Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Similes In If We Must Die By Claude Mckay - 868 Words

Claude McKay was a Jamaican poet who brought hopefulness to the oppressed during the Harlem Renaissance in his poem, â€Å"If We Must Die†. McKay experienced the hardships that colored people were going through because of their race and nationality. He believed that the people should fight for what they believe in, even if it seems like a hopeless cause. McKay uses the concept of dying with dignity to persuade his fellow African-Americans that are being oppressed to fight for what they believe in. McKay uses literary devices such as similes to make a comparisons expressing how the African-Americans were being treated. He does this to show the people what the oppressors view them as and what they should be viewed as. This forces the people to†¦show more content†¦McKay says, â€Å"While round us bark the mad hungry dogs,/ making their mock at the accused lot† (l. 3-4). This symbolizes and compares the hunger of a dog to the hunger that the people have for freedom. This further proves that the freedom is much needed for both them, and future generations. This shows the reader that freedom is a right that all people no matter the race or nationality is entitled to. It then further proves to the reader that freedom from oppression is a concept that is worth fighting for. Especially since their rights are being taken away from them. Mckay uses this simile to further verify the need to fight for the cause. McKay uses hopeful words and exclamation marks to rally his people to fight back for the cause. McKay used this tactic when he says, â€Å"We must meet the common foe!† (l. 9), to show that the oppressors are equal to them. This in turn encourages the African-Americans that they do have a chance to fight back. The emphasis with the exclamation points, and the encouraging words give the reader a sense of hope that the fight is possible. In the poem, exclamations serve the purpose of motivating the people to fight for freedom of oppression. While hopeful words encourage them that the cause is manageable and that they can change the future. An example of this is when McKay says, â€Å"even the monsters we defy/Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!† (l. 7-8). McKay shows that even the oppressors will have to honor them for dying nobilly withShow MoreRelatedIf We Must Die by: Claude Mckay (Analysis Paper)1084 Words   |  5 PagesShaymeon Robertson AP English Literature If We Must Die By: Claude McKay If We Must Die, by Claude McKay is a sonnet written during the Harlem Renaissance period; a period where there was a flowering of African-American literature and art, (1919- mid 1930s). Though the Harlem Renaissance period was a time of thriving people and culture in the African-American community, prejudice was still very much active; somethingRead MoreAfrican Americans During The Civil War796 Words   |  4 Pages1900. 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He structures the poem as a dialog

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