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Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman were great poets. They wrote a poem about the American Dream but with two different perspectives. Walt Whitman asserts that America is an ideal nation for everyone. "I Hear America Singing" by Walt Whitman was published in 1966. Whitman describes the people who make up America, how people enjoy their jobs, how proud they are, the workers all sing loud and strong as they work. Also, he shows the opportunities they have, as well.
Langston Hughes wrote, "I too" in 1926. He wants to demonstrate a yearning for equality through perseverance, he is referring to African Americans were treated, segregation, and racism. Langston Hughes was willing to fight for the rights of African Americans. He also was sure that "Tomorrow" would be better for them, no matter what.
One of the elements that Hughes and Walt Whitman used was "imagery." Imagery is formed by sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. Those terms are important because the reader can imagine and feel what the poets want to share through their poem.
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“ She followed all my directions. It was really easy to contact her and respond very fast as well. ”
One of the elements that Langston Hughes used in "I too" is a sight: "They'll see how beautiful I am," so the word "see" represents the imagery. Also, this phrase means that the people who treated them so bad will see how they are, regardless of their skin color they are beautiful for what they are, for their ability, not as they look because a person is not beautiful just because how they look the beauty is based on the way the person is.
Walt Whitman also used sound; "I Hear America Singing," here represent the sound as imagery. He refers to how people enjoy doing their jobs and the opportunities the nation offers them. Imagery is very important because it is easier for the poet to transmit the message to the reader.
In addition, Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman used "Tone." The tone is the attitude of the poet. Walt Whitman: "Every worker were singing," used an appreciative tone because he wrote about the pleasing sounds and the joy of the people, and the proud the workers were. Also, represent that the people were happy about their jobs and they did not care if the were tired or if their jobs were so hard. Langston Hughes at the beginning was negative. He wrote, "They send me to eat in the kitchen," he doesn't agree with white people. Then he was optimistic and had a positive tone with "I'll be at the table" and "They'll see how beautiful I am." So he was sure that the future would be better for every African Americans. He was sure that racism and segregation would end for all of them, and that they would have the same treatment, and have the same opportunities since he was aware of how capable they were as human beings. and that no matter what they had to do to get it, he was willing to fight for it,. Tono is important Because according to the tone or attitude of the poem or reading it becomes more interesting for the reader and the message is clearer to understand.
So also Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman used "Diction." Diction is the style of the poet. Walt Whitman "singing" This word describes the workers who enjoy their work, how proud they were to work, and the opportunities they had. Langston Hughes "I am the darker brother" describes all African Americans, another example is "Nobody'll dare say to me eat in the kitchen then" describes the security that no one would tell them again what they had to do, that they would make their own decisions regardless of whether they agree or disagree. In addiction "Kitchen" represent that African Americans did not have treated as equal, "Beautiful" means that any person is beautiful no matter how they look that probably their outside do not look well but it doesn't mean that they have to be treated with rejection because everyone deserves to be treated with equality and respect even if you don't like their cultures, races, and religion. Diction is very important because to interpret a lot the message that the poet wants to convey.
Finally, Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman used "Point of view." Point of view is the narrator's position in relation to the story being told. Point of view is one most important because it is where the poet refers to what or about who is witting and the meaning that it was for him that his people enjoyed and the passion they had for what they were doing. Walt Whitman used the first person when he said "I hear America Singing" he appreciates the workers, also he used third person, "The shoemaker, the carpenter, etc" he was describing each person with details and how the people enjoyed their jobs no matter how hard it was. As well Langston Hughes used the first person "I too," "I am the darker brother,' to represent African Americans, that was the way he used to refer to African-Americans (his people). Also can be a way to describe his race and for belonging to that race.
In conclusion, Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman worked with different perspectives but with an optimistic and positive attitude, they described the American dream and its differences for citizens, also in the treatment for each person according to their race, their social class, religion, and cultures. They remarked how is the difference of American dream for a white person and for an African-American but nevertheless, Langston Hughes showed that no matter how low these can be if you fight for your dreams having faith and hope that you can achieve it. But first, you must ignore the opinions of others, and that any comment that can hurt is better to ignore and demonstrate the ability and how capable you are to achieve everything you propose to keep your head up, never give up, and work very hard. Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman reveal different perspectives and the American Dream through, imagery, diction, the point of view, and tone.
Ivette AranaEnglish IIIPeriod 2American DreamsLangston Hughes and. (2019, Nov 22). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/ivette-aranaenglish-iiiperiod-2american-dreamslangston-hughes-and-example-essay
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