Language

The language and the style of the poem “I, Too” by Langston Hughes should also be addressed, as they will give you a better understanding of the meanings the author tries to convey. 

Playing with the language

Langston Hughes plays quite a lot with language in the poem, as most of the meanings of words are indirectly implied through metaphorical expressions. For instance, singing America (l. 1) is a metaphor for praising the country and being proud to be American. Equally, being America (l. 18) refers to being an active part of the country and contributing to the country’s development. Also, “the darker brother” (l. 2) is a denomination for the speaker being African-American.

“And grow strong” (l. 7) does not only refer to physical strength, but also to becoming better prepared to fight against discrimination. In the same way, “beautiful” (l. 16) is not only about looking good but also about being equal to the whites; being black does not mean the speaker has a flaw because he is as beautiful as everybody else.

Note that racism and discrimination are never mentioned directly, but they are suggested through the image of the speaker being sent to the kitchen (l. 3). Lastly, the kitchen table (l. 9) can be seen as a metaphor of citizenship and equal rights; by being at the same table, the speaker has a say in the American society.

Tense of the verbs

The...