AFRO-AMERICAN SOLDIERS OF WORLD WAR TWO IN THE POETRY OF THE US WHITES (L. KIRSTIEN, W. GUTHRIE, W. BYNNER)
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Abstract
The US white poets’ response to the problem of racial segregation during World War II and aftermath is studied in the article. The object of studies comprises poems “Black Joe” by L. Kirstein, “Defeat” by W. Bynner and “The Blinding of Isaac Woodard” by W. Guthrie. The article dwells on the ambiguity of the state of the African-American men-at-arms during and after the war. On the example of the poem “Black Joe” the insolent attitude of the white troopers towards the blacks (treating them as collateral stuff during the combat) is shown. “Defeat” gives general disappointing estimation of the victory over Nazism. “The Blinding of Isaac Woodard” illustrates wrongful attitude towards their African-American compatriots, with whom they shared the Victory. The following conclusion is drawn: the real events upon which the poems are based find nationwide sense through the artistic writing.
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References
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