# data[].attributes.body
Claude McKay’s depiction of African-Americans maintaining hope during turbulent times inspires his readers to fight for the American Dream. McKay’s poems talk about the weariness and struggles of African-Americans, which motivate them to overcome racism and find the beauty in America.

# data[].attributes.body
In the poem “America”, Claude McKay’s dark experiences in America gave him strength to protest against racism. He describes how terribly America treats him, and how at the same time America gives him strength. On one hand he compares America to a “tiger” who sinks her tooth into his throat and to a “cultured hell”, while on the other hand he describes the tiger bite as giving him “vigor”, which gives him the strength to fight back. Likewise, he is not afraid of America and sees hope in it without “terror”, “malice”, and “jeer”. However, he sees that America is “sinking” in the future like “priceless treasures”. Ultimately, Claude McKay’s struggles motivate him to find the American Dream even though America itself is not perfect.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
America by Claude McKay | Poetry Foundation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Although she feeds me bread of bitterness,

# data[].attributes.body
In the poem “The Barrier”, Claude McKay describes his frustrating experiences of not being able to fall in love with someone of a different race, which shows the challenges of achieving the American Dream. He describes that he “must not gaze” and “must not watch” a beautiful person in his life, who is represented by “dawning day” and “sun-illumined way”. He describes their voice as a “fascinating note” which he is forbidden to hear. He then describes racism as the reason why he cannot encounter them because they are “fair” and he is “dark”. This racial barrier represents the barrier to the American Dream.

https://poets.org/poem/barrier

# data[].attributes.body
In “Spring in New Hampshire”, Claude McKay describes how being lower class and working all day prevents someone from enjoying the beauty in America, and therefore achieving the American Dream. Claude McKay describes how he cannot enjoy the “springing April grass”, the “laughing” winds, and the “leaping streams” because he has to waste his “golden hours indoors” working. He also describes that he is so “wearied” and “exhausted” in the evenings that he cannot enjoy the beautiful nights and the “gloriously bright” stars. The beauty of America represents the benefits of America which the narrator cannot enjoy because he is stuck working indoors.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
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.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
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.

# data[].attributes.body
https://docs.google.com/document/d/14F9e4qsWcejjbt36_o8hy3HZP0FozcEV8LQiL4YsHTE/edit?usp=sharing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Works Cited American Author Research Project