A Comparison of Two Poems by Black Poets<Tab/>

Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes are two of the most recognized African American poets of the Harlem Renaissance. Countee Cullen's "Yet Do I Marvel" and Langston Hughes' "I, Too" are comparable poems in that their similar themes are representational of the authors' personal tribulations of racial inequality. By comparing these two poems, we get a glimpse of the reality of the injustices of racism during the 1920's by two prominent Black poets. <Tab/&…showed first 75 words of 952 total…

…showed last 75 words of 952 total…right to be treated equal. Even with all of the contrasting aspects of these two poems, they do share a principle theme of racial inequality. Additionally, in these two poems Hughes and Cullen were addressing the mass society. They wanted to voice their concerns with racial discrimination. With Hughes' use of vivid imagery and Cullen's use of symbolism, they collectively utilized the art of poetry to effectively illustrate and express personal hardships of African Americans.