IndexLife and Background of Claude McKay"Enslaved": A Poetic Expression of OppressionThe Context of the Harlem RenaissanceConclusionReferencesThe Harlem Renaissance, a seminal cultural and artistic movement of the early 20th century century, marked a significant moment in African American history. That era symbolized a newfound freedom from the shackles of slavery and the emergence of black voices in literature, music, and art. In this context, Claude McKay, an influential American literary figure, emerged as a prominent poet whose works echoed the struggles of black minorities in a racially discriminatory society. McKay's background as a black man profoundly influenced his literary endeavors, focusing on themes of oppression, discrimination, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. One of his most important works, “Enslaved,” exemplifies his profound expression of the African-American experience during the Harlem Renaissance. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Life and Background of Claude McKay Before delving into an analysis of “Enslaved,” it is essential to understand the life and background of Claude McKay. Born in Jamaica in 1889, McKay experienced firsthand the systemic racism and prejudice that plagued both his home country and the United States. McKay arrived in the United States in 1912, a time when racial discrimination was pervasive, despite the abolition of slavery in 1865. His experiences with racial injustice profoundly shaped his literary works and led him to become one of the key to the Harlem Renaissance. “Enslaved”: A Poetic Expression of OppressionIn “Enslaved,” Claude McKay eloquently captures the longstanding oppression faced by African Americans. The poem opens with a powerful lament: "Oh, when I think of my suffering race, for centuries despised, oppressed, enslaved and lynched, denied a human place in the great line of life of the Christian West." a poignant reminder of the hardships faced by black Americans throughout the centuries. The words “despised,” “oppressed,” “slave,” and “lynched” vividly evoke the pain and suffering inflicted on them by a society that considered itself superior based on race and religion. The poem continues to explore the injustices faced by black people. people, even in their ancestral homeland: "And in the Black Land dispossessed, robbed in the ancient country where he was born", Here McKay highlights the injustice of colonization, where European powers usurped the wealth and resources of African nations, leaving their inhabitants impoverished and disenfranchised. The "Black Land" symbolizes Africa, stripped of its riches and prosperity by colonial powers. Claude McKay's "Enslaved" is not simply a lament for the past; it is a fervent cry for justice and freedom. McKay's heart "sicks with hatred" for the injustices perpetrated against his race, and he longs for a world in which the oppressive system is dismantled: "Then from the dark depths of my soul I cry out to the avenging angel to consume the world of white man of wonders: let him be swallowed up in the vast womb of the earth or roll upward like sacrificial smoke to free my people from their yoke!" In these lines, McKay expresses his desire for the world of oppressors to be consummated and for justice to prevail. He imagines a world in which the white man's rule is eradicated, either by being "swallowed up into the vast womb of the earth" or ascending as "sacrificial smoke." These images reflect his desire to free his people from the yoke of oppression. The context of..