I Hear America Singing and I, Too, Sing America. How does structure develop theme?

Transcription

1 I Hear America Singing and I, Too, Sing America How does structure develop theme?

2 How to Read a Poem Asking Questions Who is the speaker? What circumstances gave rise to the poem? What situation is presented? Who or what is the audience? What is the tone? What form, if any, does the poem take? How is form related to content? Is sound an important, active element of the poem? Does the poem spring from an identifiable historical moment? Does the poem speak from a specific culture? Does the poem have its own vernacular? Does the poem use imagery to achieve a particular effect? What kind of figurative language, if any, does the poem use? If the poem is a question, what is the answer? If the poem is an answer, what is the question? What does the title suggest? Does the poem use unusual words or use words in an unusual way?

3 Task: Write an analytical essay discussing the theme of I Hear America Singing and I, Too and how the author develops that theme.

4 Task: Write an analytical essay discussing the theme of I Hear America Singing and I, Too and how the author develops that theme.

5 I Hear America Singing Walt Whitman, I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong, The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam, The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work, The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands, The wood-cutter s song, the ploughboy s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown, The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing, Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else, The day what belongs to the day at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs. I, Too, Sing America Langston Hughes, ( ) I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I ll be at the table When company comes. Nobody ll dare Say to me, Eat in the kitchen," Then. Besides, They ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed I, too, am America.

6 Ideal a conception of something in its perfection. or a standard of perfection or excellence.

7 I Hear America Singing Walt Whitman, I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong, The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam, The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work, The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands, The wood-cutter s song, the ploughboy s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown, The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing, Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else, The day what belongs to the day at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs. Originally Published 1860 Tone: Look at the Word choices +connotation =diction Structure: Repetition the same phrasing ("The + [profession] + singing") dominates the beginning of many of its lines What is this poem about? Speaker praises the hard work and effort of a group of diverse workers who each day provide the nation with its energy and strength. What is it really about? Possible Theme: Hard work and determination are America s strength. (IDEALLY)

8 Originally Published 194 Tone: Look at the Word choices +connotation =diction Structure: Repetition the similar phrasing at the beginning and end. The poem opens and closes with a pair of stand alone lines. In between there are two stanzas of similar length and one short three-line stanza. What is this poem about? Speaker responds to Whitman s poem saying that African American s have been left out, sent to eat in the kitchen but speaks of a day when no one will dare to exclude or reject the darker brother. What is it really about? Possible Theme: Exclusion and hope, Ideally African Americans will be included in Whitman s ideal America I, Too, Sing America Langston Hughes, ( ) I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I ll be at the table When company comes. Nobody ll dare Say to me, Eat in the kitchen," Then. Besides, They ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed I, too, am America.

9 I Hear America Singing I, Too, Sing America Tone Style Structure Meaning Style: the same phrasing repetition, imagery of bluecollar workers and not personal, more objective voice Structure: Repetition the same phrasing ("The + [profession] + singing") dominates the beginning of many of its lines Hard Work Share patriotic tone Both establish the idea America's strength and determination but Style: Uses metaphors like Eat in the kitchen. Uses first person making voice personal, powerful Structure: The poem opens and closes with a pair of stand alone lines. In between there are two stanzas of similar length and one short three-line stanza. Exclusion-Hope

10 I. Introduction Paragraph A. VERY general info about topic (but not vague) B. More specific about topic(s) C. Thesis statement: specifically says what you ll be discussing in body paragraphs Although each poet uses a different style, the themes similarly portray America s ideals. Task: Write an analytical essay discussing the theme of I Hear America Singing and I, Too and how the author develops that theme. II. III. Body Paragraph # 1 Discuss the theme of I Hear America Singing and how the author develops that theme through style. A. Topic sentence B. Explain/Evidence Body Paragraph # 2 Discuss the theme of I, Too and how the author develops that theme through style. A. Topic sentence B. Explain/Evidence Longest IV. Conclusion Paragraph A. Restate thesis B. Summarize main points C. Concluding Statement Shortest

11 Both Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman, though from different time periods, write poems about America with a sense of pride. Though the term, American Dream had not been coined at the time Whitman wrote his famous poem, I Hear America Singing, it acknowledges the concept of pride in ownership through hard work and a dream. Langston Hughes, in his poem I, too, Sing America, tells a more somber tale of one day overcoming oppression and becoming a respected part of society Although each poet uses a different style, the themes similarly portray America s ideals. Introduction Paragraph 1. VERY general introduction to topic 2. What Whitman s Poem is about 3. What Hugh s poem is about 4. Thesis Statement: What the essay will be about