Introduction
Understanding the relationship between an ordinary citizen and their motherland is a traditional aspect of every national culture. The problem of “citizen and homeland” is reflected in the work of every significant author, including the poems of Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes. However, while Walt Whitman writes that all American citizens are equal and can freely express their feelings, Langston Hughes highlights the issue of black citizens who lack such opportunities.
Walt Whitman’s Poem
The works of both poets agree that a strong sense of patriotism is prevalent among all members of American society. Walt Whitman gives examples using the division into professional estates. He claims that everyone praises America in different ways by “the varied carols” (Whitman, 1991, line 1). The potential of analyzing the poet’s orientation towards interdependent patriotic attitudes is demonstrated through the prism of alternatives, such as altruism versus hedonism, and the contrast between individual and public interests.
Listing the citizens praising America by their professions, the author emphasizes that during the day, they work for the benefit of the state, thereby showing their devotion to it. And only at night, when the working day is over, the workers turn into similar “young fellows, robust, friendly” (Whitman, 1991, line 12). However, for most of their lives, their social role as workers, which creates differences between them and other members of society, is a boon that enables them to contribute to the good of America.
Langston Hughes’ Poem
The poem by Langston Hughes, like Walt Whitman’s work, also shows how different people love their homeland equally. He addresses the racial division of society. His lyrical hero is “the darker brother” (Hughes, 2004, line 2). He is lower on the social ladder than the company that eats at the table, as “they send him to eat in the kitchen” (Hughes, 2004, line 3). However, like a more educated social stratum, a person suffering from racial inequality claims that “I, too, sing America” (Hughes, 2004, line 1). Thus, Langston Hughes, like Walt Whitman, demonstrates the power of public patriotism, regardless of one’s social stratum.
Comparison
Although both poets reveal the idea of patriotism, they interpret the possibilities for its manifestation differently across different classes. Walt Whitman believes that all American citizens, regardless of gender, age, or occupation, equally feel a sense of belonging to their great country. His poem praises America as “the young wife at work” (Whitman, 1991, line 10), and the elderly mechanics or boatsmen. In this way, Whitman demonstrates that all citizens have the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings freely and to demonstrate patriotism.
However, Langston Hughes, in his poem, points to serious social problems. Because of his dark skin color, his hero is not given the “sing America” publicly, although he also wants to do it (Hughes, 2004, line 1). He remains on the margins of public life, which limits his opportunities to show patriotism. The lyrical hero also has the right to express his civic position, since “he too, is America” (Hughes, 2004, line 18). Thus, unlike Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes sees the social problems of America that prevent people from fully realizing their patriotism.
Conclusion
Therefore, American national culture has a history of emphasizing the connection between the average citizen and the motherland. Every notable author, including Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes, addresses the issue of “citizen and homeland” in their writing. In their poetry, Walt Whitman asserts that all Americans are free to express themselves without restriction, whereas Langston Hughes highlights the issue of black people who lack this freedom.
References
Hughes, L. (2004). I, too, sing America. Poetry Foundation.
Whitman, W. (1991). I hear America singing. Poetry Foundation.