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Poem
November 19, 1935
The Washington Tribune
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
In 'America,' Claude McKay's sonnet conveys a defiant love for the nation despite its oppressive 'bitterness' and 'hate,' likening the poet's resilience to a rebel facing a king, foreseeing the country's enduring yet eroding power.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
America
By CLAUDE MCKAY
Although she feeds me bread with
bitterness.
And sinks into my
throat her
tiger's tooth.
Stealing my breath of life, I will
confess,
I love this cultured hell that tests
my youth!
Her vigor flows like tides into my
blood.
Giving me strength
against her
hate.
Her bigness sweeps my being like
a flood.
Yet, as a rebel fronts a King in
state.
I stand within her walls with not
a shred
Of terror, malice, not a word of
jeer.
Darkly I gaze into the days ahead.
And see her might and granite
wonders there,
Beneath the touch of Time's unerring
hand,
Like priceless treasures sinking in
the sand.
By CLAUDE MCKAY
Although she feeds me bread with
bitterness.
And sinks into my
throat her
tiger's tooth.
Stealing my breath of life, I will
confess,
I love this cultured hell that tests
my youth!
Her vigor flows like tides into my
blood.
Giving me strength
against her
hate.
Her bigness sweeps my being like
a flood.
Yet, as a rebel fronts a King in
state.
I stand within her walls with not
a shred
Of terror, malice, not a word of
jeer.
Darkly I gaze into the days ahead.
And see her might and granite
wonders there,
Beneath the touch of Time's unerring
hand,
Like priceless treasures sinking in
the sand.
What sub-type of article is it?
Sonnet
What themes does it cover?
Political
Liberty Independence
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
America
Bitterness
Hate
Rebel
Strength
Might
Granite Wonders
Time's Hand
What entities or persons were involved?
By Claude Mckay
Poem Details
Title
America
Author
By Claude Mckay
Form / Style
Shakespearean Sonnet In Iambic Pentameter
Key Lines
I Love This Cultured Hell That Tests My Youth!
Yet, As A Rebel Fronts A King In State.
Darkly I Gaze Into The Days Ahead.
Beneath The Touch Of Time's Unerring Hand,
Like Priceless Treasures Sinking In The Sand.