In Malcolm X's story there seems to be a lot of anger and regret about his past actions and gives a sort of feel that he would change the past if he could. He gives this feeling mainly at the end of his story but does use picturesque descriptions of the stupidity and pain that so many blacks went through to be recognised as equal. the main way he would convey the pain is using pain full descriptions like,"the comb felt like it was raking my skin off". This description on its own sounds painfull as is and is enough to really get the pain he went through. there is also the case of angry reminiscence in the last paragraph explaining how stupid he was and also how he continued to put himself through pain even after that day. this tone is effective in gaining sympathy and a sense of the horrors that people put themselves through due to the actions of racists.
Langston Hughes gives a more witty and clever tone. the kind of tone one would take on in an essay when they are trying to prove a point, except this is not an essay but slightly satirical, and anti racist poem. i say satirical because he is using the idea of racism and the idea that blacks are different to white and playing with that notion to use to sway white peoples opinions of the blacks. especially near the end when he directly states out to his instructor that he's talking to him, saying how alike they both were regardless of skin colour. this tone is playful and clever, and very calm. is gives a relaxing feel so that the person doesn't feel overly outraged and as if they are being attacked. this tone is best at making a calm before the storm kind of feel. and it really hits home for the racists how equal the two are.
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