Compare and contrast poems

my city" by James Weldon Johnson, and "if we must die" by Claude McKay

   In the poems ‘my city' and ‘if we must die', the authors use a courageous tone in saying that despite the racism and prejudices which the African Americans experienced while in the U.S,  they have a feeling of pride.  In ‘my city', the author argues that African Americans loved the city of Manhattan and they could not wish to be unattached from this city.   In the line,   ‘But, ah! Manhattan's sights and sounds, her smell, (Huggins, 72) the author argues that in Manhattan, he has experienced freedom and happiness, new experiences and opportunities.   However, he will be detached from the excitement and joy when he dies, and for this reason, he cherishes every moment of his life because he will miss the most important things (Huggins, 72).  Similar,  Claude Mckay in the poem ‘if we must die'   is using a courageous tone in telling his allies that not to become weak in fighting their enemies but they should remain strong and fight back.  In the line, ‘pressed to the wall, dying,  but fighting back',  (Caplan , 12) the author says that even though they are not powerful like their enemies, they should resist them and ensure that  even if death comes, they will be honored.  The two poems have similar message that encourages people to enjoy every moment of life with pride and they should not create a room for defeat.  Both poems mean that   Africans Americans made sacrifices to ensure that they achieved freedom, happiness.

 However, the two poems differ in that even though they deliver a similar message, they reflect a different background. In other words, in the poem ‘my city'   the author has already enjoyed life in the city and he regrets the things he will leave behind as he dies.  He will not see trees, flowers, streams and other things of nature. At this point, he uses a sad tone since death is inevitable (Huggins, 72). However, he is embracing is all important things in life while he is alive.  On the other hand, the author is in the midst of struggles and he maintains his encouraging tone by saying that African Americans should not lose hope but they should stand strong until they achieve their freedom (Caplan, 12).

 

 Work cited

Huggins, Nathan I. Voices of the Harlem Renaissance. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995. Print.

Caplan, D. Questions of possibility: Contemporary poetry and poetic form. 2005,  New York: Oxford

University Press.