Ashley Singleton

Mrs. Parkinson

English 3

7 March 2016

 The Impact of Claude McKay

Through the reading of America by Claude McKay the reader engages in the differing thoughts that he presents. Claude talks about America from two different sets of eyes, showing the reader contrasting thoughts. One example is “her vigor flows like tides into my blood, / Giving me strength erect against her hate” (McKay 5-6). This example strikes the reader. Claude is saying that America feeds into him allowing him to grow and prosper, but he claims that he is getting this strength to be able to fight and protect himself against America. Another example is “I love this cultured hell that test my youth” (4). He is stating that he loves America but also refers to America as a cultured hell that constantly is testing him. I believe that Calude shows people today that you can’t be scared to have differing opinions, since we often are forced to conform to just one.