Claude McKay is a man who spans national boundaries‚ literary genres‚political identities‚ and even his own time. Born in the country of Jamaica in 1890‚ McKay was a talented young man. As a Jamaican immigrant to the United States‚ Claude McKay’s writing spanned many complex themes‚ both from his experiences of life in Jamaica and his life in the United States. His early writings would be focused on his life in Jamaica. They would go on to win several literary awards‚ allowing McKay to fund a trip
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In rhyme and meter‚ Claude McKay’s “If We Must Die” generally conforms to the conventions of a Shakespearean sonnet‚ but at several moments throughout the poem‚ McKay also strays from the rules of the English sonnet. In composing his poem in the style of the traditional Shakespearean sonnet‚ McKay creates a clear narrative that is both easy to follow and equally artistic. However‚ in deviating from this conventional style‚ McKay draws attention to specific phrases that contribute greatly to the contrasting
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In the passages “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay‚ the speaker set a courageous tone by using words like “brave”‚ “fighting”‚ and “honor” in sentences throughout the passage to show that the men were not afraid although they were outnumbered. This work of literature teaches the reader that if a group of people can come together as one they can be more powerful then a greater population. In the literary work “A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest J. Gaines‚ Jefferson’s tone was cowardly/immature in the
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Charles Bailey “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay‚ we must fight!! The poem “If We Must Die‚ by Claude McKay” is about a certain group of people who are hated and hunted by another group of others. I believe that the poet has made this poem to speak to his fellow African-Americans‚ who are being mistreated by the white slave owners. The speaker tells his people not to go easily‚ but rather fight as long as possible and don’t ever give up before they are killed. The poet believes that the worst things
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The Tropics in New York was written by Claude McKay in 1920. McKay was born in Jamaica in 1890 and immigrated to the United States in 1912. The twenty-two years that he lived in Jamaica gave him inspiration for this poem. The poem includes masterful imagery and other literary devices. The poem starts with McKays somewhat cheerful description of luscious tropical fruits: Bananas ripe and green‚ and ginger-root‚ / Cocoa in pods and alligator pears‚ (lines 1-2). At this point‚ the reader is not sure
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more‚ all originated from this extraordinary movement. Claude McKay is one of the most legendary authors that contributed the Harlem Renaissance. McKay wrote many iconic pieces. To name a few‚ he wrote poems titled‚ “If We Must Die”‚ “Harlem Shadows”‚ and “America”. By doing the impossible and being heard when he could not speak‚ Claude McKay has used his voice for social justice and has changed the world for the better. Festus Claude McKay was born September 15‚ 1889‚ in Sunny Ville‚ Clarendon
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Abstract The following paper focuses on the two poets of the Harlem Renaissance – Claude McKay and James Weldon Johnson. Their role and importance within the literary movement is identified‚ and the major themes of their poems‚ If We Must Die and The Prodigal Son are highlighted. Harlem Renaissance Poets The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned unofficially form 1919 to the mid 1930’s. The “Negro Movement” as it was then called‚ heralded the zenith of modern African literature
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Josiah Royce explains best that until we are able to look beyond the physical aspects of a person‚ then we will never be able to diminish racial prejudices every race has. Royce does not hold back when stating that every race has these prejudices. It is not just caucasians‚ African‚ Americans‚ but also Asian Americans. When reading this quote‚ I thought of W.E.B. DuBois The Souls of Black Folk and Claude McKay’s poem “America”. The Soul of Black Folk relate to the fact that these prejudices have
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Read the poem‚ If We Must Die‚ by Claude McKay Answer the questions: 1. What theme or conflict is being dramatized in the poem? The main theme is honor‚ no matter the toughest of times we can always find the way to live with dignity and respect. 2. Can the poetic speaker be identified? The poet‚ Mr. McKay‚ is the speaker. 3. Who is the poetic speaker speaking to? The reader 4. What is the poetic speaker’s motivation? Fight the toughest situations with pride and dignity. 5. What type of poem is it
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The poems “If we must die” by Claude Mckay and “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley relates to the play Antigone because they all have something to do with dying in honor and control who you are. Antigone wants to bury Polyneices’ body. Ismene refuses to help her because Ismene is afraid of getting the death penalty. Antigone says if she dies from trying to bury her brother Polyneices‚ she will die in honor knowing that she will do anything to have her brother die peaceful and the way he is supposed
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