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James Weldon Johnson Sonnet Essay

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James Weldon Johnson Sonnet Essay
James Weldon Johnson was an American writer and a civil rights activist, during the Harlem Renaissance. Poetry served as a powerful way for African Americans to express their experiences, struggles, and aspirations during a period of racial discrimination. In James Weldon Johnson’s “Sonnet”, the poet encourages his heart to stay strong through his brave, encouraging, and guiding attitude, suggesting that despite the challenges of life, his heart needs to resist despair and reach for hope. The speaker’s direct appeal to his heart in the opening lines of the poem shows his resilience in the face of adversity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining courage. He begins his conversation by asking his heart to be courageous and to not lose hope,
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