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Claude McKay refutes The American Dream by outlining the systematic disadvantages that he and other African Americans experienced throughout their lives. Though he acknowledges it, McKay’s work describes various roadblocks which hinder black people’s ability to gain inclusion in American society, and their rights to pursue the American Dream.

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In the poem America, Claude expresses his frustration with America and the hardships he faced while living in it. He even compares himself as a rebel against a King "Yet, as a rebel fronts a king in state, / I stand within her walls with not a shred / Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer." He describes himself as a rebel, but also a king. He wants to make change in America, but also wants to protect all the freedoms and other ideologies America stands for. Claude acknowledges the American Dream, but realizes that his race is not able to fully pursue the dream.

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America by Claude McKay | Poetry Foundation

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Although she feeds me bread of bitterness,

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In this poem, Claude details his peoples experience with oppression. He wants his people to fight back, instead of giving in and dying "like hogs." In the poem, he says "Like men we'll face the murderous, cowardly pack, / Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!" He describes the oppressors as "mad and hungry dogs," and as "murderous" which could be a big deterrent to obtaining the American dream.

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I

Throughout the afternoon I watched them there,
Snow-fairies falling, falling from the sky,
Whirling fantastic in the misty air,
Contending fierce for space supremacy.
And they flew down a mightier force at night,
As though in heaven there was revolt and riot,
And they, frail things had taken panic flight
Down to the calm earth seeking peace and quiet.
I went to bed and rose at early dawn
To see them huddled together in a heap,
Each merged into the other upon the lawn,
Worn out by the sharp struggle, fast asleep.
The sun shone brightly on them half the day,
By night they stealthily had stol'n away.


II

And suddenly my thoughts then turned to you
Who came to me upon a winter's night,
When snow-sprites round my attic window flew,
Your hair disheveled, eyes aglow with light.
My heart was like the weather when you came,
The wanton winds were blowing loud and long;
But you, with joy and passion all aflame,
You danced and sang a lilting summer song.
I made room for you in my little bed,
Took covers from the closet fresh and warm,
A downful pillow for your scented head,
And lay down with you resting in my arm.
You went with Dawn. You left me ere the day,
The lonely actor of a dreamy play.

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I Throughout the afternoon I watched them there, Snow-fairies falling, falling from the sky, Whirling fantastic in the misty air, Contending fierce for space supremacy. And they flew down a mightier force at night, As though in heaven there was revolt and riot, And they, frail things had taken panic flight Down to the calm earth seeking peace and quiet.

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This poem is a perfect example of how Claude realizes how oppression is preventing him from obtaining the American dream. Claude mentions how great the city is, even though he feels as if he is not able to be a real part of it. In the poem, he says "I see the mighty city through a mist," meaning he is a part of the city, but not fully and as much as he could be. He is disadvantaged, but this gives him purpose and passion to fight back against the oppression. He says he "will not bend an inch" and that he has "life long hate." Claude recognizes the potential of the city and how much better it would be without discrimination.

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1. McKay, Claude, “America.” 1921. Poetry Foundation,  https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44691/america-56d223e1ac025

2. McKay, Claude, “If We Must Die.” 1919. Poetry Foundation, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44694/if-we-must-die
3. McKay, Claude, “The White City.” 1921. Poem Hunter, https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-white-city/