Text 2: “I, Too, Sing America” by Langston Hughes
1 I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
5 But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I’ll be at the table
10 When company comes.
Nobody’ll dare
Say to me,
“Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.
15 Besides,
They’ll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed—
I, too, am America.
2. How do the authors use the structure of the poems to contribute to the meaning of Text 1 and Text 2?
(RL 8.5)
A. In both poems, the poets avoid traditional rhyme scheme to highlight the important role that freedom
has in American life.
B. Whitman gradually increases the length of his lines to emphasize the growing importance of the
American worker, while Hughes varies the line length to call attention to the experience in the kitchen.
C. Both poets use repeated words and phrases to describe American independence.
D. Hughes uses short lines to tell a simple story, while Whitman uses longer lines to celebrate the
complex role of the American worker
B. Whitman gradually increases the length of his lines to emphasize the growing importance of the American worker, while Hughes varies the line length to call attention to the experience in the kitchen.
To answer this question, you need to analyze the structure of both poems and determine how the authors use it to contribute to the meaning of the texts.
In Text 1, Walt Whitman's "I Hear America Singing," the structure of the poem plays a significant role. The poem consists of a series of individual verses, each dedicated to a different worker. The lines in the poem are of varying lengths, which helps to emphasize the diverse occupations and contributions of the American workers. The use of longer lines in some verses also contributes to the celebration and grandeur of the workers' roles in American society.
In Text 2, Langston Hughes' "I, Too, Sing America," the structure also plays a crucial role. This poem is relatively short and uses shorter lines compared to Whitman's poem. The concise and simple structure of the poem mirrors the experiences of the darker brother who is sent to eat in the kitchen when company comes. The use of short lines allows for a straightforward and impactful storytelling, highlighting the narrator's resilience and determination to overcome discrimination and be acknowledged as an integral part of America.
Based on this analysis, the correct answer to the question is:
D. Hughes uses short lines to tell a simple story, while Whitman uses longer lines to celebrate the complex role of the American worker.