I, Too By Langston Hughes

The poem “I, Too” by Langston Hughes is a poem that explores the topics of racial discrimination, bravery, and overcoming obstacles. Throughout the poem, the speaker is met with certain circumstances he wants to alter. This poem demonstrates that the character of the speaker is determined when he wants something, and he is more of an optimist when in negative situations. Primarily, the speaker has established his decision to make a change and when faced with hardship he doesn’t back down. For instance, “tomorrow I'll be at the table when company comes” were lines the speaker stated. These lines show the depth of his determination and bravery because he was aware that black people weren’t allowed to eat at the table like everyone else when the company came. However, he still made the active choice to sit at the table regardless of being told: “eat in the kitchen” since he no longer wanted to eat there, Instead, he wanted to eat where everyone else ate. Additionally, the poem was written in 1925 and during

To give you an idea, when the speaker is sent to the kitchen because he isn’t granted the option to eat with everyone else he says “I laugh, and eat well, and grow strong”. This quote exemplifies that even when the speaker is being racially discriminated against it won’t hinder him from moving forward, and he won’t let the negativity prevent him from seeing the positive sides of the situation. In addition to this, the speaker voiced “ Besides they’ll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed”. These lines illustrate that the speaker is looking at a more encouraging side of the discrimination he’s facing by expressing that they get to see his beauty when he decides to sit at the table, and those people will be ashamed of how they acted towards him. Instead of letting the negativity get to him and mentioning the possible consequences of his actions, he talks about the benefits of