by Claude McKay Claude McKay was born in Jamaica and moved to the United States in 1912. He traveled extensively and lived in the Soviet Union, France, Spain, and Morocco. He wrote poetry, articles, and a memoir. He was a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance. If we must die, let it not be like hogs Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot, While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs, Making their mock at our accursèd lot. If we must die, O let us nobly die, So that our precious blood may not be shed In vain; then even the monsters we defy Shall be constrained to honor us though dead! O kinsmen! we must meet the common foe! Though far outnumbered let us show us brave, And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow! What though before us lies the open grave? Like men we'll face the murderous, cowardly pack, Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back! How does McKay characterize the man in "If We Must Die"? Tired of being mistreated by whites, the Black man is willing to fight back, even to the death. The Black man is vengeful against all white men who he sees as murderous monsters. McKay portrays the man as someone who is frightened of being attacked and killed. McKay describes the man as someone who wants to be considered honorable and noble.
by Claude McKay
Claude McKay was born in Jamaica and moved to the United States in 1912. He traveled extensively and lived in the Soviet Union, France, Spain, and Morocco. He wrote poetry, articles, and a memoir. He was a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance.
If we must die, let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursèd lot.
If we must die, O let us nobly die,
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!
O kinsmen! we must meet the common foe!
Though far outnumbered let us show us brave,
And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we'll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!
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Tired of being mistreated by whites, the Black man is willing to fight back, even to the death.
-
The Black man is vengeful against all white men who he sees as murderous monsters.
-
McKay portrays the man as someone who is frightened of being attacked and killed.
-
McKay describes the man as someone who wants to be considered honorable and noble.
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