In A Brief Response, Describe Two Ways That Langston Hughes's I, Too Is Similar To Or Different From Walt Whitman's I Hear America Singing. Cite Specific Evidence From Both Poems To Support Your Analysis.

The Timeless Voices of American Poetry: A Comparative Analysis of Langston Hughes's "I, Too" and Walt Whitman's "I Hear America Singing"

Langston Hughes's "I, Too" and Walt Whitman's "I Hear America Singing" are two iconic poems that reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of American society. While both poems share some similarities, they also exhibit distinct differences in their themes, tone, and style. In this article, we will explore two ways in which these poems are similar and different, and examine specific evidence from both poems to support our analysis.

Similarities: The Celebration of American Identity

One way in which "I, Too" and "I Hear America Singing" are similar is in their celebration of American identity. Both poems express a sense of pride and belonging to the American experience. In "I Hear America Singing," Whitman writes:

"I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear those of the youth in the call of the cavalry, the joyous sounds Of work in field and barn, At the landing of the wharf, the sound of the gushing mighty thunder, the soldier's tune."

(Whitman 1-6)

Here, Whitman celebrates the diversity of American life, highlighting the various sounds and voices that make up the country's rich tapestry. Similarly, in "I, Too," Hughes writes:

"I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed— I, too, am America."

(Hughes 1-5)

In this poem, Hughes asserts his own identity as an American, despite being a darker-skinned individual. He celebrates his own beauty and worth, and challenges the notion that America is only for the light-skinned. Both poems, therefore, express a sense of pride and belonging to the American experience.

Differences: The Experience of Exclusion

However, despite their similarities, "I, Too" and "I Hear America Singing" also exhibit significant differences in their themes and tone. One major difference is the experience of exclusion. In "I Hear America Singing," Whitman presents a unified and inclusive vision of American society, where all voices are welcome and celebrated. In contrast, "I, Too" expresses a sense of exclusion and marginalization, where the speaker is forced to sit at the back of the table and wait to be served.

For example, in "I, Too," Hughes writes:

"They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed— I, too, am America. I am the one singing this song. I am the darker brother. They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed— I, too, sing America."

(Hughes 5-10)

Here, Hughes expresses a sense of frustration and anger at being excluded from the American experience. He is forced to sit at the back of the table, and is only recognized when he is beautiful and ashamed. This is in stark contrast to Whitman's vision of America, where all voices are welcome and celebrated.

In conclusion, "I, Too" and "I Hear America Singing" are two poems that reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of American society. While both poems share some similarities in their celebration of American identity, they also exhibit significant differences in their themes and tone. The experience of exclusion is a major difference between the two poems, with "I, Too" expressing a sense of frustration and anger at being excluded from the American experience. Through their unique voices and perspectives, both poems offer a powerful commentary on the American experience, and continue to resonate with readers today.

Hughes, L. (1951). I, Too. In The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes (pp. 143-144). New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Whitman, W. (1855). I Hear America Singing. In Leaves of Grass (pp. 1-6). New York: David McKay.
Q&A: Unpacking the Themes and Meanings of Langston Hughes's "I, Too" and Walt Whitman's "I Hear America Singing"

In our previous article, we explored the similarities and differences between Langston Hughes's "I, Too" and Walt Whitman's "I Hear America Singing." These two iconic poems offer a powerful commentary on the American experience, and continue to resonate with readers today. In this Q&A article, we will delve deeper into the themes and meanings of these poems, and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about them.

Q: What is the main theme of "I, Too"?

A: The main theme of "I, Too" is the experience of exclusion and marginalization. The speaker of the poem is forced to sit at the back of the table and wait to be served, and is only recognized when he is beautiful and ashamed. This theme is a powerful commentary on the racism and segregation that existed in America during the early 20th century.

Q: What is the significance of the speaker's declaration "I, too, am America"?

A: The speaker's declaration "I, too, am America" is a powerful statement of identity and belonging. It asserts that the speaker is a part of American society, despite being a darker-skinned individual. This declaration is a challenge to the notion that America is only for the light-skinned, and is a powerful statement of resistance against racism and exclusion.

Q: How does "I, Too" relate to the Harlem Renaissance?

A: "I, Too" is a key poem of the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural and literary movement that celebrated African American culture and identity. The poem's themes of exclusion and marginalization are a powerful commentary on the racism and segregation that existed in America during the early 20th century. The poem's declaration of identity and belonging is also a key aspect of the Harlem Renaissance's emphasis on African American pride and self-expression.

Q: What is the main theme of "I Hear America Singing"?

A: The main theme of "I Hear America Singing" is the celebration of American identity and diversity. The poem presents a unified and inclusive vision of American society, where all voices are welcome and celebrated. This theme is a powerful commentary on the American experience, and continues to resonate with readers today.

Q: How does "I Hear America Singing" relate to the concept of American exceptionalism?

A: "I Hear America Singing" is a key poem in the tradition of American exceptionalism, which emphasizes the unique and special nature of American society. The poem's celebration of American identity and diversity is a powerful commentary on the idea that America is a land of opportunity and freedom. However, the poem also raises questions about the exclusions and marginalizations that exist within American society, and challenges the notion that America is a perfect and unified nation.

Q: What is the significance of the poem's use of the phrase "I hear America singing"?

A: The poem's use of the phrase "I hear America singing" is a powerful metaphor for the diversity and complexity of American society. The phrase suggests that America is a land of many voices and perspectives, and that these voices are all welcome and celebrated. This metaphor is a key aspect of the poem's celebration of American identity and diversity.

In conclusion, "I, Too" and "I Hear America Singing" are two iconic poems that offer a powerful commentary on the American experience. Through their unique voices and perspectives, these poems challenge our assumptions about American identity and society, and continue to resonate with readers today. We hope that this Q&A article has provided a deeper understanding of the themes and meanings of these poems, and has inspired readers to explore the rich and complex world of American literature.

Hughes, L. (1951). I, Too. In The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes (pp. 143-144). New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Whitman, W. (1855). I Hear America Singing. In Leaves of Grass (pp. 1-6). New York: David McKay.