it clear that hope for a transformation in the future will allow African Americans to attain the equality which they dearly yearn for.
This work depicts racial inequality since African Americans were discriminated and pushed to a corner of society prior to the 21st century. The fact that the speaker was sent to the kitchen shows how African Americans were seen as inferior and were under the control of the supposedly superior whites. During times of slavery, African Americans had no voice in society and were treated like property which people bought and sold rather than human beings. After receiving freedom through the emancipation proclamation in 1863, those of African descent continued to experience disparity in rights in the first half of the 20th century. As a whole, the American society was reluctant in accepting them as their equal counterparts. With the establishment of the Jim Crow laws, everything including restrooms and water fountains was segregated. Moreover, there was targeted violence against African Americans as they were often lynched and ridiculed publicly. Essentially, "I, Too, Sing America is a clear representation of racial inequality as this piece explores the times when African Americans were denied equal opportunity and were dehumanized.
The speaker in this poem appears to be an African American slave especially since the fact that he was sent to the kitchen appears to be a master's command to his slave. However, it should also be noted that the speaker is a representation of the whole African American society in this poem. Although this poem is short in length, there is a deeper meaning beyond its surface level simplicity especially in the symbolism that Hughes uses throughout the poem. First of all, the “darker brother” is a representation of the African American community in the United States of America. This portion of the poem introduces the concept of race. The fact that the speaker was sent back into the kitchen when guests arrived points out the idea that African Americans were treated inferior and unequal in this time period due to their skin color. Likewise, critics claim, "The kitchen serves as a metaphor to demonstrate the segregation and exclusion that African Americans were subjected to in the first half of the 20th century" (Bouchard). Although they are treated so unpleasantly in their society, African Americans still remain hopeful and their desire for freedom increases. Although times of inequality are present, the speaker talks about “tomorrow” which is undoubtedly a symbol of the future. The speaker envisions a time when he will be able to sit at the “table” which represents the time in which African Americans will attain equality despite their color. When the speaker says that he will no longer be shunned to the back of the kitchen, this is a clear representation of a time when African Americans will finally receive the recognition of being human rather than being viewed as mere property that can be controlled. When he projects the time when those who previously shunned the speaker finally see his beauty, this marks the time when Caucasians will be ashamed as they finally realize that African Americans are equal. Then, the speaker ends with the powerful claim that “I, too, am America” in order to display how attaining freedom will finally allow him to be part of an American society which he was previously pushed away from. The tone of this poem is clearly hopeful because the speaker anticipates a time when America will truly be a country of equality especially for his people. After inspecting the poem, it is evident that there is a shift in this poem in between the first and second stanza as he moves from being at the kitchen to being able to sit at the table. Although he was treated as a disgrace due to his color, he believes that the passage of time will allow him to be accepted by American society as an equal. In this poem, the speaker is essentially representing the whole African American race. When examining the title again, it is evident that “I, Too, Sing America” has a deep meaning which points to the idea that the speaker still take pride in being part of America even though he is shut off from society due to racial discrimination. Most importantly, “I, Too, Sing America” explores the theme that hope is necessary for overcoming obstacles. Indeed, racial inequality was a barrier for African Americans as it restricted their freedom. However, Hughes makes it clear that hope for a transformation in the future will allow African Americans to attain the equality which they dearly yearn for.
This work depicts racial inequality since African Americans were discriminated and pushed to a corner of society prior to the 21st century. The fact that the speaker was sent to the kitchen shows how African Americans were seen as inferior and were under the control of the supposedly superior whites. During times of slavery, African Americans had no voice in society and were treated like property which people bought and sold rather than human beings. After receiving freedom through the emancipation proclamation in 1863, those of African descent continued to experience disparity in rights in the first half of the 20th century. As a whole, the American society was reluctant in accepting them as their equal counterparts. With the establishment of the Jim Crow laws, everything including restrooms and water fountains was segregated. Moreover, there was targeted violence against African Americans as they were often lynched and ridiculed publicly. Essentially, "I, Too, Sing America is a clear representation of racial inequality as this piece explores the times when African Americans were denied equal opportunity and were dehumanized.