Comparing Whitman's 'I Hear America Singing' and Hughes' 'I, Too Sing America'

The poems "I Hear America Singing" by Walt Whitman, and "I, Too Sing America" by Langston Hughes are two poems both written in the late 1800's/ early 1900's. They both have an everlasting effect on America and inspirational values, but they vary in topics.

As stated before, these two poems are very similar in a whole. They both carry a strength throughout their entire poems. The poems also shows people who are overcoming obstacles in their lives, within society, and how it effects them. The dignity and fortitude of the people develop the future of America. Both of these poems also strive to create a better society. In general, both of the poems have a deeper meaning than what is actually stated. Positive messages are also brought forth.

Despite the fact that both poems are very similar, they also have a vast amount of differences. To start off, Walt Whitman’s poem is more formal and abstruse, and Langston Hughes' poem seems to be more straightforward, personal, and individual. Walt Whitman tends to focus more on strength as a whole, while Hughes' mainly talks about himself and how he interacts with society. "I Hear America Singing" also focuses mainly on the working force, but "I, Too Hear America Singing" focuses on segregation and slavery.

In conclusion, The two poems establish a backbone for the beginning of America's strength and determination, but in two very different ways. Walt Whitman's poem focuses on this subject as a whole society, and Langston on a more personal level, however they both intertwine to form the vision of society we now have