Vocab
What does “bread of bitterness” symbolize in the poem?
Answer: Poisoned opportunity / Painful experiences in America)
What does the speaker mean by “stealing my breath of life”
America is taking away his spirit/life force
What kind of figurative language is “Her vigor flows like tides”?
Simile
What is the tone of the poem?
Bitter but admiring, critical but strong
Harlem, New York, New York
What does the phrase “cultured hell” suggest about America?
Answer: Beautiful on the outside but cruel underneath
What is the shift that occurs in line 9 of the poem?
From personal pain to strength and defiance
Name one metaphor used in the poem.
“Bread of bitterness,” “tiger’s tooth,” “cultured hell”
What is one major theme of the poem?
Love and resistance can coexist
What was Claude McKay known for?
Political poetry that mixed traditional with radical
What is the meaning of “tiger’s tooth” in the poem?
Represents violence or harm inflicted by America
What does “Yet, as a rebel fronts a king in state…” suggest?
He bravely stands up to America like a rebel to a ruler
How is personification used in the poem?
America is described as feeding, sinking teeth, giving strength, like a person
How does the speaker view America's future? (+100 points if you name the quote)
Its power will fade; "treasures sinking in the sand"
What is a downside of the harlem renaissance mentioned in the slideshow?
Economic problems, gender inequality, or limited impact
In the poem’s ending, what does “priceless treasures sinking in the sand” refer to?
Answer: America's power eventually fading with time
Why does McKay say he loves America despite its cruelty?
Because it challenges him and gives him strength
Why does the poem use strong imagery and metaphors?
To show the speaker's intense, complex feelings about America
What does the poem say about the relationship between struggle and strength?
Struggle gives the speaker power to resist and grow
How did McKay influence others?
He pushed artistic and political boundaries; global influence