SUMMARY
The persona's lecturer gave him an
assignment to write a page that reflects 'him', or his character. The persona
wonders if this is a simple task, and begins to think about his life. Things
like his age, place of birth, race and place of residence. Based on these
musings, he surmises that he is confused due to his youth. He guesses that he
is what he feels, sees and hears, which is Harlem, New York. He continues his
musing about what he likes, and concludes that he likes the same things that
people of other races like. On this basis, he questions whether or not his page
will be influenced by race. He concludes that it will not be white. He admits
that his instructor, as well as the fact that this instructor is white, will
have some influence on his page. He states that they both influence each other,
that is what being American is about. He believes that both of them might not
want to influence each other, but it cannot be helped. He concludes that both
of them will learn from each other, despite the fact that the instructor has
the advantage of being older, white and 'more free'. All of these musings and
conclusions become his page for English B.
LITERARY DEVICES
1.RHETORICAL QUESTION
Stanza 2, line 6: The persona ponders the
ease of what he is asked to do. This question, in turn, actually highlights the
difficult nature of the task.
Stanza 3, line24: This question highlights
the persona's confusion as to who he is, or his character. He is unsure.
Stanza 4, line 32: The persona is wondering
whether his race will affect what he
writes on the page. This is despite the fact that he concludes that race does
not hinder people, in general, liking the same things.
2. REPETITION This repetition emphasizes
the profound impact that Harlem, New York, has had on the personality of the
persona.
IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES
3.'here to this college on the hill above
Harlem.'
The fact that the college is on a hill,
above Harlem, is very important. It highlights the fact that the college is a
superior entity. The people of Harlem look up at it, showing their inferiority.
4.'I am the only colored student in the
class.'
This line emphasizes the persona's
'otherness' in relation to every-one else in the class. He is different. The
isolation of the sentence (enclosed by full stops/periods) also emphasizes the
persona's 'otherness'.
5.'The steps from the hill lead down into
Harlem, through a park, then I cross St. Nicholas, Eighth Avenue, Seventh, and
I come to the Y, the Harlem Branch Y, where I take the elevator up to my
room'
This line highlights the fact that the
college is a great distance from his home. This distance is also metaphorical
because it is implied that the experiences that he has at the college are also
a great distance from the experiences that he has in Harlem. They are two
different worlds.
6.'But it will be a part of you,
instructor. You are white - yet a part of me, as I am a part of you. That's
American.'
This statement reveals the
fact that America is viewed as a melting pot by the persona. He believes that
different races and cultures influence each other, thereby forming the term
'American'.
7.As I learn from you, I guess you learn
from me - although you're older - and white - and somewhat more free.
This
statement, by the persona, repeats his belief that the American society is a
melting pot. It also, however, states that not every-one is equal within this
society.
* It is interesting to note that the
persona's 'page for English B' becomes a journey of self discovery that
actually does not end. He forms no conclusion as to who he is because his
personality is still 'in process'
MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is
reflective.
TONE
The tone of the poem is also reflective.
THEMES: Racism, places
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