Analysis of the tropics in new york by mckay

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"The Tropics" is a poem by Claude McKay, a Jamaican-American poet, published in 1922. The poem is a powerful exploration of the African American experience, identity, and the longing for a sense of belonging. Here's a breakdown of the poem's themes, imagery, and literary devices:

Themes:

  1. Longing for a sense of belonging: The speaker yearns for a connection to their African heritage and a sense of belonging in a society that has historically excluded them.
  2. Racial identity: The poem explores the tension between the speaker's African heritage and their American identity, highlighting the struggle to reconcile these two aspects of their being.
  3. Disillusionment: The speaker is disillusioned with the American Dream, which they see as unattainable for African Americans.

Imagery:

  1. Tropical imagery: The poem begins with vivid descriptions of the tropical landscape, which serves as a metaphor for the speaker's longing for a sense of belonging and connection to their African heritage.
  2. Urban landscape: The poem shifts to the urban landscape of New York City, highlighting the contrast between the vibrant, tropical world of the speaker's imagination and the harsh realities of urban life.
  3. Symbolic use of flowers: The speaker describes the "tropics" as a place where "flowers bloom" and "fruits ripen," symbolizing the beauty and abundance of African culture.

Literary devices:

  1. Symbolism: The "tropics" serve as a symbol for the speaker's longing for a sense of belonging and connection to their African heritage.
  2. Imagery: The poem's vivid descriptions of the tropical landscape and urban landscape create a powerful sense of atmosphere and mood.
  3. Allusion: The poem alludes to the idea of the "American Dream," which is often seen as unattainable for African Americans.
  4. Enjambment: McKay uses enjambment (the running on of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause) to create a sense of urgency and flow, mirroring the speaker's emotional state.

Analysis:

"The Tropics" is a powerful exploration of the African American experience, identity, and the longing for a sense of belonging. The poem's use of imagery, symbolism, and literary devices creates a rich and evocative portrait of the speaker's emotional state. The poem's themes of disillusionment and the struggle to reconcile African and American identities are timeless and continue to resonate with readers today.

Overall, "The Tropics" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, showcasing McKay's skillful use of language and form to explore the complexities of the human experience.