"If We Must Die"

      McKay’s poem “If We Must Die” contains such a sense of hope, courage, strength, and determination. This is most notably done through vivid language and powerful diction. Claude McKay incorporates strong pronouns that emphasize a sense of community.  “If we must die”, “Oh, Kinsmen!”, and “the common foe” highlight the bond he feels with those fighting the same adversity.  It also pushes the reader to align with the narrator. By using words such as “we” and “our”, readers are those that “must die”, and therefore, fight. A united front is the only way to achieve their common goal. If they cannot gain rights or freedom, they will at least have the glory of dying men.

     He also portrays those they face as “murderous, cowardly” and “mad and hungry dogs”. This sharp contrast allows readers to focus on the intensity of their battle. He describes them as “hunted” and “penned”. They are “pressed to the wall, dying”. This harsh language also emphasizes the horrors of their social situation. However when all seems lost, they push on. They fight.

    McKay sends a message of hope in a battle that seems bleak. By publishing literature such as this, he was able to empower those around him to help promote change by “fighting back!”

   The language and imagery in this poem was so powerful. I feel that it made the poems message that more poignant. Obviously, he is discussing Civil Rights, but this can be applied to so many problems in the world today. I think I enjoyed this poem, not only because of the message and writing style, but because it is a fantastic example of the power of words. This poem stirs up feelings of hope, empowerment, and duty through his incredible word choice and syntax.