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    I Too

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    adil kiziro
    Ooo by langtone

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    I Too

    Uploaded by

    adil kiziro
    7 views3 pages
    Ooo by langtone

    Original Title

    I too

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

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    Ooo by langtone

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    7 views3 pages

    I Too

    Uploaded by

    adil kiziro
    Ooo by langtone

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 3

    I,Too by Langston Hughes

    Langston’s Biography:

    Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1901, in Joplin, Missouri. After his
    parents separated, he was raised by his grandmother before moving to
    Cleveland with his mother in his teens. He began writing poetry during these
    early years. After high school, Hughes spent time in Mexico and briefly
    attended Columbia University. During this period, he worked various jobs,
    traveling to Africa and Europe, experiences that deeply influenced his writing.

    Hughes’ first poetry collection, The Weary Blues published in 1926,


    established him as a major voice in the Harlem Renaissance. His novel Not
    Without Laughter won the Harmon gold medal in 1930. Drawing inspiration
    from everyday Black life and incorporating jazz rhythms, Hughes was
    influenced by Paul Laurence Dunbar, Carl Sandburg, and Walt Whitman.

    Alongside poetry, Hughes wrote plays, novels, and essays, becoming one of the
    most influential writers of his era. He passed away on May 22, 1967, and in his
    honor, his Harlem residence became a landmark, with the street renamed
    Langston Hughes Place.

    The poem:

    Context: This poem was written during the Harlem Renaissance, a


    period marked by a resurgence of Black voices in literature and arts. It
    addresses racial inequality and asserts that African Americans are part of
    the American identity despite being marginalized and treated unfairly.
    But most of all, it expresses hope for future equality despite segregation
    and discrimination.

    Subject: The poem describes a young black man, who calls himself the “
    darker brother”. He speaks about being left out, sent to the kitchen while
    the company ( white people) comes and eats at the table, symbolizing the
    period of segregation African Americans experienced. Nevertheless, he
    hopes even affirms that someday he’ll also sit at the table and they’ll
    realize his worth and show him respect.
    Main conflict: The main conflicts addressed in this poem are freedom,
    liberty, power and hope against captivity, oppression, incapacity and
    hopelessness.

    Poet’s intention: Langston’s Hughes intentions in this poem was to


    assert the dignity and belonging of African Americans within the society.
    He aimed to challenge racial exclusion and discrimination by declaring
    that Black voices are also part of the nation’s identity. Through the poem,
    Hughes expressed hope for a future where racial equality prevails,
    highlighting resilience and hope despite ongoing oppression.

    Literary devices: The line “ I am the darker brother” uses a metaphor to


    emphasize the speaker's racial identity. The term “brother” implies
    equality while “darker” highlights racial differences. The anaphora in “I”,
    which we can see at the beginning of the poem, the second verse the last
    one draws attention to the speaker’s personal assertion of belonging. It
    shows the speaker’s insistence on his rightful place in society.
    Furthermore, the table symbolizes equality and being sent to the kitchen
    represents the systemic oppression of African Americans. Finally we can
    sense a tone shift from quiet endurance to assertive determination.

    The characters: The main characters are the darker brother and the
    company.

    Poem’s structure: The poem consists of five stanzas of varying lengths


    and a chorus which acts as a framing device. This repetition reinforces
    the speaker’s assertion of his American identity and his place within the
    larger society. The relatively short length of some lines gives them extra
    weight and focus, which emphasizes the shifts in tone throughout the
    poem.

    Opinion: We think that this poem is an excellent representation of the


    thoughts and feelings of the American African community during the
    period of segregation and even after. We can actually feel and sense the
    hope and desire they had for a better future just by reading this poem.
    Langston Hughes perfectly represented those sentiments.

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