Claude McKay:The Power and Duality in his Poetry Parth Shah College

The Harlem Renaissance was a period when African-American writers, artists expressed and articulated themselves through their writing and art. It was a remarkable era, as for the first time in history, African-American writers and poets were popularly accredited in America. While many of the writers of the Harlem Renaissance were born and raised in the U.S., McKay, of Jamaican origin, was slanted differently vis-à-vis his viewpoint. His poems 'America' and 'If We Must Die' explored the intricate and unique connection African Americans had with their ethnicity. His poems chanted America with words that mixed love and hate, pain and pleasure, contempt and veneration. He viewed America impassionately with all its virtues and vices because he had chosen America as his home. By probing ‘America’ and ‘If We Must Die’, one discovers how McKay builds upon Du Bois’ concept of “Double consciousness” which is shown through his adoration and frustration for America in the former poem and repulsion in the latter, ergo giving a voice to Black Americans to discuss the subtle and overt identity conflict and racism.

Respect and revulsion are two of the most overwhelming emotions that can be experienced. Outwardly, these sentiments appear...