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Question; Write an essay based on theme entitled A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE
REPRESENTATION OF AFRICA IN BLACK AMERICAN POETRY.

Analysing Black American poetry through Claude Mackay, Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen
involves exploring themes and styles. Mackay poems portrays racism and oppression. Langston
Hughes poems portrays racial pride and resilience of Africa, and Countee cullen poems portrays
themes of cultural heritage of Africans.

The poet Claude Mckay skilfully uses symbolism to convey a deeper meaning in his
poem ‘Outcast’. In line two of stanza one ‘my spirit in bondage by the body …..’he
illustrates how he is stuck by the boundaries and place which hinders him from going
back to the place where his ancestors were free. The poet sees Africa as a victim if
racism this is evident how he struggles with racial identity which also happens in the
predicament of Blacks. The Africans had thirst , longing for acceptance and
belonging due to the unacceptability and discrimination they faced. For instance in
line 2-3 in stanza 1 ‘My spirit bondage by the body , longs words felt but never
heard , my lips would frame….’

Use of personification. In ‘Outcast’ by Claude Mckay human attributes are given to

inanimanate objects. It is expressed in line two stanza two ‘western world holds me in
fee’. The western is given human attributes of holding the Blacks. According to the
poet the Blacks are held in captive depicting the theme of oppression . The Blacks
are longing to go back to their homes because they are under subjugation and
slavery.
Use of metaphors. In ‘The Negro speaks river’ the speaker in the poem reflects a
deep connection between the river and the enduring spirits of Black people. It
portrays the Blacks perseverance despite of the obstacles and social injustices they
faced in the Americans communities .Langston Hughes expressed this as their souls
growing deep like rivers. The theme of resilience by the Blacks is portrayed in this
illustration.

Theme of racial pride. It involves celebrating and valuing the cultural and historical
aspects associated with particular ethnic group. The line ‘ I have known rivers as
ancient as the world ‘ reveals to the audience that diverse Negro communities existed
before the early years of civilization. Use of river is used as a metaphor .Through his
poem Langston Hughes ,aims was to achieve solidarity and racial pride.

Use of rhetoric questions. In ‘heritage’ by Countee Cullen employs skilfully the use
of rhetorical questions which serves to engage readers, provoke thoughts and creates
a reflective atmosphere. The speaker in the poem asks ‘what is Africa to me’. The
speaker maybe exploring their relationship with Africa, pondering the significance it
holds in their life or questioning how they relate to the continent Africa. The
country they are living bears the responsibility for dispossessing their cultural identity
as well as historical heritage The poem shows how the blacks relationship with their
African roots was destroyed by slavery. This depict theme of identity crisis.

Use of imagery. In ‘heritage’ by Countee Cullen imagery plays a crucial role in

deepening the understanding of the poem. He uses expression like ‘bitter woulds ’and
‘scarlet mouths’ to represent the hostility environment they are living in. He also
uses religious imagery I.e ‘ Christ bleeding feet’ . . It is used to reflect the historical
and cultural dimensions of Blacks heritage. It invites readers to engage emotionally
and intellectually.