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Analysis Of Countee Cullen's Yet Do I Marvel

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In analyzing Countee Cullen’s poem “Yet Do I Marvel,” it is evident that the focus of the poem is to try to comprehend the acts of God. Cullen’s diction is convoluted, as he uses terms that seem to oppose each other, causing confusion among his readers. This confusion, which is expressed through his tone, allows Cullen to portray his message in an effective manner. This sonnet from the Harlem Renaissance contains an array of paradoxical lines, which serve as the keys to the poem’s success. Being a black poet struggling to succeed in an era dominated by white writers, Cullen questions the innate goodness of God, which is emphasized through his use of conflicting terminology, and body imagery.
Cullen’s poem is an English sonnet consisting of

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