help with the theme of this poem?

Question

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=173963

im not sure what the theme of this poem is, can someone help out?
thanks

Answer 1

It's kind of like having flashbacks of where he came from and what made him who he was. Memories left behind of what he will always love.

I imagine it he has some down time after or before work and he's gazing into a visual picture of where he came from, looking through the city window but seeing the environment of his past. After coming back into the present he realizes that it is just a memory and he weeps for it's sake.

Answer 2

In the beginning of the poem, he uses imagery and symbolism. "Set in the window, bringing memories, of fruit-trees laden by low-singing rills, and dewy dawns, and mystical blue skies", he vividly describes the surroundings that he makes it seem we were actually surrounded by fruit-trees under the bright blue skies. The next literary element he uses is symbolism, but he does not use it separately from the part where he uses imagery. He combines the two literary elements into one, as he creates vivid images in our minds.” Bananas ripe and green, and ginger-root, Cocoa in pods and alligator pears, and tangerines and mangoes and grape fruit", he use these images to symbolize his homeland that he misses so much. Another literary element he uses is tone and mood. He uses these elements to convey his feelings of sadness and longing for his homeland.

The theme that has been conveyed out of the poem is that the author is reminiscing on memories of his homeland, by fruits. The fruits and crops of his hometown are seen in New York such as, bananas, mangos, and other tropical fruits which he uses to symbolize the emotion that he feels toward his past in the Tropics where he apparently is from. He is sad to see such things and remembers the times he had in the past which brings him to near tears. New York, where he is now, is not considered a home. His home is where his heart is, where his mind is, where he had all those memorable moments which he so longs for now. This hurts him because he knows that this place is not his home and not where he wants to be.

Answer 3

The theme is: nostalgia

The Tropics in New York
by Claude McKay


Bananas ripe and green, and ginger-root,
Cocoa in pods and alligator pears,
And tangerines and mangoes and grape fruit,
Fit for the highest prize at parish fairs,


Set in the window, bringing memories
Of fruit-trees laden by low-singing rills,
And dewy dawns, and mystical blue skies
In benediction over nun-like hills.


My eyes grew dim, and I could no more gaze;
A wave of longing through my body swept,
And, hungry for the old, familiar ways,
I turned aside and bowed my head and wept.


- the fruits and vegetables he sees in New York city evokes nostalgic memories of good "old" tropical Jamaica - from where he came. This "wave of longing" overwhelms him with wistful thoughts and he becomes "hungry for the old, familiar ways" of life. He turns aside, bows his head and is overcome by strong feelings because the "mystical blue skies" may be gone for good. Only these mnemonic fruits remain reminding him of the beautiful tropical home in Jamaica.