USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In the poem’s second stanza, the speaker notes that he is forced to “eat in the kitchen / when company comes.” This is an extended metaphor for segregation. It describes the way that white people treat black people and black contributions to American culture.

Detailed explanation-2: -In part a response to Walt Whitman, ‘I, Too’ sees Hughes asserting that he, and other black American voices like his, also ‘sing’ of America and are America, too, even though American society treats black people differently. You can read ‘I, Too’ here.

Detailed explanation-3: -What is the message of I, Too by Langston Hughes? The message of “I, Too” by Langston Hughes is that all people are equal and should have a place at the “table.” The final four lines also emphasize the theme that black is beautiful.

Detailed explanation-4: -How is the speaker affected when he is asked to eat in the kitchen? The speaker is embarrassed that he is asked to eat in the kitchen.

Detailed explanation-5: -In the short poem, Hughes proclaims that he, too, is an American, even though the dominant members of society are constantly pushing him aside and hiding him away because he is an African American. Even though Hughes feels ostracized because of his race, he still sings like an American.