Whitman vs. Hughes

1.) After reading these two poems I see that these two men are writing from completely different worlds. One is a member of the white blue collar society, while the other is on the outside looking in. Hughes, like most blacks in the past was rejected by this false notion of a great America that Whitman describes. It kind of reminds me (although I know it is not the most popular in our class) of Harry Potter whenever he is with his Aunt, Uncle, and Dudley. They make him sleep under the stairs and put him in his room when company comes over; I’m sure you know the story. But they accept him into their house but reject him as a member of the family. It is like although blacks who were "accepted" in the households of whites, were an embarrassment or an imperfection in what the storybook America looked like to outsiders. Or just what it looked like to those who refused to see it otherwise, like Whitman.


2.) America has often been described as the land of opportunity; a place where groups of individuals who would never had been acquainted become successful and one under the flag of the United States. In these contrasting poems, “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman, and “I, Too, Sing America” by Langston Hughes, the views and experiences of the two authors are quite different from one another. However, the theme of independence is supported with the mutual acknowledgement of brotherhood and separation by each author.
Whitman’s narrative begins by claiming that he hears America singing, but through ‘varied carols.’ He illustrates that although everyone is in fact singing, it is not in unison. Whitman further expresses the separation of groups by listing an assortment of tradesmen who are singing about the items only they possess. If this desire for independence and self success is not obvious to the reader throughout the poem, line 12 reads, “Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else.” This clearly shows that Whitman is trying to convey the fact that Americans are happy when they own something that no one else does. Although Whitman could continue with this independent almost selfish attitude he decides to demonstrate that Americans only live this life in the day, and at night come together to sing in unison. Whitman uses the break in line 13, as a symbol of the end of the work day and selfishness, and beginning of the night and togetherness.
Hughes also is a member of this society, however, an outcast. Although Whitman never directly claims that he is only speaking of white men and women singing, it is implied considering they were the only ones who held those types of jobs in his time. By stating that he is the ‘darker brother’ Hughes is describing himself and black people in society as the black sheep of America; but members nonetheless. By stating that blacks accept eating in the kitchen alone rather than at the table with company; Hughes is claiming that through the rejection of whites, blacks have grown together strong in unison. They do not have the varied carols described by Whitman because they are a union. When they become strong enough, they will force their way into society and whites after neglecting the proud and beautiful race, will offer them a spot at their table.
To every good side of a story, there is a bad one. Whitman’s America, although separated into groups and reliant on self independence, every person in his poem was cheerful and proud of what they had accomplished. To Whitman, a white man himself; this was America. Hughes responds from the other side of view. He speaks for the other group represented by America, the group who was given no choices and neglected. Unlike Whitman’s groups, who were all self determined and chosen by the members; the members of Hughes group were only there based on their skin color. Although blacks were segregated from whites in everyway possible; Hughes describes that there is a change coming. No longer will this disrespect be accepted by the blacks; they know they are strong and will make their impression in the white society.
Hughes’ response to Whitman is one with contradiction and promise. He says that Whitman’s America, although existent, does not represent his America. Whitman’s does not include those who were shunned and hidden to create it, but those who have suffered because of it will rise up and overcome.