America by Claude McKay 1921 Font Size Small Claude McKay (1889-1948) was a Jamaican American novelist and poet who played an important role in the Harlem Renaissance. In the following poem, a speaker discusses their feelings about America. Read the poem then answer the Guided Questions and Assessment Questions. The Assessment Questions will be graded as a QUIZ in Aeries. Although she feeds me bread of bitterness, And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth, Stealing my breath of life, I will confess I love this cultured hell that tests my youth. Her vigor flows like tides into my blood, Giving me strength erect against her hate, Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood. Yet, as a rebel fronts a king in state, I stand within her walls with not a shred Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer. Darkly I gaze into the days ahead, And see her might and granite wonders there, Beneath the touch of Time’s unerring hand, Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand. "America" by Claude McKay (1921) is in the public domain. Unless otherwise noted, this content is licensed under theCC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license Notes AllDefinitionsFootnotes Malice (noun) : the intention or desire to do evil or cause harm to others Jeer (noun) : a rude and mocking remark unfailing Read Aloud Annotate Translate Assessment Questions Show Less 1 2 3 4 5 PART A: Which of the following best describes the speaker's feelings about America? A. The speaker has experienced both good and bad things in America, and thus remains indifferent. B. The speaker despises America and has decided to speak out about their bad experiences. C. The speaker has a love-hate relationship with America, but ultimately has lost faith in the country. D. The speaker dislikes and has lost faith in America and believes that it will not last as it is. Save