Social Commentary in Poetry

o What is the topic of this poem?

o What is the author’s attitude toward the topic?

o Why do you think the author chose poetry as the medium to convey his message?

I, TooBY LANGSTON HUGHES

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.They send me to eat in the kitchenWhen company comes,But I laugh,And eat well,And grow strong.

Tomorrow,I’ll be at the tableWhen company comes.Nobody’ll dareSay to me,“Eat in the kitchen,”Then.

Besides,They’ll see how beautiful I amAnd be ashamed—

I, too, am America.

We Real CoolBy Gwendolyn Brooks

The Pool Players. Seven at the Golden Shovel.

We real cool. WeLeft school. We

Lurk late. WeStrike straight. We

Sing sin. WeThin gin. We

Jazz June. WeDie soon.

• From whose perspective is this poem written?

• What feelings do the last two lines invoke?

• What is the poem’s message?

• What differences and similarities does it share with “I, Too”?

How does your interpretation of “We Real Cool” compare to the author’s?