Blog #1

What is the relationship between Hughes's "I, Too" and Whitman's "I Hear America Singing"? How does Hughes respond to Whitman's conception of America?

Part 1)
I enjoyed reading both of the poems. Whitman's poem portrays the pride that Americans have in their work. He talks about each worker singing while they work and being content with their work. I thought it was interesting that the jobs that he mentions are jobs that were popular in the past. I liked how he showed that the people worked hard during the day and partied hard at night. It shows that there are benefits to working hard. Hughes poem was very interesting to read after reading Whitman's. He puts a different spin on the idea of America and points out that there is more to America than the people that Whitman mentions. I thought his poem was more realistic and down to earth.

Part 2)
Whitman describes the blue collared workers of the past and their pride in working. He describes all of them singing while working, showing that they are content with their jobs. He points out that there are "varied carols" and describes several different trades of the times. He also says that each song is personal to each worker, saying, "Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else." He includes that the workers sing during the day, but also, "at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs." Although he describes happy people, he does not mention any of the bad aspects of American life during that time. Hughes responds to Whitman's poem in "I, Too, Sing America." He points out that Whitman did not include all Americans in his poem. He talked about many people, but mostly blue collared white workers. Hughes adds that there are other groups of people, like, "the darker brother." He argues that he is also an American, but sings a slightly different tune. He shows how he is separated by saying, "They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes." He is not discouraged by this situation, and says, "I laugh, and eat well, and grow strong." He knows that in the future, the situation will change and he will no longer have to eat in the kitchen. He knows that the way he is treated is not right, and he knows that more people will realize that in the future. He says, "They'll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed." The last line, "I, too, am America", is very powerful and shows that he wants people to know that he is a part of America. Whitman, possibly unintentionally, does not give a well-rounded picture of American life. Hughes adds the idea that Americans are even more diverse than in Whitman's poem. Hughes provides a more realistic view to life in America.