Relook at the poems "I Hear America Singing" by Walt Whitman and "I Too, Sing America" by Langston Hughes. Are they similar? How so? How are their views of America different?
Using textual evidence, respond in a clear focused paragraph arguing whether you think they are more similar and why or more different and why.
Whitman's poem "I Hear American Singing" is similar to Hughes' poem "I, Too, Sing America", however they both send a very different message. Both author's use their poems to share their point of view on America with their readers. Whitman's poem portrays a unified America. He incorporates people from all area's of life and all professions to show how they work together to make up America. According to Whitman, everyone is apart of making our country what it is. On the other hand, Hughes' uses his poem to show the discrimination and segregation in our country. He speaks of being isolated and put down and having to "eat in the kitchen When company comes..." He shows the reader how it feels to be ignored by a unified group of people even though you are a part of what they have taken from you.
ReplyDeleteThe two poems are more similar than not. Both Whitman and Hughes speak about those not frequently noticed or held at high esteem rising through their voice, giving meaning to the first amendment of America's constitution.Whitman writes of the varied carols of the "mechanics -- each one singing his...blithe and strong." he speaks of the mechanics, carpenters, masons and shoemakers who often grace the day unnoticed; are essential yet are not appreciated. Hughes speaks of the African American who throughout American history have been the underdogs but through the poem we see that their own vision of themselves are changing. Instead of being kept away, the person in the poem states "tomorrow/ i'll be at the table/ when company comes./ nobody'll dare/ say to me/ 'eat in the kitchen'." 'I, Too, Sing America' focuses on the African Americans who are finally becoming individuals while 'I hear America singing' speaks of the people who work the jobs not at the top of the foodchain and how they as well are making their voices heard.
ReplyDeleteEssentially both authors are saying the same thing in their poems. Whitman is saying that the voices among America, from the shipyard to the women in their homes, make up the big voice of America. Everyone comes together and it is beautiful. Hughes responds by saying that he is America as well. His voice is beautiful and the rest of the country will on day realize it. Even though Whitman claims that everyone is included Hughes says that it is not that way, but it will be one way and everyone will feel ignorant.
ReplyDeleteThere is the obvious difference of tone and inflection going from Whitman's poem to Hughes'. Whitman's "I hear America singing" is cheerful and powerful. It demonstrates the "Disney side" of the harlem renaissance. When I read this poem, I think of Beauty and the Beast; all the white folks singing and cheering. Langston Hughes' poem seems depressing and fed up on the first read. But on the second and third times through, you see that this is little worry or sadness in the speaker's voice; just perseverance and motivation like in lines 8-14,"Tomorrow, I'll be at the table... Then.". These lines demonstrate the perseverance and the "never give up" attitude
ReplyDeleteI believe these poems are parallel, but different. Both poems describe the readers hard work and suffering; "The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench--the hatter singing as he stands" and "
ReplyDeleteThey send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes,". Where the poems differ is what the hard work is going into. Whitman's poem is simply nationalism. Hughes' on the other hand is about gaining pride from prejudice; "They send me to eat in the kitchen....... But I laugh, And eat well, and grow strong." Whitman's poem is one dimensional; he feels pride in his country and the success it is having in the world. Hughes takes the reader through his people's journey. Clearly, although both poems show pride, but Hughes' pride comes from discrimination, making for a more powerful poem.
In the two poems by Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman, the two poets portray the different sides of America and in that are more different than similar. In Whitman's poem, he talks about how unified the US is and how different people work together to make the country strong. In Hughes' poem, he talks about how one group cannot exist with another. He says, "Nobody'll dare say to me, Eat in the kitchen." This shows the reader that he believes that social groups are meant to stand apart from each other. In Whitman's poem, the author is praising Americas sense of unification and in Hughes' poem, the author is disgusted with the segregation of the country; and in that, the two poems are very different.
ReplyDelete“I, Too, Sing America” by Langston Hughes is, simply, a reaction to the poem, “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman. Through the use of Juvenalean Satire, Hughes writes of a unified America in which the minorities, formerly oppressed, have a voice. Hughes' poem speaks powerfully for the rights of minorities, at the same time encouraging the status quo to accept and embrace the role of the oppressed. In one specific portion, Hughes states, “ I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother” (Hughes). Whitman, conversely, does not write about the role of minorities, though they are an integral faction of the American society. Thus, Hughes' poem is dissimilar to Walt Whitman's passage due to the difference in central theme.
ReplyDeleteI think that these two poems are more similar than different. Walt Whitman talks about America and how it consists of many different kinds of people and how everyone does their job and loves what they do.Langston Hughes talks about how a black man over comes the discrimination against him. It starts out saying that he is not allowed to eat at the table but in the end it shows that he was able to get to the table and he will show the white people that he is just the same as them, just as beautiful as them and just as deserving as them. At the end of Hughes poem he says "I, too, am America." I like this line because everyone should be treated equally because skin color is not a justifiable reason to treat someone differently. I think Hughes poem also expresses the fact that white people have always made false judgments of African Americans. Whitman's poem is showing that America is a place where not just one person can be happy, but everyone can be happy. It shows this in the first line that says "I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear", "varied" really excentuates this showing that everyone is happy and it never mentions race so there is a mix of race and jobs and even still there is happiness. Both of these poems shows that in America differences can be put aside and everyone can be treated equally.
ReplyDeleteBoth Whitman's "I Hear America Singing" and Hughes, "I, Too, Sing America" are similar in that one poem expands on the other. In "I Hear America Singing" there is a feeling of a national community between all of the workers singing together and at the same time. In Hughes "I, Too, Sing America", the man is originally separated from the rest of society because "They send me to eat in the kitchen." But he then dreams of an America like portrayed in "I Hear America Singing." He dreams of this when he says "I, too, sing America" and "Tomorrow, I'll be at the table."
ReplyDeleteIn the poems “I hear America singing” by Walt Whitman and “I, too, Sing America” by Langston Hughes, Hughes' poem challenges Whitman's initial insights he thought to be true about America. Whitman described the beautiful side of this country where its all a bustling, hardworking, happy place where darkness doesn't exist. Hughes challenges this “pretty paradigm” by describing the darker side of America. He talks about the repression of a black person that occurred, how they ate in the kitchen, out of sight. “I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen”. Hughes inserts a powerful and hopeful feeling that blacks will rise up over the whites, over the peaceful, yet unrealistic nature that Whitman wrote about. Langston Hughes' reaction to Whitman's poem was a non-resigning attitude that challenged Whitman and his ideas about life in America. Walt Whitman started out in the same direction as Hughes by saying “varied carols” which hints at diversity, but then went in the opposite direction and referred to a fairytale, white America.
ReplyDeleteThese poems are more different, because they talk about different things. At the core of it "I Hear America Singing" is a joyous poem about the "delicious singing of a mother" to "their strong melodious songs". On the other hand "I, Too, Sing America" is about the "Dark brother" and the minorities growing strong under the whites tyranny. That this strength will create an equal country, one where everyone has say and rights. Walt Whitman writes about everyone having one voice not the obvious inequalities in America at the time. Because off this I simply can't see many similarities in theses pieces.
ReplyDeleteI think they are more different. Walt Whitman's "I hear America Singing" has a very positive view of America. "Singing, with open mouths, their strong melodious songs." The use of diction creates a happy tone. It shows patriotism through; "as it should be, blithe and strong." The words Blithe and strong create a sense of patriotism. Langston Hughes' "I, Too,Sing America"sends a more fighting tone. It is the view of a black American. "Nobody'll dare Say to me, 'Eat in the kitchen'."The person described is standing up for for himself. This shows a dark side of America that the first poem doesn't. You see the inequality of america. "They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed."This man believes her is better than whites not just equal." The first poem shows only the good side and the second poem is more realistic.
ReplyDeleteDespite slightly different tones and ideas, both Hughes and Whitman are trying to convey the same basic idea. The main theme of both poems is that America's diversity and depth is what makes it great. The only difference is in the tone. While Whitman's poem is positive and optimistic, Hughes' poem maintains a tone of disdain and irreverence. Although this is true, the poem is still still strong feeling and optimistic. These differences in tone and technique are mild and both authors are trying to get one message across; America is strong because of its diversity.
ReplyDeleteWhitman's poem "I hear America singing" portrays the life of a white American's life as Langston Hughes's poem portrays the life of the average African American. "I hear America singing" glorifies everyday life and is very happy and optimistic. In "I, Too, Sing America," Hughes tells the darker side of life in America, one that is not unified and where there is inequality. However, they are similar in that both poems have a carefree nature about them. In Whitman's poem, no one seems discontented and they are all singing as in Hughes poem it states, "But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong". Despite not being able to eat at the table with the others, Hughes still has a positive attitude and determination in changing the perspective on African Americans. He expresses pride in being black even though he is oppressed because of his race. In this way the two poems are similar, however the two poems are more different than they are similar. Whitman's poem tells of all the different people that contribute to society and make America great. However, Hughes responds in saying that "the darker brother," who shares the same dreams as the people described in Whitman's poem, does not get a share in that wealth and equality America cherishes.
ReplyDelete“I hear America singing” by Walt Whitman and “I, Too, Sing America” by Langston Hughes both address the American dream and the everyday life of Americans but from completely opposite view points. Whitman's poem represents the status quo of a white American. It is the traditional hard working life with each gender and person having their own role in society. Hughes' poem represents the African American role in society. Everyone has their place and everyone gets to enjoy the fruits of America's labors differently. These two poems seem to be more alike than different. Each society is separate yet whole. They both show hard working Americans with their trials and hard times. Whitman says, “I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear; those of mechanics...the carpenter...the shoemaker...the mother...” These are the many aspects of American life. Hughes says, “I, too, sing America...They send me to the eat in the kitchen when company comes...” As though he is trying to fit in and prove he is also an American and that it is not fair for him to be separated from the glorified whole.
ReplyDeleteThe poems "I hear America singing" and "I, Too, Sing America" seem to be similar, but have different messages. "I hear America singing" is a poem that describes every person's place in society and how they we all work together to become unified. It also makes a point that every person sings while they complete their job which implies contentment with their position. The poem "I, too, Sing America" is more focused on the burden of a black person living under a white person. In the beginning of the poem, the narrator seems bitter about eating in the kitchen. Near the end, he describes his potential revenge and how "They'll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed." This poem creates a sense of inequality between the white and black people while "I hear America singing" portrays equality among society.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the two poems written by Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes I concluded that they are different. "I Hear American Sing" to me appeared to be about a old school patriotic tone, "...Each one singing his, as it should be, blithe and strong." The poem continues to talk about "Carpenter singing his, as he measures his plank or beam, the mason singing his, as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work..." These seem to be the proud American jobs, the patriotic employments. But in "I, Too, Sing America" by Langston Hughes it has a new age America feel. The diction is proud an self-assertive. "But I laugh And eat well, And grow strong." Hughes is talking about how a new day is coming. "They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed--" Even though he is black he is showing hope that changes are coming.
ReplyDeleteThe poems by Whitman and Hughes are similar regarding that they both provide hope for African Americans. Towards the end of Whitman's I hear America singing he states “the day what belongs to the day” I think is provides positive insight saying that every day is a new day. Things can change and not everything is set and stone. Similarly Hughes completely takes the side of an under privileged person. He suggests that although the times may not be the best now, they will improve. Both of them show that there is always opportunity for adjustments in life.
ReplyDeleteWalt Whitman's poem "I Hear America Singing" and Langston Hughes poem "I too, Sing America" are vastly different poems with the same patriotic tone. Whitman's poem at first seems like a gilded opinion of America, touching on each job's role with an overdose of positivity, but this poem does not say the type of song each person sings, just that they sing. Their strong melodious songs are varied and they may be joyful but they also leave room for struggle, making this poem more real. This poem is beautifully written but somehow doesn’t carry the same power of Langston Hughes’ poem which cries out about the struggles of African American's at this time with the same patriotic tone. Hughes’s poem is centered in the confidence of the black spirit and how they have and will overcome. They both have an optimistic view, but “I too, Sing America” seems to have a more realism approach.
ReplyDelete“I hear America singing” by Walt Whitman and “I, Too, Sing America” by Langston Hughes are two poems written about two different Americas. “I hear America singing” speaks of the happy and joyful side of America and the freedom and the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It shows a unified America bent on reaping the rewards of their hard work and labor. It illustrates an America fighting for what they believe is right and what every man deserves to have in his life. It shows the gilded side of American history with refreshing ideas of happiness and hope. “I, Too, Sing America” by Langston Hughes on the other hand illustrates a split population. One that lives happy and carefree rejoicing about their success while on the other end there is the African American population who have been kicked around and are finally beginning to express themselves and free themselves from the oppression put upon them. It shows a growing population fighting for individual rights while the other group are fighting to defend a lifestyle that has benefited one side of the population. Both poems show different sides of an American lifestyle.
ReplyDelete"I, too, sing America" by Langston Hughes is more similar than not to "I hear American singing" by Walt Whitman. Hughes' poem describes the power that national pride has on someone, even if they are put down by society. Hughes also challenges the foundation that America was built on: "the land of the free and the land of equality". Hughes demonstrated how he is put down by the whites when he states "I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen", but he also shows how he creates a voice for himself when he states "Nobody'll dare say to me, 'Eat in the kitche'...they'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed." This poem, I believe, could be seen as a response to Whitman's poem by the way that Whitman describes how everyone is supposedly at work during the day, but they come together at night. Hughes argues this idea by describing how the whites send him away when it's time to eat. Whitman is putting on a mask over America and trying to make them seem more united and better than they were at this time and point during this time of America's history.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the poem "I, Too, Sing America" by Langston Hughes is a response to Walt Whitman's "I hear America singing" the poems are different along with their views of America. Whitman talks about America with all different types of people honoring or "singing" to America. These different people are not separated by race though, only jobs. "The carpenter singing... The mason singing... The boatman singing... The deckhand singing... The shoemaker singing... The wood-cutter singing..." This leaves out the minority or the blacks. In the poem by Hughes he talks about the minority or the left out also singing to America. "I am the darker brother." Hughes is trying to portray how African Americans are also part of America and the honoring of it but they are not properly acknowledged. "Tomorrow, I'll be at the table, when company comes, Nobody'll dare, Say to me, 'Eat in the kitchen'. " Because Whitman left out people who are still part of America and who still honor it, Hughes responded in a way that hopefully gave hope to the minority to fight for their freedom and equality.
ReplyDeleteLangston Hughes' poem "I, too, Sing America" and Walt Whitman's poem "I hear America singing" are different in the sense of how they are arguing for America. Whitman speaks in more of a lighthearted tone about America. He talks more of how each part of America works together to complete the country. "each one singing his, as it should be, blithe and strong;" Hughes, on the other hand; writes more of a response to Whitman's. Hughes points out how eventually the slavery whites put blacks through will come back at them. "Nobody 'll dare Say to me, 'Eat in the kitchen'". Whitman and Hughes themes of their topics are different.
ReplyDeleteI hear America singing by Walt Whitman and I, Too, Sing America by Langston Hughes are more different than similar. Whitman groups America as a whole, unlike Hughes. Hughes separates African Americans and White American. In Whitman's poem he “each one singing his, as it should be, blithe and strong;” this shows that Whitman believes that America is one united group who work together. In Hughes poem he states “They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes,” This shows how Hughes says that America is separate, into blacks and whites. A similarity between Whitman and Hughes is that though Whitman unites America for the most part, he does group them by their jobs, the mechanics, the carpenter, mason, boatman, and shoemaker. So even though Whitman and Hughes both technically group America, Hughes grouping are harsh.
ReplyDeleteAlthough they seem somewhat similar because of the sense of patriotism towards America, Whitman's I Hear America Singing and Langston Hughes' I,Too, Sing America are really very different. The mood of the first poem is optimistic and cheerful. It seems almost a little too happy because it glorifies all parts of America when really not everyone sings in the sense of joy. Even though Whitman says, “...the varied carols I hear;” it shows that while everyone sings differently, they still all sing together showing that everyone comes to unite for America. I, Too, Sing America also involves the singing in America but the singing does not seem to mean the same thing. The singing in this poem is more of a song of hope and loyalty than a song of joy. It shows the irony and almost naivety of the first song because it portrays as everyone having a different but united voice when I, Too, Sing America shows that everyone had a different separated voice because of racism. The “darker brother” was sent to the kitchen but when he says “...Tomorrow, I'll be at the table. When company comes. Nobody'll dare say to me, 'Eat in the kitchen...'” he shows a prospect of hope for America to truly reach what was expressed in I Hear America Singing. The poems compliment each other in this way that they are different but work together to show the aspects of American racism and the change that the Harlem Renaissance brought.
ReplyDeleteThese poems are very similar, the poem by Langston Hughes is about how he needs to be treated equally, that he too is an American, no matter the color of his skin. The poem by Walt Whitman however, is about how everyone is there own individual, but together we are one. Near the end of Hughes' poem he says "I, too, am America," showing that no matter the color of his skin, he is still a part of this country. "At night, the party of young fellows, robust, friendly," shows that they too can be together as friends, no matter their flaws, profession, or even skin color.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the title and the similar patriotism and tone would lead the reader to believe these poems are not the same. Whitman speaks about a harmonious and beautiful America. Meanwhile Hughes poem is a story of personal triumph in the making and overcoming obstacles to become beautiful like America as well, "tomorrow I'll be at the table."
ReplyDeleteBy comparing Walt Whitman's “I Hear America Singing” to Langston Hughes' “I, Too, Sing, America”, it becomes clear that these poems exhibit more differences in their views of America, their praises, and their purpose overcome their similarities. To begin with, Walt Whitman views America as a place of unity in which every person has a set role. America sings because everyone has a specified place in society and a special flavor to add to the country. In contrast, Langston Hughes sees America as a place that is still divided. From his perspective, America lacks harmony because the songs of the African Americans have been placed in the background. Becoming part of America's song requires African Americans to break free of their traditional roles. Thus, these poems differ because “I Hear America Singing” views America as a great nation because of its set roles while “I, Too, Sing America” argues America needs to rid itself of traditional stereotypes. These poems differ further differ in the themes and ideas that they celebrate. Walt Whitman's “I Hear America Singing” celebrates America in the present. He supports America as a country full of life, the result of many singing together and living. In contrast, Langston Hughes' poem celebrates a future America. His poem advocates for the future when Blacks will be treated as equals; “Tomorrow, I'll be at the table, When company comes. Nobody'll dare, Say to me, 'Eat in the kitchen,' then.” Thus, these poems differ because, while one praises America in the present, the other praises America in the future. “I Hear America Singing” and “I, Too, Sing America” also differ in their purposes. The purpose of “I Hear America Singing” is to celebrate America and help Americans feel more national pride. In contrast, Langston Hughes wrote his poem in order to provide other African Americans gain pride. He informs them of their own beauty and tells them that the whites will one day be ashamed of viewing them as ugly. In addition, by promising them a tomorrow of equality, he tries to convince his African American audience to continue their fight for Civil Rights. The purpose of both poems is to encourage pride, but while one cheers Americans in general, the second poem is specifically pointed towards African Americans. In addition, while “I Hear America Singing” focuses on creating pride in the present, Langston Hughes' focus in a campaign for a better America. These differences in views of America, celebrations, and advocacy outnumber any similarities between Whitman's “I Hear America Singing” and Hughes' “I, Too, Sing America”.
ReplyDeleteWalt Whitman's, "I hear America singing" and Langston Hughes', "I, Too, Sing America" are more similar then not. Both of these poems are discussing how America works to keep a stable country. In Whitman's poem however he suggests that the whole population works together to create a great nation. He suggests that America is unified. In Hughes' poem however, he is trying to explain to the reader that America, should, be unified and that just because someone is of a different race or color they should not be discriminated against. Whitman's poem suggests that America is unified at that time and Hughes suggests that America needs, to be unified in order to accomplish great things and keep a stable nation.
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