preview

Claude Mckay Sonnet

Decent Essays

Sonnet Essay In the Sonnet “If We Must Die,” by Claude McKay, McKay gives a powerful message of pride and honor, writing how a group or person will die with great bravery to prove the point of dying with a cause. Throughout the sonnet constant remarks of death and courage are being used to give the feeling of fighting to the last breath. This brings out the liveliness of what is going on the sonnet, which is the message being shown. McKay uses literary devices such as diction, imagery and form to help engage the reader into understanding the author’s attitude. The author’s diction in the sonnet creates a strong and firm point that is being shown, as well as understood. Words such as “nobly”, “precious”, “constrained”, etc. all give a …show more content…

The writer’s diction also gives a certain point of view since the words “we” and “us” are constantly being used to also depict a certain side. Alongside with the author’s diction comes imagery, the words being used help paint a picture with the reader. Imagery is constantly running through the reader’s mind as the reader continues to read through.
The reader can paint a mental image of a certain group ready to fight to the death against an enemy. One part that stands out in the sonnet is “Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back”. This certain piece brings out the connection of what the author is presenting. The piece “Though far outnumbered, let us show us brave” enables the reader to picture a huge sense of courage. Another device that enables the reader to understand the author’s attitude is the form being used.
McKay writes this sonnet telling a very short but meaningful message. It brings out the emotions being shown to help connect the reader to the writer and understand what is going on. The form also allows the reader to picture themselves in the situation they are in. Each part of the sonnet all connect to one meaning which is bravery and

Get Access