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Historical Literary Lens On If We Must Die By Claude Mckay

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Historical Literary Lens on “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay
Claude McKay’s poem ‘If We Must Die’ portrays historical exploitation and oppression and the challenges the black community went through during the period of slavery. Through the poem, McKay calls for the unity of the black community to stand up against social injustices, and if they must die, they do so honorably as he quoted saying, "If we must die—oh, let us nobly die." The emphasis on the idea of an honorable death exemplifies how the black community was subjected to fatal exploitation during slavery, and the only way out was by fighting back, even if outnumbered and overpowered. By referring to the oppressors with words such as "monsters", "murderous" and "cowardly pack", McKay

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