Although Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and African Americans were instilled with great purpose, they still struggled to lay claim to their freedom due to the unwillingness of the South to let go. This physical struggle was represented in Johnson's poem “O Southland!” The poem begins with the speaker being sympathetic towards the African American race and asking Southland a series of rhetorical questions. The repetition of “O Southland! O Southland!” at the beginning of each stanza makes the speaker’s tone seem pleading (“Southland” 1.1). The speaker asks if Southland has not heard news about the “watchword,” “hope-word,” or new “gospel” about equality for all men (“Southland” 1.5,7). Additionally, the speaker …show more content…
Moreover, Southland “still cling[s]” to a “musty page” of history (“Southland” 3.18,19). The poet’s word choice of “cling” suggests that Southland is desperate to stay stuck in the past. However, the speaker defends the African American’s freedom by arguing that the “world is young again” and men are in their rightful place in society (“Southland” 3.22,24). Perhaps, the speaker comments that the “world is young again” because African American children are no longer expected to be men. Additionally, perhaps the speaker says that men are in their rightful place because now God is the only ruler of a race. In stanza 4, the speaker takes pride in the fact that Southland is his home by saying “my Southland! O birthland” (“Southland” 4.25,26). Similarly, the speaker’s tone shifts as he recognizes Southland, saddened by the fact that Southland is not recognizing him. The speaker urges Southland to live up to the obligations they have made-- America has made. They should not be prideful in pushing around the weak. Strength can only be found in those who help others, because in return, those ‘others’ help
men from the South … twenty years ago”), and in Lines 154-155 (“And I have not the slightest doubt that good men from everywhere in this country, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, from the Golden Gate to the harbors along the Atlantic, will rally now together in this cause to vindicate the freedom of all Americans”) where in all of these lines, everyone is included as there is no excuse from anyone to not be a part of this cause, as well as it brings attention from the audience to the speaker and a connection between both of
Alfred M. Green’s speech, declared in Pennsylvania in April 1861, attempts to galvanize fellow African Americans to take action and join the Union army. In order to firmly appeal to those within his audience, Green initially starts his speech off with an appeal to ethos that is founded upon multiple allusions which later segues into a metaphors and an appeal to pathos which prompts an anaphora and a cumulative sentence laced with powerful, emotionally charged diction.
In Joan Didion’s “Los Angeles Notebook”, her description of the the Santa Ana Winds encompasses an eerie and menacing style which shows how she views the wind as frightening and powerful, yet sinister and awe-inspiring. The wind, in the view of Roger Ascham, which can be seen in his excerpt in “Toxophilus” contrasts with that of Didion’s because of the way he writes about it on a more serene level. While both authors are writing about wind, their diction, imagery, syntax, and tone give similarities and differences between the two literary pieces.
In conclusion, the poem was used as a key to unlock some of the thoughts the negro had concerning Africa. The negro in this poem was a representative of all negroes during this time; their thoughts and the their feelings toward Africa. Cullen’s usage of the literary devices allow for an effective expression of the meaning of this poem. Poems are intensified language of experience, so the devices assured the connection of the reader to the poem and the experience. This applies to many issues in society today because as beautiful as our country is there are still dark clouds that cover the very essence of what the states once stood
A black abolitionist, Alfred M. Green, encourages African Americans to fight alongside Union forces in the Civil War, in his speech in Philadelphia. Green does so by using an empathetic tone with the choice of words that resonate with his “brethren” as well as paying homage to previous U.S’ heroes, and establishing himself as an educated figure who the audience can adore and listen to.
Human behavior is often affected by nature, as displayed in “Los Angeles Notebook” by Joan Didion. The author creates a foreboding atmosphere by describing the power of the blustery, dry and warm Santa Ana winds of Los Angeles (UCLA Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences). Through the use of figurative language, diction, and imagery, Didion argues that winds trigger unusual behavior in people.
Ch.1 Most of us re aware of the African-American history containing much violence, oppression and belittling. However, grasping all the details of what they experienced is difficult Even upon receiving their “freedom” they were greeted with another era of beatings, humility, shame and, worst of all, lynching. When, quite literally, the shackles came off, they believed a better life awaited them in the near distance. Instead, they were shoved back into a state of fear and shame for those who lived in the south.
Have you ever listened to the song “Southern Nights” by Glen Campbell and wondered what it was about? When you listen to the figurative language and the tone you will begin to understand what the purpose of the song is. The format of the song also helps the listener tune into the shifts of the song.
The Weary Blues, written by Langston Hughes and published in 1926, won Hughes his first poetry prize. Hughes is a well-known African American poet who often wrote about the struggles for African Americans during the Harlem Renaissance, he uses figurative language in the poem to describe loneliness and despair, and the relationship between the speaker and performer, in order to make the reader better understand the blues.
All three of the poems discussed in this essay relate to the struggles suffered by African Americans in the late 18th century to the early 19th century in many different ways. They had to live under harsh
The future looked brighter than ever for African Americans in the year 1865; Union victory, emancipation, the right to vote, education and opportunity were on the horizon. However, the post-civil war time period proved to be much different than anticipated. Although blacks were eager to demonstrate their democratic participation and inclusion, they were often faced with opposition and disenfranchisement, especially during and after reconstruction. This oscillating and contradictory battle for African American equality is seen best in primary sources of the time; written by known historical figures such as Robert B. Elliott (but also everyday documents such as contracts and petitions) these sources take us back in time for a first hand and inside look of the struggle between blacks and whites on the definition of freedom.
The benefits of using medical cannabis to manage such conditions as chronic pain or anxiety have been proven through years of effective testing. Even as Canada moves to legalize recreational marijuana at the federal level, however, there are still many questions surrounding medical marijuana. Many doctors still feel uncomfortable authorizing cannabis as a solution. But the largest question for new patients is often, “Where can I get medical marijuana?” which in the age of the internet becomes, “Should I buy medical cannabis online?”
In the poem ,“America”, Claude McKay uses figurative language and diction to create a dark tone, a powerful empowering tone, and an optimistic tone. The theme of double consciousness of African-Americans is supported in the poem and the poem itself also connects to the purpose of the Harlem Renaissance which was to fight back racial hate and stereotypes with black empowerment.
This poem is written from the perspective of an African-American from a foreign country, who has come to America for the promise of equality,
Throughout time we see African American literature go through it rigorous period of troubled times. It was not often that African-American poets or writers came together to share their identical thoughts. But, this may have come from some being born in different time periods, or it may have come from the location that many had to reside in to not be persecuted or damned from society. Although these writers may have never co-existed amongst one another, their writings shared the same ideas. America needed to offer freedom and equality for blacks across the country, and to be given anything of less standard was deemed unacceptable.