Dara's Dramatic Author Research; Claude McKay by Dara Asante

Thesis statement

oasant86451 — 2024-02-23 13:07:25 UTC

Claude McKay’s work refutes the American dream in numerous instances. In his poem America, he describes how much he loves America but hates the treatment he gets.

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oasant86451 — 2024-02-23 13:12:04 UTC

This poem shows how Claude McKay refutes the American Dream. "If we must die, let it not be like hogs Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot, While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs, Making their mock at our accursèd lot...." This poem talks about talking about oppression and how serious it can be because people are losing their lives over it. He explains how if Black people must die let it not be like they are hogs and losing their dignity and humanity because they are not treated like humans. Claude Mckay’s poems are written from experiences from his life. He uses the poems to express his feelings about America and how the American dream isn't possible for everyone because he still faces injustice and racial issues in America.

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/claude-mckay/if-we-must-die

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oasant86451 — 2024-02-23 13:15:39 UTC

Claude McKay's works do not support the American dream. For example, in the poem, America, McKay states "Although she feeds me bread of bitterness, And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth, Stealing my breath of life, I will confess I love this cultured hell that tests my youth..." Claude McKay talks about the treatment he gets from America because of his race but still loves it because it is his second home. He may not like what the country does to him but he still loves it. The poem addresses how brutal oppression can be towards Black people and how it may look like. This poem is like his other poems that talk about the American Dream. They all talk about how Black people face oppression in America and how it can affect Black people mentally because of how stressful life can be in America because of their background.

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/claude-mckay/america

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oasant86451 — 2024-02-23 13:26:07 UTC

Claude Mckay uses his works to show that the American dream is not possible for everyone. He writes "Ah, stern harsh world, that in the wretched way Of poverty, dishonor and disgrace, Has pushed the timid little feet of clay, The sacred brown feet of my fallen race! "Harlem Shadows talks about how bad can the life of a black person get. In the poem Claude Mckay talks about how since the women can't afford anything they have to be in a Job such as sex workers to be able to support themselves. They have to work all day with their feet hurting just to make some money. People believe the American dream works for everyone but Claude Mckay is trying to say that it's not easy to be black in America because of all the challenges you have to face systemically.

https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/claude-mckay/harlem-shadows

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oasant86451 — 2024-02-28 03:25:28 UTC

Claude McKay doesn't support the American dream." The

first shock I registered was the realization that they looked and acted exactly like certain peasant of Jamaica who give themselves up to the celebrating of a religious sing-dance orgy which is known as Myalism. The only difference

was their clothing." Claude McKay doesn't feel like he doesn't he belongs in America because America doesn't treat you well and he realises how Morroco and Jamaica look the same but they just have different clothes. He feels connected in a way and closer to home. This poem refutes the American Dream because America is supposed to feel like a home when you are there but instead the country treated you bad and doesn't give you enough opportunities.

https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=SUIC&u=clar33415&id=GALE|A364692608&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-SUIC&asid=4542ca19

oasant86451 — 2024-03-04 03:31:20 UTC