America

This poem by Claude McKay was one that I found to be quite interesting.

This poem, I believe, is mainly about the experiences of the speaker, whom I interpreted to be Mr. McKay, in America.

"Although she feeds me bread of 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!"

I interpreted this as his way of saying that while there are hardships in his life that stem from America [America being the "she" in the poem], he still likes being there. I know that there were many issues that revolved around race; I interpreted those issues to be some of his 'tests' of his youth.

"Her vigor flows like tides into my blood,
Giving me strength erect against her hate.
Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood."

Going back to the racial issues, I considered that those issues were what he was referring to in this section. "Her vigor", I figured was the opinions that many people had towards those of different races, but somehow he gains strength from those very opinoins.

"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."

I saw this as the speaker saying that while he is aggrivated and feels somewhat bitter, he will not be fearful or hateful.

"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."
(America, Claude McKay)

He knows that there are many more trying days ahead in dealing with these issues and opinions, but he is hopeful that one day this country can move past them and only time would tell.


I'm not quite sure if anyone else interpreted the poem this way, but this is just what I got out of it.