Call for African American readers to stand up for themselves during a time of oppression

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 93 views

The Power of Resistance: Unveiling the Similarities in Langston Hughes' "I Look at the World" and Claude McKay's "If We Must Die"

Langston Hughes and Claude McKay were two prominent African American poets who played a significant role in shaping the literary landscape of the 20th century. Their works not only reflected the struggles and experiences of the African American community but also served as a powerful call to action, urging readers to stand up against oppression and fight for their rights. In this article, we will delve into the themes of two of their most iconic poems, "I Look at the World" and "If We Must Die," and explore the similarities that exist between them.

The Context of Oppression

The early 20th century was a tumultuous time for African Americans, marked by widespread racism, segregation, and violence. The Harlem Renaissance, a cultural and literary movement that emerged during this period, provided a platform for African American artists to express themselves and challenge the status quo. Langston Hughes and Claude McKay were two of the leading figures of this movement, and their works reflected the anger, frustration, and determination of the African American community.

"I Look at the World" by Langston Hughes

Published in 1936, "I Look at the World" is a powerful poem that reflects Hughes' experiences growing up in a racist society. The poem begins with the lines:

I look at the world and I carefully look at the day: I look at the day and see what it has to say.

These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the state of the world and the role that African Americans play in it. Hughes writes about the struggles of the African American community, from poverty and racism to violence and oppression. However, he also emphasizes the importance of resistance and the need for African Americans to stand up for themselves.

"If We Must Die" by Claude McKay

Published in 1919, "If We Must Die" is a poem that was written in response to the Red Summer of 1919, a period of racial violence and unrest that swept across the United States. The poem begins with the lines:

If we must die, let it not be like hogs Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot, While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs.

These lines reflect the anger and frustration that McKay felt towards the racist violence that was perpetrated against African Americans during this period. However, the poem also contains a message of resistance and defiance, urging African Americans to stand up for themselves and fight against oppression.

Similarities in Themes

Despite being written in different times and contexts, "I Look at the World" and "If We Must Die" share several similarities in their themes. Both poems:

Call for African American readers to stand up for themselves during a time of oppression: Both poems reflect the anger and frustration that Hughes and McKay felt towards the racist violence and oppression that was perpetrated against African Americans. However, they also emphasize the importance of resistance and the need for African Americans to stand up for themselves.
Send the message that no one is born to be a slave: Both poems contain a message of defiance and resistance, urging African Americans to reject the idea that they are inferior or that they are born to be slaves.
Highlight the importance of community and solidarity: Both poems emphasize the importance of community and solidarity in the face of oppression. Hughes writes about the need for African Americans to come together and support each other, while McKay writes about the importance of standing up for oneself and one's community.

In conclusion, "I Look at the World" and "If We Must Die" are two powerful poems that reflect the experiences and struggles of the African American community. Despite being written in different times and contexts, the poems share several similarities in their themes, including the call for African American readers to stand up for themselves during a time of oppression, the message that no one is born to be a slave, and the importance of community and solidarity. These poems serve as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality, and they continue to inspire and motivate readers to this day.

Recommendations for Further Reading

For those interested in learning more about the Harlem Renaissance and the works of Langston Hughes and Claude McKay, we recommend the following:

"The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes": This collection of poems provides a comprehensive overview of Hughes' work and includes many of his most famous poems, including "I Look at the World."
"The Complete Poems of Claude McKay": This collection of poems provides a comprehensive overview of McKay's work and includes many of his most famous poems, including "If We Must Die."
"The Harlem Renaissance: A Very Short Introduction": This book provides a comprehensive overview of the Harlem Renaissance and its key figures, including Langston Hughes and Claude McKay.

Hughes, L. (1936). I Look at the World. In The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes (pp. 123-125).
McKay, C. (1919). If We Must Die. In The Complete Poems of Claude McKay (pp. 56-58).
Lewis, D. L. (2000). When Harlem Was in Vogue. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Rampersad, A. (1986). The Life of Langston Hughes. New York: Oxford University Press.
Rampersad, A. (1997). The Complete Poems of Claude McKay. New York: Vintage Books.
Q&A: Unveiling the Themes and Messages of Langston Hughes' "I Look at the World" and Claude McKay's "If We Must Die"

In our previous article, we explored the themes and messages of Langston Hughes' "I Look at the World" and Claude McKay's "If We Must Die." These two poems are powerful reflections of the African American experience during the early 20th century, and they continue to inspire and motivate readers to this day. In this Q&A article, we will delve deeper into the themes and messages of these poems, and provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about them.

Q: What is the main theme of "I Look at the World"?

A: The main theme of "I Look at the World" is the struggle for racial equality and justice. Langston Hughes writes about the experiences of African Americans during the early 20th century, including poverty, racism, and violence. However, he also emphasizes the importance of resistance and the need for African Americans to stand up for themselves.

Q: What is the significance of the title "I Look at the World"?

A: The title "I Look at the World" is significant because it reflects the speaker's perspective on the world around them. The speaker is not just looking at the world, but is also reflecting on the state of the world and the role that African Americans play in it. The title sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a powerful reflection of the African American experience.

Q: What is the message of "If We Must Die"?

A: The message of "If We Must Die" is one of resistance and defiance. Claude McKay writes about the anger and frustration that he felt towards the racist violence that was perpetrated against African Americans during the Red Summer of 1919. However, he also emphasizes the importance of standing up for oneself and one's community, even in the face of oppression.

Q: What is the significance of the line "If we must die, let it not be like hogs" in "If We Must Die"?

A: The line "If we must die, let it not be like hogs" is significant because it reflects the dehumanizing treatment of African Americans during the Red Summer of 1919. The image of hogs being hunted and penned in an inglorious spot is a powerful metaphor for the way that African Americans were treated during this period. The line emphasizes the importance of dignity and respect, even in the face of oppression.

Q: How do "I Look at the World" and "If We Must Die" relate to the Harlem Renaissance?

A: Both "I Look at the World" and "If We Must Die" are related to the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural and literary movement that emerged during the 1920s and 1930s. The Harlem Renaissance was a time of great creativity and innovation for African American artists, and both Hughes and McKay were key figures in this movement. Their poems reflect the themes and messages of the Harlem Renaissance, including the importance of racial equality and justice.

Q: What is the significance of the use of imagery in "I Look at the World" and "If We Must Die"?

A: The use of imagery in "I Look at the World" and "If We Must Die" is significant because it helps to create a powerful and evocative picture of the African American experience. Hughes and McKay use vivid and descriptive language to paint a picture of the world around them, and to reflect on the state of the world and the role that African Americans play in it. The use of imagery helps to emphasize the importance of the themes and messages of the poems.

Q: How do "I Look at the World" and "If We Must Die" continue to inspire and motivate readers today?

A: "I Look at the World" and "If We Must Die" continue to inspire and motivate readers today because they reflect the ongoing struggle for racial equality and justice. The poems are powerful reminders of the importance of standing up for oneself and one's community, even in the face of oppression. They also reflect the importance of dignity and respect, and the need for African Americans to be treated with the same dignity and respect as anyone else.

In conclusion, "I Look at the World" and "If We Must Die" are two powerful poems that reflect the African American experience during the early 20th century. They continue to inspire and motivate readers today, and are an important part of the literary canon. We hope that this Q&A article has provided a deeper understanding of the themes and messages of these poems, and has inspired readers to learn more about the Harlem Renaissance and the works of Langston Hughes and Claude McKay.

Recommendations for Further Reading

For those interested in learning more about the Harlem Renaissance and the works of Langston Hughes and Claude McKay, we recommend the following:

"The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes": This collection of poems provides a comprehensive overview of Hughes' work and includes many of his most famous poems, including "I Look at the World."
"The Complete Poems of Claude McKay": This collection of poems provides a comprehensive overview of McKay's work and includes many of his most famous poems, including "If We Must Die."
"The Harlem Renaissance: A Very Short Introduction": This book provides a comprehensive overview of the Harlem Renaissance and its key figures, including Langston Hughes and Claude McKay.

Hughes, L. (1936). I Look at the World. In The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes (pp. 123-125).
McKay, C. (1919). If We Must Die. In The Complete Poems of Claude McKay (pp. 56-58).
Lewis, D. L. (2000). When Harlem Was in Vogue. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Rampersad, A. (1986). The Life of Langston Hughes. New York: Oxford University Press.
Rampersad, A. (1997). The Complete Poems of Claude McKay. New York: Vintage Books.