"I, Too" by Langston Hughes — AP-Style Multiple Choice Questions

In the context of the poem, what is the speaker’s attitude toward those who send him "to eat in the kitchen"?

• Defiant but hopeful

• Submissive and resigned

• Angry and vengeful

• Indifferent and detached

The repetition of “I, too” in lines 1 and 17 emphasizes the speaker’s...

• sense of exclusion from society

• acceptance of his role in society

• belief in his rightful place within America

• growing frustration with American society

Which of the following best describes the shift in the poem?

• From anger to sorrow

• From hope to despair

• From exclusion to assertion of belonging

• From pride to regret

The lines “Tomorrow, / I’ll be at the table / When company comes” (8-10) primarily express...

• a longing to be accepted by family

• an expectation of violent confrontation

• a belief in future equality and inclusion

• a fear of societal rejection

The phrase “They’ll see how beautiful I am / And be ashamed—” (16-17) most clearly reflects which theme?

• The power of physical appearance

• The inevitability of social change and recognition of worth

• The futility of fighting prejudice

• The speaker’s focus on revenge

The speaker most likely “laughs” (line 5) because...

• he finds the situation amusing

• he is mocking those who exclude him

• he is masking his sorrow

• he is optimistic about his future strength

The "table" in line 9 most likely symbolizes...

• literal meals and dining customs

• family traditions and unity

• a metaphor for social equality and inclusion

• political negotiations

What is the effect of the simple and direct diction used throughout the poem?

• It makes the speaker sound angry and aggressive.

• It emphasizes the speaker’s calm confidence and dignity.

• It creates a detached and analytical tone.

• It highlights the speaker’s confusion and uncertainty.

Which best describes the tone of the final line, “I, too, am America”?

• Bitter and accusatory

• Proud and assertive

• Joyful and humorous

• Melancholic and longing

The poem’s structure, with short stanzas and lines, contributes to which of the following?

• A) A sense of fragmentation and disunity

• B) A conversational and accessible quality

• C) A complex and confusing narrative

• D) An intense and angry atmosphere