Connotative Meaning Of I Too By Langston Hughes
Equality at the Kitchen Table
Connotative and denotative meanings of words and phrases are the backbone for African American literature. In “I, Too” by Langston Hughes, Hughes uses words and phrases that have a deeper underlying meaning than what they appear to be. With his work focused on the equality of blacks in early America it makes it easier to pull out the words and phrases that have these subliminal meanings. The tones in “I, Too” can be established by seeking the connotative meanings of certain words in each stanza. The use of connotative meanings show the reader how patriotism, determination and advisory are the tones in “I, Too”. In the first stanza the reader can see that Hughes is stating that just because he is black does
not mean that he is not American and he has a purpose of living. By saying “I, too, sing America” (Hughes 1) Hughes establishes the tone of patriotism. The phrase, however, is more than what meets the eye. Hughes rebuttals a classic patriotic American poet by the name of Walt Whitman who published a poem called “I Hear America Singing”. In “I Hear America Singing” Whitman focuses on white workers and never gives props to black Americans. Hughes uses this rebuttal to pretty much say, “Hey, just because we are black doesn’t mean that we are not Americans, too.” He is “the darker brother” In stanza number two Hughes uses the tone of determination. This is simply stated by the one word line “Tomorrow” (Hughes 8). Obviously, the literal definition of tomorrow is “on or for the day after today.” However, Hughes connotative meaning of the word is sometime in the future. He uses this word to show the tone of determination. Following this line he says “I’ll be at the table” (Hughes 9). He uses the table as a symbol of equality. It is apparent that the simple things we take for granted today, like eating at a dinner table, were the goals of mistreated servants or slaves. In the final stanza Hughes forewarns the reader that the people who have put him and his race down for many years will indeed regret mistreating them. He says, “They’ll see how beautiful I am” (Hughes 15). He doesn’t mean that they will admire the physical appearances but instead the beauty of the African American race and what they have to offer society. This tone of advisory is not rooted from threat but promises. In conclusion, by looking beneath the surface of the words and phrases used in “I, Too” and understanding the connotative meanings, the reader can understand the theme of equality and the many tones that follow. Hughes gives us a classic example of a poet using connotative and denotative meanings to express patriotism, determination and advisory.
Works Cited
Hughes, Langston. “I, Too” Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writitng. Ed. X. J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. 12th ed. New York: Pearson, 2013. 1019. Print.
Connotative and denotative meanings of words and phrases are the backbone for African American literature. In “I, Too” by Langston Hughes, Hughes uses words and phrases that have a deeper underlying meaning than what they appear to be. With his work focused on the equality of blacks in early America it makes it easier to pull out the words and phrases that have these subliminal meanings. The tones in “I, Too” can be established by seeking the connotative meanings of certain words in each stanza. The use of connotative meanings show the reader how patriotism, determination and advisory are the tones in “I, Too”. In the first stanza the reader can see that Hughes is stating that just because he is black does
not mean that he is not American and he has a purpose of living. By saying “I, too, sing America” (Hughes 1) Hughes establishes the tone of patriotism. The phrase, however, is more than what meets the eye. Hughes rebuttals a classic patriotic American poet by the name of Walt Whitman who published a poem called “I Hear America Singing”. In “I Hear America Singing” Whitman focuses on white workers and never gives props to black Americans. Hughes uses this rebuttal to pretty much say, “Hey, just because we are black doesn’t mean that we are not Americans, too.” He is “the darker brother” In stanza number two Hughes uses the tone of determination. This is simply stated by the one word line “Tomorrow” (Hughes 8). Obviously, the literal definition of tomorrow is “on or for the day after today.” However, Hughes connotative meaning of the word is sometime in the future. He uses this word to show the tone of determination. Following this line he says “I’ll be at the table” (Hughes 9). He uses the table as a symbol of equality. It is apparent that the simple things we take for granted today, like eating at a dinner table, were the goals of mistreated servants or slaves. In the final stanza Hughes forewarns the reader that the people who have put him and his race down for many years will indeed regret mistreating them. He says, “They’ll see how beautiful I am” (Hughes 15). He doesn’t mean that they will admire the physical appearances but instead the beauty of the African American race and what they have to offer society. This tone of advisory is not rooted from threat but promises. In conclusion, by looking beneath the surface of the words and phrases used in “I, Too” and understanding the connotative meanings, the reader can understand the theme of equality and the many tones that follow. Hughes gives us a classic example of a poet using connotative and denotative meanings to express patriotism, determination and advisory.
Works Cited
Hughes, Langston. “I, Too” Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writitng. Ed. X. J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. 12th ed. New York: Pearson, 2013. 1019. Print.