The poem that struck me was Home Thoughts. After reading it I felt like this poem could have been written by anyone. African American, Chinese, or Caucasian. This poem is simply about the feelings of missing home. Everyone misses home no matter who you are. I liked how McKay talks about all the simple things that one may do. Going for a swim, picking fruit, bringing groceries home. We all do these things and sometimes when we do things it triggers memories of home or when we were young. But, what I liked about this poem is that it is about just being you and not about being prejudice or treated unfairly.
I think this poem was in McKay's selected poems just for that reason. To show that we are all people no matter the color of our skin and we all do the same things in life; whether they are simple or intricate. People feel sadness and happiness regardless of the color of their skin. People take pleasure in reminiscing regardless of the color of their skin. People are just people regardless of the color of their skin.
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8 comments:
I agree with you that anyone could relate to Home Thoughts because it doesn't discuss prejudices against any race or nationality. I didn't pick up on that right away because I'm used to reading about the racism that existed back then. Nice find!
You make an interesting point. I didn’t really look at this poem and see that it could be applied to other contexts. Now that I read your blog I see that everyone can relate to the feelings of missing home that McKay refers to. McKay highlights the simple things in life such as picking fruit and going for a swim that make everyday worthwhile. These are the things that McKay seems to be missing in New York.
After reading your post I went back and read the poem again. I could see how you could say that this poem could relate to anyone. I never thought of it that way, but it's true. It could be written for anyone, which is great.
Angie,
I really loved not only the point you made in this post, but also the way you addressed your readers. When I first read "Home Thoughts," I don't think I read as deeply into it as you ventured here, but now after I've read it again, I feel like I am on the same plain as McKay. The idea that home is always on one's mind, even as they go through the motions of the most mundane task -- like you said, walking home with the groceries -- is something that I feel like I do everyday. Therefore, just as you suggested, McKay's poem applies to multiple audiences, because I felt such a connection with it.
I think that is a good way of looking at "Home Thoughts" that anyone can relate to it. Everyone misses home one time or another. That is also another good point that no matter the color of your skin you do things similar in everyday life.
This too is one of if not my favorite poems that weve read by Claude. Amidst the city he yearns for the countryside and calmness of his home. The smells, fruits, colors, people, and memories of this all give him relaxation and comfort from the bustling city he was now living in. he misses his past just i like miss mine. I dont like waking up in the city everyday (albany) but know that is now part of what i do. I am lucky that i get to travel home everyweekend to smell the clean air, be around the people i grew up and am comfortable with. i still get to pick an apple off a tree as a i cruise through the orchards every time i am home. I dont want to imagine being away from home for too long it is what i am accustomed to and look to unwind at the end of each week.
I agree that this poem seems far more accessible to a general audience than the others. The thing I liked about this poem was that it's presented as a daydream rather than a retelling of McKay's memories. It really evokes McKay's yearning to return to the idealized place of his youth.
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