If We Must Die By Claude McKay
Write a 1,000 word interpretive essay that critically reflects on the poem below
Poem: If We Must Die By Claude McKay
Link of Poem: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44694/if-we-must-die
You must name and discuss the theme or themes
that you see in the poem. Use specific references and quotations from
the text to illustrate, demonstrate, and prove your points.
Outside research is not required, but if used, must be cited correctly
A thesis statement that I have written, that you can continue with is:
We Must Die by Claude McKay covers a variety of themes, including overcoming hurdles, acknowledging mortality, and the fear of ignominious death. The poem refers to the underlying difficulties, the fear of death, the loss of apparent struggle and pride. In the poem, it states "While around us bark the mad and hungry dogs, Making their mock at our accursed lot."The speaker uses his speech to inspire his audience to be courageous in order to overcome these obstacles. The realization of morality is crucial to the words they employ, such as death and die.The fear of dying dishonorably is a major motif that runs throughout the poem. It says, "If we must die, O let us nobly die… shall be constrained to honor us through dead!" This signifies that because they have accepted their fate, they have chosen to die in an honorable manner.