Sunday, November 4, 2007
Cullen Poems
As I read Countee Cullen’s “Heritage” it reminded me of Claude McKay’s poems. Stylistically I think they are similar in that they both are traditional writers, but the content of their poetry is also on a similar level. McKay and Cullen’s “Heritage” embrace their African roots and answer the question, “What is Africa to me?” (Cullen 24). However I think that the imagery of Cullen’s “Heritage” matches McKay’s “The Tropics of New York” in more ways. Cullen, although his writing is difficult to decipher, it is easy to see how his imagery links to Africa. He uses words like “jungle star,” “strong bronzed men,” “wild barbaric birds,” “jungle herds,” “great drums,” and “jungle boys and girls in love.” Similarly, McKay describes the fruit, colors, and landscape of Jamaica in great detail just like Cullen.
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2 comments:
I didn't notice the similarities between Cullen and Mckay until now. I think you address an interesting point about Africa and African American hertiage and how these different authors protray something very similar. They both use similar language. For example they both reference nature whether it is the fruit or the surroundings, like the jungle.
I agree that Cullen’s poem, Heritage is similar to some of McKay’s writing, especially “The Tropics of New York”. Even though, Jamaica was the inspiration in McKay’s writing and Africa was Cullen’s, as a reader you can still feel a sense of devotion and loyalty expressed to both places. Cullen and McKay both describe these countries as deeply rooted in tradition and heritage as compared to many of their other poems that focus on the racism and oppression of the United States. I definitely see the similarities in the writing of both of these poets.
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