“If We Must Die” by Claude McKay

1. Explain how the poem presents an idea or attitude that you personally have observed in society. For example, you may illustrate that individuals face important decisions throughout their lives by showing the decisions that individuals, such as adolescents, must face. 2. Explain how one character is similar to you or how a situation is similar to one that you have experienced. For example, you may explain how your life has been similar to the life of the pool players in Gwendolyn Brooks’ poem "We Real Cool" or Langston Hughes’ “Mother to Son.” 3. Analyze one element of a poem, such as the theme, speaker’s attitude, symbolism, or irony. See the sample essays in the chapters concerning each element.