In this activity, you will analyze the poem "America" by Claude McKay.

America
Although she feeds me bread of bitterness,
And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth,
Stealing my breath of life, I will confess
I love this cultured hell that tests my youth.
Her vigor flows like tides into my blood,
Giving me strength erect against her hate,
Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood.
Yet, as a rebel fronts a king in state,
I stand within her walls with not a shred
Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer.
Darkly I gaze into the days ahead,
And see her might and granite wonders there,
Beneath the touch of Time’s unerring hand,
Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand.

Part A
Fill in the table with definitions of words from the poem “America.” Add any other unfamiliar or difficult words from the poem along with their definitions.

Part B
What is the subject of the poem?

Part C
What is the theme developed from the subject? Cite evidence to support your response.

Part D
How does the title connect the subject and the theme in the poem?

Self-Evaluation
How did you do? Rate your work on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 as the highest score. Then write a brief evaluation of your work below. Note what you learned and what challenged you.