MCQ Practice: Langston Hughes Poems

What does the shift from present (“They send me”) to future (“Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table”) primarily reveal about the speaker in the poem "I, Too?"

• He is resigned to his current position and expects nothing to change.

• He is hopeful that he will one day be included and recognized as an equal.

• He is unsure whether he will ever be accepted in society.

• He feels bitter and intends to isolate himself further.

The phrase “eat well, and grow strong” in the poem "I, Too" most likely symbolizes:

• The speaker’s literal ability to nourish himself despite being excluded.

• The speaker’s physical transformation into a more powerful person.

• The speaker’s growing strength, resilience, and readiness for equality.

• The speaker’s revenge plan against those who exclude him.

In the poem, what does “the kitchen” symbolize in the poem "I, Too?"

• A place where the speaker prefers to eat.

• A metaphor for racial and social exclusion.

• A symbol of domestic servitude and tradition.

• A setting unrelated to the speaker’s identity.

What does “the table” most likely represent in the poem "I, Too?"

• A. A place where meals are shared.

• B. A symbol of family and tradition.

• C. A metaphor for political and social equality.

• D. A reference to a literal dinner event.

What is the effect of the word “Tomorrow” at the start of the second stanza of the poem "I, Too?"

• It creates a contrast between the speaker’s past and his present.

• It introduces a hopeful tone, showing the speaker’s belief in change.

• It emphasizes that the speaker is uncertain about the future.

• It shifts the poem into a nostalgic reflection on the past.

The line “They’ll see how beautiful I am / And be ashamed—” in the poem "I, Too" suggests that:

• The speaker believes in his own beauty and worth despite exclusion.

• The speaker intends to change his physical appearance to be accepted.

• The speaker believes others will always look down on him.

• The speaker wants others to feel guilty about his suffering.

Which of the following thesis statements is the most defensible interpretation of the poem, "I, Too?"

• Langston Hughes uses imagery, metaphor, and structure to express the speaker’s journey from exclusion to empowerment.

• I, Too is a poem about a person who wants to be invited to a dinner table but is forced to eat in another room.

• The poem critiques the act of eating alone and emphasizes the importance of social gatherings.

• Hughes primarily uses personification to describe the speaker’s relationship with food.

How does the image of “the darker brother” function in the poem "I, Too?"

• It highlights the speaker’s isolation within his own family.

• It symbolizes the racial segregation and exclusion faced by Black Americans.

• It portrays the speaker as an only child.

• It suggests that the speaker is ashamed of his racial identity.

How does the structure in "I, Too" contribute to its meaning?

• The short lines create a rushed and anxious tone.

• The shift from present to future emphasizes hope and resilience.

• The lack of punctuation creates a chaotic, uncertain mood.

• The poem’s structure shows that the speaker remains stagnant.

The phrase “I, too, sing America” at the beginning and end of the poem "I, Too" primarily serves to:

• Show that the speaker’s identity is separate from American culture.

• Assert the speaker’s rightful place in American society despite exclusion.

• Emphasize that the speaker has no hope of being included.

• Suggest that the speaker is trying to leave America.