Compare And Contrast Frederick Douglass And I Too

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African Americans have felt oppressed for several years, beginning from when they were slaves in America and even when they became free citizens. Two pieces of literature which clearly explicate how African Americas they felt when they were persecuted are I, Too by Langston Hughes and Frederick Douglas by Robert Hayden. While Hayden portrays that attaining freedom is inevitable and pays tribute to Frederick Douglas for helping African Americans attain freedom, Hughes clearly portrays that African Americans have hope for that racial equality will be established one day. The poem Frederick Douglas by Robert Hayden mainly focuses on Frederick Douglas’ fight in order to help all African Americans to achieve freedom and the struggle of obtaining …show more content…

This work of literature begins with the narrator asserting that he also could “sing America,” signifying his love for America even though he is the “darker brother” who doesn’t have the same privileges as the lighter brothers. The first line indicates that the speaker is indeed patriotic to America even though he isn’t a lighter brother. The speaker continues to explain that because he is a darker brother, he must only eat in the kitchen and isn’t allowed to sit at the table. This suggests that the time period is during the time of racial segregation. Although he isn’t allowed to sit at the table or has to eat in the kitchen, the speaker doesn’t become gloomy, but instead becomes hopeful that change will come. He doesn’t criticize the lighter brothers, but rather is determined and positive that things will change soon. The speaker is hopeful that “tomorrow” he too will be seated at the table and won’t have to eat in the kitchen. He is optimistic in that others will see that he is also “beautiful” and will become ashamed. This poem is also formed with free verses, which signify that this poem is also attempting to symbolize the impression of freedom with the poem running freely. Hence it is clear that Hughes believes that racial equality is certain and has hope that it will come

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