If We Must Die by Claude Mckay
Published on Nov 18, 2015
English Poetry Project
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
If We Must Die by Claude Mckay
Tianna Nagin
Background
- Born in Sunny Ville, Clarendon Parish, Jamaica
- Jamaican-American Poet
- A part of UNIA
- Modernist
- If We Must Die
- Claude Mckay was born on September 15, 1889 in Sunnyville, Clarendon Parish, Jamaica and died on May 22, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois
- He was a Jamaican-American poet - who is best known for his novels and poems even though he did write short stories
- he studied poetry and philosophy with Walter Jekyll - he encouraged Mckay to produce poetry in his own dialect
-Claude Mckay was a modern poet whose works were based on culture and important events during this time
- UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement Association) was an organization formed for peace between all races an improvement of standard living for African Americans
- His most well known poem if we must die was written in 1919
- He was a Jamaican-American poet - who is best known for his novels and poems even though he did write short stories
- he studied poetry and philosophy with Walter Jekyll - he encouraged Mckay to produce poetry in his own dialect
-Claude Mckay was a modern poet whose works were based on culture and important events during this time
- UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement Association) was an organization formed for peace between all races an improvement of standard living for African Americans
- His most well known poem if we must die was written in 1919
Lines 1 - 2
If we must die—let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
Who is we? - African American in the early 1900s specifically 1919. In these first two stanzas Mckay uses an analogy to show the apparent weakness and powerlessness the african americans would have if they were to die like hogs. Hogs are a type of pig that are restrained in fenced areas and cannot get out. the speaker is trying to convince his people to die nobly and bravely which is the opposite of hogs.
Lines 3 - 4
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursed lot.
Mckay uses a metaphor in the next two stanzas.
With the animalistic imagery Mckay gives us, it is safe to say that the enemies are the predator and the african americans are the prey
He uses 'mad and hungry dogs' to show that their enemies are cruel and brutal. It also shows that their enemies are mocking them before attacking them which makes it more harsh. So the four stanzas we've gone over so far allows us to see that they are under attack.
With the animalistic imagery Mckay gives us, it is safe to say that the enemies are the predator and the african americans are the prey
He uses 'mad and hungry dogs' to show that their enemies are cruel and brutal. It also shows that their enemies are mocking them before attacking them which makes it more harsh. So the four stanzas we've gone over so far allows us to see that they are under attack.
Lines 5-6
If we must die—oh, let us nobly die,
So that our precious blood may not be shed
Mckay uses the phrase 'precious blood' which could be on purpose in reference to the bible how Jesus died a meaningful death just as they want to die nobly.
Lines 7-8
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!
Now instead of dogs, the speaker in calling their enemies monsters which is even worse and could be suggesting that they are less than human.
The speaker is saying that because they are going to 'defy' or rebel against their enemies they will be honored by them because they fought back nobly, even if they do end up dead.
The speaker is saying that because they are going to 'defy' or rebel against their enemies they will be honored by them because they fought back nobly, even if they do end up dead.
Lines 9-10
Oh, Kinsmen! We must meet the common foe;
Though far outnumbered, let us show us brave,
These stanzas are meant to excite the people. Now instead of the enemies being called called monsters, they are called 'the common foe' this is less harsh than a monster and gives the people the speaker is speaking to hope that they could possibly beat their enemies even though they are outnumbered
Lines 11-12
And for their thousand blows deal one deathblow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
The speaker is saying that it only takes one good shot to get the enemies attention and showing them that attacks are unethical. The speaker bring up death again knowing that everyone will die eventually so the speaker has come to realize either way they will die so might as well fight bravely.
Lines 13-14
Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!
The speaker is saying to be like men - brave and tough - instead of hogs like mentioned in the beginning of the poem. The speaker is saying they will face their cruel attackers even though they are at a disadvantage. This disadvantage is shown in line 14 with the metaphorical wall. that is used to suggest that even though the african americans are at a disadvantage that could lead to their death, they should still fight back. but the speaker is saying
Subject: Red Summer(1919)
Now, what event was Claude Mckay aiming at? Red Summer also known as Bloodshed of 1919. During the summer of 191 there were attacks on african americans by whites throughout the united states. In most cases the african americans didn't fight back because they were greatly outnumbered and afraid. Make more sense now?
Summary
- literary devices: Sonnet,metaphors, animalistic imagery
- tone: Radical, Confident
- theme: Honor, Death
The poem was written in a form of a Shakespearian sonnet - 14 lines and in iambic pentameter. there was lots of literary devices used with the dogs, monsters and hogs. The tone of this was confident and the theme was honor.
