I think the poem Yet Do I Marvel, by Countee Cullen had the best use of allusions due to the allusions themselves and the sophistication used. Langston Hughes made excellent allusions, referencing important parts of African-American history. However, I found his allusions were very surface level compared to those of Cullen. The allusions made in Yet Do I Marvel, were more profound in my opinion. The language was more descriptive, and it took more thought to understand the intent behind the allusions. With Hughes’s poem, it was easier to see that his allusions were referencing to parts of history. With Cullen’s poem, it was more difficult because of the intricating wording and allusions to Greek mythology.
Both poems were targeted at the African American community, but I enjoyed Cullen’s poem more because I found it targeted a slightly more general audience. It is arguable that Hughes wrote a poem about being proud of your ancestry (hence making it appeal to everyone) but I found that Cullen’s poem about suffering was more relatable. Everyone suffers. Pain is a part of humanity, and Cullen voices it very well and articulately. The use of allusions made it clearer that the poem’s mood was about pain. He referenced Greek gods that all had paradoxical fates that they were unable to overcome. Hughes used allusions that worked well with his theme, but overall weren’t as superficial as those of Cullen.
I equally enjoyed both poems as poetry always improves my mood. However, I must choose Yet Do I Marvel as the superior poem for it’s use of allusions (and writing style, imagery, etc.)
Feature picture courtesy of Deviant Art