Question

1. Writers like Zora Neale Hurston and Claude McKay often explored themes of

a. love and power
b. race and racism

2. Which of these best describes the meaning of Langston Hughes', "Dreams"?

a. Life is meaningless without dreams
b. All birds need at least two wings to fly.

Answer 1

Answer:1. A. race and racism

2.A. Life is meaningless without dreams

Explanation:

Answer 2

The correct answers are-:

1. (b) race and racism

• The themes of race and racism attracted writers like Zora Neale Hurston and Claude McKay to write. Zora was born in 1891 when racism prevailed in the USA. She wrote about the treatment and pain the black community would receive. Her outspoken nature also added humour to the stories and she believed that the stories of the blacks had to be added and celebrated in literature though her political views regarding the racial separation laws were questioned and disliked by many people.
• Claude McKay during the period of the Harlem Renaissance was the first African-American poet who initiated and paved the way for other black poets to discuss and highlight the racism faced by the community via their poems. His poems questioned as well as challenged the white people and he celebrated the Jamaican culture through his writings and poems. His poems highlight his experiences with racism.

2. (a) Life is meaningless without dreams

• The poems "Dreams" by Langston Hughes indicate that one should keep hold of their dreams or else life will be meaningless and the world will seem brutal. The poet is talking about the dreams concerning one's future and not the ones one sees at night. Dreams as to the things one yearns for or the goals one wants to achieve.
• The poet says that if we let our dreams die then one's life will be like a wingless bird that cannot fly that is meaningless. According to her, it is a way that gives one's life a certain meaning and purpose or else it is very difficult to live and to survive as one would not be joyful.

#SPJ3