Influence Of Identity In Poetry

Identity is perceived differently in “Theme for English B” by Langston Hughes, “Won’t you celebrate with me” by Lucille Clifton, and “Identity”by Noboa Polanco; yet all different interpretations of the announced word agree that one’s identity defines an individual. Through these multiple poems, different aspects of identity are explored through various literary devices to further reveal its true definition. While in one poem, race does not contribute to one’s identity, in another, it is argued that your race defines you as an individual, while the third poem argues that individuality and uniqueness is best. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, identity is defined as “the distinguishing character or personality of an individual”, and all three poets can agree upon

The following poem discusses the dilemma of a colored student, who shares his understanding of identity throughout the poem. Failure to truly comprehend the “simple” assignment of writing a “page (come) out of you” (4) results in the persona’s internal struggle to translate his identity into words. The poet hints at a sense of isolation and abnormality, through the use of imagery in “the only colored student in my class” (Hughes, line 10). The line depicts the racial ethnicity of the persona, and the heightens the sense of individuality. The appeal to one’s sight in the use of imagery provokes an image of the clear contrast of being one against all. The uniqueness of being colored among a mass of white builds tension, and the reader can easily mistake the persona’s race for his identity, despite it being otherwise. Furthermore, the author makes numerous allusions referring to specific settings. Yet, when the author alluded to “American” (33), he successfully delivered a broader theme. Since is the only person of “colour”, he provides diversity-- what America was and still is based upon.