# To Certain Intellectuals explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Langston Hughes.

## What happens

The speaker directly addresses intellectuals who have dismissed them due to their poverty, race, and perceived lack of education, asserting that such prejudice makes them no friend at all.

## Themes in this chapter

### Racial Identity and Oppression

The speaker's identity as 'Black' is central to the rejection they experience from intellectuals.

### Poverty and Class Struggle

The speaker's poverty and perceived ignorance are cited as reasons for exclusion by the intellectual class.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who declares themselves poor, Black, ignorant, and slow, rejected by intellectuals.

## Key lines

> You are no friend of mine / For I am poor, Black, / Ignorant and slow⁠— / Not your kind, / You yourself / Have told me so⁠— / No friend of mine.

You have made it clear that because I am poor, Black, and uneducated, I do not belong among you, so you are no friend to me.

_The speaker directly confronts the intellectual's prejudice and rejection._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_15_se/chapters/to-certain-intellectuals
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_15_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_15_se/chapters