2. THE POEM
Democracy will not come
Today, this year
Nor ever
Through compromise and fear.
I have as much right
As the other fellow has
To stand
On my two feet
And own the land.
I tire so of hearing people say,
Let things take their course.
Tomorrow is another day.
I do not need my freedom when I'm dead.
I cannot live on tomorrow's bread.
Freedom
Is a strong seed
Planted
In a great need.
I live here, too.
I want freedom
Just as you.

3. JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES (February 1, 1902 – May 22, 1967

4.  Born in Joplin, Missouri
 His great-great-grandparent’s brother was the first
Black American to be elected to public office.
 He is the member of abolitionist family, where he
fight for his skin colour.
 Langston Hughes died of cancer on May 22, 1967.
 His father wants him to become a lawyer but he
refused.
 He had works many part time job before
discovered by poet Vachet Lindsay.
 His most famous poem is ‘The Negro Speaks of
Rivers.

5. • The first stanza – This stanza shows the poet true feelings. He
tired of being compromise all the time yearning for
democracy to come. He assumes maybe his people need
to change their strategy to be heard by the authority.
• The second stanza – He shows and asks for his right as
American citizen to be the same as the white people. He
also wants to walk around his own land without feeling no
fear.

6. • The third stanza – This stanza shows his character which is
so eager to fight for his right and he does not want to
wait and tired of hearing ‘Let things take their course,
Tomorrow is another day’.
• The fourth stanza –‘planted by great need’ means that
everyone want freedom in their life and everyone
deserve it.
• The fifth stanza – Emphasizes what the poet want as a
American citizen by saying it again

7. • Democracy
He asks for his right and freedom as an American
regardless his colour. He wants equal treat in his
own country.
• Racial
How the black is isolated by the dominant white
people. The society assumes black as the
second class people.

8.  Serious
- Since democracy is a serious topic to
discuss, he uses serious tone to deliver it
in his poem. He seriously emphasizes his
point of wanting a democracy and
wants the reader to get the message
sharply and clearly.

9.  First stanza- ABBB
 Second stanza- ABCDC
 Third stanza- ABACC
 Fourth stanza- ABBB
 Fifth stanza- ABA
- Hence, the poem is free verse where the
rhymes are not consistent.

10. LITERARY DEVICES
 Rhyming couplets:
Today, this year
Nor Ever
Through comprise and fear
To stand
On my two feet
And own the land
 Metaphor:
- I cannot live on tomorrow’s bread
he means he cannot live on unsure, tomorrow
promises
- Freedom is a strong seed
The poet compare freedom with a seed

11. THANK YOU