poem
410201045黃鈺婷Tiffany
410201013雷皓天Jacky
Dr. C. J. Yang
Readings in poetry ( = 1 \* ROMAN I)
Langston Hughes, “Cross” (pp.48-49)
29 October, 2014
Paraphrase:
My father is old and white,and my mother is old and black.If I have ever wished my father ill,I take the bad wish back.
If I have ever cursed my mother and wished that she should go to hell,I feel sorry for the curses.Now,I wish that she is well.
My rich white father died in a nice big house,but my poor black mother died in a simple hut. I wonder where I will die,since I am neither white nor a black man?
Question 1
What different denotations does the title have? What connotations are linked to each of them?
The title of the poem contains several meanings, all of which underscore the main theme. This poem relates to the speaker’s inner turmoil because if his mixed racial ancestry.First of all,“crossˮcan mean“angry.ˮThe speaker was angry, or “cross,”with his father and mother for their passing on to him an amalgam of genes. After his anger subsides, he forgives them but still feels puzzled about his own background.Next, “crossˮis associated with “crucifixion.ˮHis hybridity is a burden,like a cross to bear.This association relates to the suffering of Jesus Christ,who must tolerate the pain of being crucified.Namely,his background will leave to him the trauma forever.Third, “crossˮindicates“a mixture of both.ˮBecause of his white father and black mother,the speaker is a“cross-breed.ˮThen, the tittle also points out the dilemma of the speaker.Symbolically,he is standing at an intersection,“a cross road,ˮand has no idea about in which direction he should move on. Finally,to“crossˮmeans to“traverse. ˮAs half black and half white,the speaker means to go across some limits existing between the two difference races.He tries to makes a crossover from his inherent background and previous emotions to a certain new stage.At first,the speaker admits that he was angry or cross at both of his parents,but,he tries to
410201013雷皓天Jacky
Dr. C. J. Yang
Readings in poetry ( = 1 \* ROMAN I)
Langston Hughes, “Cross” (pp.48-49)
29 October, 2014
Paraphrase:
My father is old and white,and my mother is old and black.If I have ever wished my father ill,I take the bad wish back.
If I have ever cursed my mother and wished that she should go to hell,I feel sorry for the curses.Now,I wish that she is well.
My rich white father died in a nice big house,but my poor black mother died in a simple hut. I wonder where I will die,since I am neither white nor a black man?
Question 1
What different denotations does the title have? What connotations are linked to each of them?
The title of the poem contains several meanings, all of which underscore the main theme. This poem relates to the speaker’s inner turmoil because if his mixed racial ancestry.First of all,“crossˮcan mean“angry.ˮThe speaker was angry, or “cross,”with his father and mother for their passing on to him an amalgam of genes. After his anger subsides, he forgives them but still feels puzzled about his own background.Next, “crossˮis associated with “crucifixion.ˮHis hybridity is a burden,like a cross to bear.This association relates to the suffering of Jesus Christ,who must tolerate the pain of being crucified.Namely,his background will leave to him the trauma forever.Third, “crossˮindicates“a mixture of both.ˮBecause of his white father and black mother,the speaker is a“cross-breed.ˮThen, the tittle also points out the dilemma of the speaker.Symbolically,he is standing at an intersection,“a cross road,ˮand has no idea about in which direction he should move on. Finally,to“crossˮmeans to“traverse. ˮAs half black and half white,the speaker means to go across some limits existing between the two difference races.He tries to makes a crossover from his inherent background and previous emotions to a certain new stage.At first,the speaker admits that he was angry or cross at both of his parents,but,he tries to