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Rhythmyme, word-choice, imagery, and figurative language paint a contemptuous yet

loving portrait of America in Claude McKay’s poem, “America.” While many contemporary

poets tend to shy from traditionalist manners of structure and rhyme scheme, McKay adopted

formalities from the 16th century and intertwined them with formalities recognized today.

Aiming to disclose his feelings toward the nation through metaphorical language, McKay

presents an account of cultural identity, stringing lines of poetic verse along for the ride. By

incorporating Shakespearean rhythm and rhyme schemes with personification, word-play and

figurative language ringing of the Harlem Renaissance, McKay’s “America” presents itself as a

biting example of tradition-meets-conception in the wide world of literary criticism.

In explicating a poem that embodies many aspects of literary components, perhaps it’s

best to begin at the foundation and work up. An interesting element within the poem is the

author’s organization of the words into sonnet form. A 14-line poem written in iambic

pentameter, “America” rolls across the tongue like lines of Shakespeare or Baudelaire. With

emphasis on every other syllable ( Al though she feeds me bread of bitt er ness...), the use of

iambic pentameter as a rhythmic device makes the sonnet credible and fluid. Delving into the

poem further, a reader may assess that the rhyme scheme is in the form a b a b c d c d e f e f g g.

Even more intriguing is the manner in which McKay divides the two sets of seven-lines, writing

an effectively discordant shift between the subjects that turns his otherwise Shakespearean

sonnet into one of “enclosed form” (Maxwell, 2003). The tone here shifts from incriminating to

appreciating, as the author changes the diction and emphasis used to describe the subject.

In further analysis of the poem, it proves deserving to assess the author’s use of figurative

language. Perhaps the most obtrusive device McKay uses is personification. Throughout the

poem, the subject stands as America. However, the author speaks of America metaphorically,
referring to the country as a matriarchal care giver, sometimes harsh, sometimes gentle.

“Although she feeds me bread of bitterness” and “Her vigor flows like tides into my blood” are

both images of a mother providing nourishment to a suckling babe, by hand or breast. The

author’s mixed emotions of his “mother” are evident in the contradicting lines, “Stealing my

breath of life, I will confess I love this cultured hell...” and “Giving me strength erect against her

hate...” By personifying the subject of his poem, McKay turns what would be a broad generality

into a very personal, relatable topic.

Word choice played a very key part in the poet’s construction of the poem “America.”

Rhyme was incorporated due to the author’s intentions for the poem to be considered a sonnet.

In addition, the author chose words to create alliteration and assonance, his point being to

emphasize particular lines, relay his “voice,” or make the rhythm flow. In the first seven lines of

the poem, McKay uses cacophony in his alliteration to emphasize the first two lines and establish

his tone. “She feeds my breads of bitterness” and “Sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth” are

examples of alliteration in which the author’s voice is biting, his tone incriminating. Later, in the

second seven lines of the sonnet, euphony in alliteration is used to signal a change in tone. “I

stand within her wall without a shred- Of terror...” is an example of alliteration in which McKay

seeks to communicate his grateful feelings toward his “mother” nation.

McKay’s use of imagery across the fourteen lines of poetry is derived from a wonderful

use of metaphors and similes. Providing multiple settings for the readers to envision America,

McKay uses imagery to activate the senses, making the traditional sonnet more palatable to 20th

century readers. The first metaphorical reference made which paints a vivid image in the
reader’s mind is in the line, “I love this cultured hell that tests my youth.” The metaphor

“cultured hell,” as used to describe America, incites multiple senses, including sight and touch.

In choosing the word “cultured” to describe this “hell,” the poet is also relaying his feelings,

once again, for the subject. America, in other words, is a highly-advanced hell, one that has been

“worked on” and perfected over the years. McKay sees this advanced, hellish place as a

challenge, therefore he expresses a love for it.

Another beautiful image used to describe the subject America comes in the line “Her

vigor flows like tides into my blood.” Here, the reader takes the simile and transposes it into an

image of ocean tides, crashing against the shore, forcing “vigor” on those that exist there. Use of

the word “vigor” here most likely means “energy” which is part of the exciting challenge the

“cultured hell” provides. Expanding the water reference, McKay goes on to say, “Her bigness

sweeps my being like a flood.” Here, America has graduated from flowing ocean tides to a

massive flood, reeking havoc on everything in its’ way. The image is an all-consuming one.

McKay seeks to relay that America consumes his “being” fully, as challenging and big as it is.

The final simile McKay establishes is one discussed a bit back. It is one of “her might and

granite wonders... like priceless treasures.” After describing America in such a discrepant way,

leaving the reader to wonder about his true feelings for it, McKay finally establishes his

appreciative tone in this final thought. “Although she feeds [him] bread of bitterness,” the author

realizes the worth that is in America, at the same time realizing its’ sad fate. There is much irony
in the fact that the author chose to use such biting, noisy words to describe such a gentle love.