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    The poem addresses the racial segregation and marginalisation of African Americans mainly in the landscape of America. This struggle is symbolised by the speaker being sent to eat in the kitchen when company comes. As the poem provides a discourse on the African American identity, it also asserts thRead more

    The poem addresses the racial segregation and marginalisation of African Americans mainly in the landscape of America. This struggle is symbolised by the speaker being sent to eat in the kitchen when company comes. As the poem provides a discourse on the African American identity, it also asserts the speaker’s pride in being part of America. Despite facing discrimination, the speaker emphasizes their beauty and refuses to be marginalized. Thus, the speaker is resilient and assertive of their identity. Their ability to laugh, eat well, and grow strong in the face of adversity reflects perseverance and strength. This resilience becomes a source of empowerment and a means of resisting oppressive treatment. Lastly, the closing declaration, “I, too, am America,” asserts the speaker’s rightful place in the country and emphasizes a sense of unity. It challenges the notion that African Americans are somehow separate or excluded from the broader American identity.

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    Radhika

    The central idea of Langston Hughes' poem "I, Too" revolves around the themes of racial identity, resilience, and the quest for equality in American society. The poem poignantly addresses the discrimination faced by African Americans during the time of the Harlem Renaissance. The speaker, identifyinRead more

    The central idea of Langston Hughes’ poem “I, Too” revolves around the themes of racial identity, resilience, and the quest for equality in American society. The poem poignantly addresses the discrimination faced by African Americans during the time of the Harlem Renaissance. The speaker, identifying themselves as the “darker brother,” talks about the systematic oppression and exclusion that they, among other African American identities, have faced. Thus, the process of being sent to the kitchen when company comes symbolizes segregation and marginalization. Despite this mistreatment, the poem looks optimistically toward the future, envisioning a time when the speaker will no longer be excluded and will have a place at the table, signifying equality and inclusion.

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    Radhika

    Metaphor- A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable, suggesting a resemblance or analogy. It can be seen in the phrase, "I am the darker brother.", which metaphorically conveys the speaker’s racial identity anRead more

    • Metaphor- A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable, suggesting a resemblance or analogy. It can be seen in the phrase, “I am the darker brother.”, which metaphorically conveys the speaker’s racial identity and also their experiences with racial discrimination.

    • Enjambment- Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line, stanza, or verse. It is used in the poem.

    • Allusion- An allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance. The first line of the poem is a direct reference to Walt Whitman’s famous poem I Hear American Singing where Whitman describes all kinds of American identities that collectively make up the song of America.

    • Repetition- Repetition is the recurrence of words, phrases, or lines for emphasis or rhetorical effect. The repetition of “I, too” throughout the poem reinforces the speaker’s assertion of identity and presence, emphasizing their inclusion in the American experience.

    • Symbolism- Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, often giving deeper meaning to the text. Here, the table symbolises the larger American society that tends to exclude the speaker and send him away.

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