Respond to McKay’s vision of urban life as he depicts it in Harlem and in New York more generally.

Claude McKay’s poems Harlem Shadows and On Broadway in particular portray different aspects of life in New York City, and the writer’s own vision of urban life. The first poem, Harlem Shadows, is specifically about the neighborhood of Harlem as depicted at nighttime, where prostitutes can be seen. McKay writes rather bleakly about a “stern harsh world, that in the wretched way / Of poverty, dishonor and disgrace / Has pushed the timid little feet of clay”. The vision here is of an impoverished and one of the most desperate circumstances, that some of his own race in this neighborhood, are forced to live in. On Broadway paints a prettier picture of urban life in this city, using vivid visual terms to describe city lights and scenery, and the happy, lively crowd of city-goers. This poem does of course have a sad subtext – in spite of all the electricity and activity of New York City, the speaker’s ultimate and ever-present thought is that in the midst of city life, his heart is lonely.