No two things are exactly the same! This also applies to people, writing and poetry. The two poems “Incident” by Langston Hughes and “Theme for English B” by Countee Cullen; are two different but yet very similar poems. Indeed, not only are the themes of the poems different, but the structure and point of view in which the poems are written also differ; still overall containing very similar attributes! Between the two poems the themes are different but yet quite similar! “Incident” tells the story of a young African-American child who encounters racism firsthand on the streets of Baltimore. He says, “Once in old Baltimore, with my heart full and my head full of joy, I saw a Baltimorean continuing to look me straight in the eye. (1-4) ''Now I was eight years old and very short, and he wasn't any bigger, so I smiled, but he stuck his tongue out and called me a nigger'' (6-9) In very few lines Countee Cullen understands the concept that one does not have to be an adult to be criticized as an African American. This reveals that not everyone’s education is the same. Since "Baltimore" was just a child himself, someone had to teach him that it was not "acceptable" to be African American and that they should be treated differently. Obviously, the white child's insult or comment makes the speaker aware of the true extent of the differences between them. This then shows that racial equality now seems impossible due to the contempt of the white child and the feeling of exclusion of the black child. The youth and kindness between the Baltimorean and the speaker, presented with “joy,” was taken away and shattered by racism. Using this specific example, Cullen was able to take advantage of this euphemism...... middle of paper ...... statement that the speaker explains to the instructor "you're white, but you're part of me as I am part of me". of you, it's American'' (30-33). Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen both deliver a clear message: no matter your age or race, we are all equal, and while they were two different experiences, racism was at the heart of both. These themes show that they have a common subject. Cullen's poem contains a rhyme scheme of a, b, c, b; while Hughes chose to write in free verse. "Incident" and "Theme for English B" are both written in the first person, using pronouns such as "I". These poems have similar characteristics in their themes and structures, but they still carry their own unique details. Whether it's more than a difference in subject matter, or even just changing the way the poem is set up; you can find differences in the poems, no matter how similar they may seem.