1. CLAUDE MCKAY By: Shannon Kennedy

2. BIOGRAPHY  Born in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica on September 15 th, 1890  A poet, fiction writer, and print journalist  First published poet to use Jamaican dialect in his poetry  Studied scientific agriculture at Tuskegee Institute  Transferred to Kansas State College  Died May 22, 1948

3.  THEME: the message from this poem is that if you are going to lose then go down fighting.  TONE: Proud Prideful Inspiring  TECHNIQUE: Sonnet Rhyme Rhythm Simile IF WE MUST DIE

4.  THEME: this poem is about him being angry due to inequality between whites and blacks.  TONE: Bitter Angry Passionate  TECHNIQUE: Sonnet Rhyme Eye-Rhyme THE WHITE HOUSE

5.  THEME: this poem is about a young girl who is a prostitute. Yet, underneath her smiling face is a girl who is distant from her reality.  TONE: Mysterious Mischievous Sensual  TECHNIQUE: Sonnet Rhyme Imagery THE HARLEM DANCER

6. IMPORTANCE  Portrayed America through the eyes of a black immigrant  Voiced prejudice against blacks  His work indicates a change in black literature in the 1920s  Helped shape written and creative works of future generations