Claude McKay 1. What took place that persuaded McKay to write the poem that many believe sparked an interest in African Americans to fight for a change? 2. Proved two facts about McKay’s life. “America” 3. Explain the metaphor in the first two lines. 4. How does the oxymoron in line four demonstrate the reason McKay loves America still? 5. In your opinion, explain lines five and six in detail. 6. Why does the speaker refuse to return violence in lines nine-ten? 7. What treasures sink in the sand according to McKay? “If We Must Die” 8. According to McKay, what should African Americans not do in the face of race discrimination? 9. In what ways could a person gain their enemies’ respect? Both Poems 10. What topics are explored in both poems? 11. What does McKay reveal about these topics? What insight into life is provided?