In Langston Hughes' poem "Refugee in America," we can analyze both word choice and tone, each of which can be visually represented through specific imagery.
1. Word Choice
Example of Picture: A serene image of a dove flying freely in a blue sky.
Text Evidence Supporting Word Choice: The words "Freedom" and "Liberty" stand out in the poem, resonating with a sense of hope and aspiration. Hughes describes "Freedom" as "Sweet and wonderful," emphasizing the joyous and uplifting connotation of these words. The imagery of a dove represents peace and freedom, effectively capturing the essence of these powerful terms.
2. Tone
Example of Picture: A portrait of a person with an expression that conveys deep contemplation and emotions, perhaps with tears in their eyes, set against a backdrop of a bustling city.
Text Evidence Supporting Tone: The tone of the poem is both celebratory and sorrowful, especially in the line "That almost make me cry." This juxtaposition indicates a deep yearning for freedom and liberty, tinged with the pain of past struggles. The portrait evokes the internal conflict of feeling joy for the idea of freedom while simultaneously reflecting on the hardship that comes with being a refugee, encapsulating the complex emotional tone Hughes conveys in the poem.
These visual representations effectively capture the literary devices of word choice and tone as expressed in Hughes' poignant poem.
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