American Author Research Project by Dillon Demasi https://padlet.com/ddemas1807/cwj3zk1kaqly6fue Claude McKay en-us 2022-02-28 17:24:38 UTC 2025-09-30 12:52:45 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f600.png Thesis Statement ddemas1807 https://padlet.com/ddemas1807/cwj3zk1kaqly6fue/wish/2069954238 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.  

]]> 2022-02-28 17:30:51 UTC https://padlet.com/ddemas1807/cwj3zk1kaqly6fue/wish/2069954238 America ddemas1807 https://padlet.com/ddemas1807/cwj3zk1kaqly6fue/wish/2069960386 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.



]]> 2022-02-28 17:33:56 UTC https://padlet.com/ddemas1807/cwj3zk1kaqly6fue/wish/2069960386 If We Must Die ddemas1807 https://padlet.com/ddemas1807/cwj3zk1kaqly6fue/wish/2070001391 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.]]> 2022-02-28 17:55:23 UTC https://padlet.com/ddemas1807/cwj3zk1kaqly6fue/wish/2070001391 Works Cited ddemas1807 https://padlet.com/ddemas1807/cwj3zk1kaqly6fue/wish/2076800947 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/


]]> 2022-03-03 23:25:12 UTC https://padlet.com/ddemas1807/cwj3zk1kaqly6fue/wish/2076800947 The White City ddemas1807 https://padlet.com/ddemas1807/cwj3zk1kaqly6fue/wish/2076811392 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.]]> 2022-03-03 23:36:48 UTC https://padlet.com/ddemas1807/cwj3zk1kaqly6fue/wish/2076811392 Conclusion ddemas1807 https://padlet.com/ddemas1807/cwj3zk1kaqly6fue/wish/2076897005 2022-03-04 00:33:06 UTC https://padlet.com/ddemas1807/cwj3zk1kaqly6fue/wish/2076897005