Analytical_Essay_Comparing__I_Hear_America_Singing,___and__I,_Too,_Sing_America_

Both Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman, though from different time periods, acknowledge that there is a sense of pride amongst the American work force. Though the term, “American Dream” had not been coined at the time Whitman wrote his famous poem, I Hear America Singing, it acknowledges the concept of pride in ownership through hard work and a dream. Langston Hughes, in his poem I, too, sing America, tells a more somber tale of one day overcoming oppression and becoming a respected part of society. Both Poets use the theme of “pride” to emphasize self worth the people in both poems have. Langston Hughes, growing up in a time where racial segregation was a prominent problem in America. He also knew that the best way for him to spread his message of equality was through writing. He was the first African American author to support himself through his writing, consequently becoming one of the dominant voices speaking out against racism. One of his more famous poems, I, too, sing America, is a testament to how blacks in America are not considered equal to whites and that they were ready to push out of oppression. The poem is about a black man who has his own dream of rising up from a family’s shameful son, to a “beautiful” and respected person (16). Each line of this poem was meticulously crafted by Hughes to portray how he saw America. For example, he (the man Langston Hughes writes the poem as) considers himself as equal and important as any member of the family: “I am the darker brother.” (1) The allegorical meaning is continued throughout the rest of the stanza: They send me to eat in the Kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. (2-7) It is a declaration of humor and sense of ironic humor, which is light, yet noticeable. He emphasizes that he eats better than his master thinks to represent how he will grow strong and fight for his rights and freedom.  Hughes goes on to predict an idealistic, equal, future. He says that one day he will be treated with the same equality and eat on the same table with his master. At the same juncture, he shows signs of the hope and a dream. He is willing to wait till the “tomorrow” and work up to his goal (8). … I will eat at the table When company comes. Nobody’ll dare Say to me, “Eat in the kitchen,” Then. (9-14) Although the man in the poem says that he will be allowed to eat at the table with company in the near future, he has a kind of underlying overly optimistic, yet undermining tone that the previous lines emphasize. It is as if he does not believe in his own ideals. Almost like he has accepted where he is on a subconscious level, only being taught that his place was not at the table, but rather, cast away in another room. Being hidden away from the “company” is almost ritualistic in whatever household he is in. “Then” is the word that sticks out like the butt of a dagger, deep in someone’s chest (14). It is perhaps the most sobering word in the poem simply because it acknowledges how real the situation is to this man. The tone is offsetting, and in a way, and potentially disappointing to a reader due to its harsh, non-idealistic nature. It is continued and more prevalent in the closing lines: Besides, They’ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed – I, too, am America. (15-18) “Besides” is a power word (15). It reinforces the Fortunately, it is overpowered by a sense of determination and self-preparation and readiness to seize the first opportunity he has to sit with and be a respected member of the family. The time period in which this poem theoretically takes place is also important to the theme. It is what separates Hughes poem from Whitman’s. Blacks in America are beginning to gain their rights and will be free as opposed to whites being the dominant race, controlling everything and owning slaves.  Walt Whitman, writing his poem in the mid 1800s, did not mention cultural diversity in his poem I Hear America Singing. It also is in the form of an up beat, inspirational and uplifting song. The people American work force, which are the ones singing, are all rejoicing in what they have earned and their profession. This is emphasized through; “The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat / the delicious singing of the mother / each singing what belongs to her, and to none else.” (5-11). The singing of the boatman, the mothers and young wives is a testament to what they have earned through pursuing their dreams, enjoying what is theirs. This theme is extended to all those in the poem such as a “mechanic” (2), “carpenter” (3), “mason” (4), “shoemaker” (7), and the “wood-cutter” (8) who all are happy enough to literally and figuratively profess their joy through singing. Everything is working in harmony throughout Walt Whitman’s America, which is continuously growing a larger middle class and becoming more urbanized. The two poems, although different in their approach, have the same ideology and themes. In Langston Hughes’ poem, the black man is planning to rise up and take a place in society in which he rightfully belongs. It is his dream in America. Though he is skeptical about achieving his goal, he remains optimistic and ready to seize any opportunities that may come. Walt Whitman focuses on the positive aspect of creating and reaching one’s dream, while Hughes focuses on the spark of hope in an otherwise dark and hopeless situation. It is considered more realistic, rather than the idealistic. The most sobering form of literature is the one that tells a hard truth. Self worth and pride amongst all Americans, no matter the class, is an underlying tone behind every person’s actions and desire to become great and achieve their dreams.