“I Too Sing America” by Langston Hughes: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “I Too Sing America” by Langston Hughes

“I, Too, Sing America” by Langston Hughes was first published in 1926 in the collection The Weary Blues, establishing Hughes as a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance. The poem’s simple yet powerful language challenges the exclusion of African Americans from the national narrative, asserting the speaker’s equal right to claim American identity. Its themes of resilience, hope, and the struggle for equality resonate deeply with American history, making it a frequent inclusion in school textbooks. The poem serves as a timeless reminder that the story of America cannot be complete without acknowledging the contributions and experiences of all its citizens.

Text: “I Too Sing America” by Langston Hughes

Annotations: “I Too Sing America” by Langston Hughes

Line	Annotation
I, too, sing America.	* Declaration of belonging: The speaker claims a place within American identity, echoing Walt Whitman’s “I Hear America Singing.”*
I am the darker brother.	* Acknowledges racial difference and the segregation that exists within America.*
They send me to eat in the kitchen	* Metaphor for exclusion: The speaker is denied a visible place in society.*
When company comes,	* “Company” symbolizes white society or those in power.*
But I laugh,	* An act of defiance and self-preservation despite the injustice.*
And eat well,	* Emphasis on the speaker’s enjoyment despite their marginalized position.*
And grow strong.	* Resilience and a determination to thrive in the face of oppression.*
Tomorrow,	* Symbolizes hope for a future of equality and recognition.*
I’ll be at the table	* Metaphor for full participation and belonging within American society.*
When company comes.	* Repetition emphasizing the inevitability of change.*
Nobody’ll dare	* Confidence that the speaker’s right to belong will no longer be questioned.*
Say to me,	* Directly challenges those in power or those who perpetuate exclusion.*
“Eat in the kitchen,”	* Repeating the symbol of segregation, now emphasizing its future unacceptability.*
Then.	* A powerful final word marking the anticipated shift toward inclusivity.*
Besides,	* Transition marking an additional reason for the change.*
They’ll see how beautiful I am	* Not just visibility, but a recognition of inherent worth and beauty.*
And be ashamed—	* The oppressor is confronted with the injustice of their actions.*
I, too, am America.	* Reiteration of the opening line, with even more power through the journey of the poem. This is no longer a question, but a declaration.*

Literary and Poetic Devices: “I Too Sing America” by Langston Hughes

Literary/Poetic Device	Example from “I, Too, Sing America”	Explanation
Alliteration	“But … beautiful”	Repetition of consonant sounds adds musicality and emphasis.
Anaphora	“I, too…”, “They’ll…”	Repetition of a phrase at the start of lines for emphasis.
Contrast	“darker brother” vs. “beautiful I am”	Juxtaposes racial identity with inner beauty to challenge stereotypes.
Diction	“sing”, “eat”, “laugh”	Simple, everyday verbs convey strength and dignity.
Enjambment	“…comes,/ But I laugh…”	Lines run into each other creating flow and mirroring defiance of restrictions.
Free Verse	No set rhyme scheme or meter	Reflects a natural, conversational voice and the breaking of traditional forms.
Hyperbole	“Nobody’ll dare”	Exaggeration to emphasize the certainty of change.
Imagery	“eat in the kitchen”	Creates a vivid picture of segregation and inequality.
Metaphor	“darker brother”	Represents the marginalized African American experience.
Metaphor (extended)	The whole poem	Eating at the table symbolizes full participation in society.
Mood	Defiant, resilient, hopeful	The poem shifts from sadness to a strong sense of determination.
Parallelism	“…eat in the kitchen,/ Then.”	Similar grammatical structure for emphasis and to show contrast.
Personification	“America”	The nation is depicted as having human qualities.
Repetition	“I, too”, “eat in the kitchen”	Drives home the speaker’s claim to identity and resistance.
Simile	“And grow strong.” (implicit)	Comparison (without “like” or “as”) emphasizes resilience.
Symbolism	“Kitchen”	Represents segregation and exclusion from society.
Symbolism	“Table”	Represents full societal inclusion and equality.
Synecdoche	“They”	Refers to the dominant white society or those in power.
Tone	Shifts from defiant and proud to assertive and confident	Reflects changing emotions throughout the poem.
Voice	Unapologetic, first-person	Establishes a strong sense of individual identity and agency.

Themes: “I Too Sing America” by Langston Hughes

1. Resilience in the Face of Oppression The speaker endures segregation (“They send me to eat in the kitchen”) but maintains a spirit of defiance and self-worth (“But I laugh, / And eat well, / And grow strong”). This resilience embodies the strength of African Americans in the face of systemic injustice.
2. The Inevitability of Change Despite current exclusion, the poem projects confidence in a future of equality (“Tomorrow, / I’ll be at the table / When company comes”). Lines like “Nobody’ll dare / Say to me, / ‘Eat in the kitchen'” emphasize the certainty of this shift and its grounding in justice.
3. Claiming American Identity The poem’s core message is the speaker’s assertion of belonging: “I, too, sing America. / … I, too, am America.” It challenges the exclusionary narratives that would deny African Americans equal claim to national identity.
4. The Power of Inner Beauty The final lines (“They’ll see how beautiful I am / And be ashamed”) highlight that true worth lies beyond superficial racial markers. This inner beauty will ultimately force a reckoning with the injustice of segregation.

Literary Theories and “I Too Sing America” by Langston Hughes

Literary Theory	Explanation	Example from “I, Too, Sing America”
Harlem Renaissance	A cultural movement centered in 1920s Harlem that celebrated African American identity, creativity, and resistance.	* The poem’s themes of pride, defiance, and hope embody central tenets of the Harlem Renaissance. * Hughes was a major figure in this movement.
Critical Race Theory	Examines the role of race, power, and social structures in literature, and how these forces shape lived experiences.	* Focuses on the speaker’s experience of segregation (“eat in the kitchen”) as a reflection of systemic racism in American society. * The poem challenges notions of American identity by asserting the speaker’s equal claim despite their race.
New Historicism	Considers literature in the context of its specific historical moment and the power dynamics at play.	* Analyzes the poem against the backdrop of the Jim Crow era and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. * The poem’s future-oriented vision challenges the restrictive social norms of its time.
Reader-Response Criticism	Focuses on how a reader’s own experiences and identity shape their interpretation of a text.	* A Black reader might find the poem particularly empowering, while a white reader might feel challenged to confront unconscious biases. * The poem’s themes of identity and resilience can resonate with any reader who has experienced marginalization.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements: “I Too Sing America” by Langston Hughes

Topic	Guiding Question	Thesis Statement
Resilience and Resistance	How does the poem use imagery and tone to portray the speaker’s resilience in the face of oppression?	Hughes’ “I, Too, Sing America” depicts the African American experience of segregation, but its focus lies in the speaker’s unwavering spirit of resistance and self-affirmation.
The Power of Language	How does the poem’s use of simple language and repetition convey a powerful message?	Langston Hughes employs deceptively simple diction and strategic repetition in “I, Too, Sing America” to create a poem that is both accessible and potent in its assertion of equal rights.
Identity and Belonging	How does the speaker challenge traditional notions of American identity and claim a rightful place?	“I, Too, Sing America” redefines the concept of American identity, arguing that it cannot be limited by race and that African Americans are equally integral to the nation’s fabric.
Hope and the Future	How does the poem envision a future of equality and inclusion?	Though it acknowledges current injustice, “I, Too, Sing America” ultimately offers a vision of hope, projecting a future where the speaker’s inherent worth is recognized and full participation in society is granted.

Short Questions/Answers about “I Too Sing America” by Langston Hughes

Q1: What is the central metaphor of the poem? A1: The central metaphor is the act of eating. The speaker being sent to “eat in the kitchen” represents segregation and exclusion from full participation in American society. The speaker’s determination to one day “be at the table” symbolizes the fight for equality and full inclusion.

Q2: How does the poem use repetition? A2: The repetitions of “I, too” and “eat in the kitchen” emphasize the speaker’s unwavering claim to American identity and the injustice of their current exclusion. The repetition reinforces the message and adds a rhythmic, defiant quality to the poem.

Q3: How does the tone of the poem shift? A3: The beginning has a somewhat resigned tone (“They send me to eat in the kitchen”) but shifts to defiance (“But I laugh”) and grows increasingly assertive (“Nobody’ll dare”). This reflects the speaker’s resilience and determination in the face of oppression.

Q4: Why does the speaker say “I, too, am America”? A4: This line challenges the idea that American identity belongs solely to white Americans. It asserts that African Americans, by their experiences, contributions, and very existence, are an inseparable part of the American story.

Literary Works Similar to “I Too Sing America” by Langston Hughes

Other Works by Langston Hughes:

• “Let America Be America Again” (1935):
• This poem delves deeper into the disparity between America’s ideals and the realities faced by marginalized groups. It promotes a vision of a truly inclusive America that lives up to its promises.
• **”The Negro Speaks of Rivers” (1921): ** This poem traces the deep historical roots of African American identity, connecting it to ancient civilizations and emphasizing a rich cultural heritage.

Poetry of Social and Political Critique:

• “The New Colossus” (1883) by Emma Lazarus: Though not directly addressing race, this poem’s emphasis on America as a welcoming haven for the oppressed aligns with Hughes’s vision.
• “I Hear America Singing” (1860) by Walt Whitman: Hughes’ poem is a direct response to Whitman, asserting the place of Black voices within the celebratory chorus of American identity.
• Works from the Civil Rights Movement: Poets like Gwendolyn Brooks, Nikki Giovanni, and others utilized their art to illuminate the Black experience, advocate for social justice, and challenge systemic oppression.

Poetry Emphasizing Resilience and Defiance:

• “Still I Rise” (1978) by Maya Angelou: This poem resonates with Hughes’, emphasizing an unbreakable spirit and determination to overcome adversity.

Suggested Readings for Further Analysis of “I Too Sing America” by Langston Hughes

Books

• Rampersad, Arnold. The Life of Langston Hughes, Volume I: 1902–1941, I, Too, Sing America. Oxford University Press, 2002.
• Soto, Michael, editor. Teaching the Harlem Renaissance: Reevaluating Literature, History, and the Social Context. Peter Lang, 2008.
• Tracy, Steven C. Langston Hughes and the Blues. University of Illinois Press, 1988.

Articles

• Spicer, Eloise Y. “THE BLUES AND THE SON: REFLECTIONS OF BLACK SELF ASSERTION IN THE POETRY OF LANGSTON HUGHES AND NICOLAS GUILLEN.” The Langston Hughes Review, vol. 3, no. 1, 1984, pp. 1–12. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/26432685. Accessed 12 Apr. 2024.

Websites

• Academy of American Poets: https://poets.org/poet/langston-hughes – Offers a biography, poetry collection, and further resources on Hughes.
• Modern American Poetry: [invalid URL removed] – Provides access to a selection of Hughes’ poems, audio recordings, and critical essays.
• The Langston Hughes Society: – Dedicated to the study of Hughes, offers publications, conferences, and resources for exploring his life and work.