BeoWulf journal 3

In Beowulf lines 607-1158, I see a great similarity to Claude McKay's: If We Must Die. In Beowulf, Grendel was a constant problem. Men were dying almost every night and no one was strong enough to do anything about it. In, the online article, the riots were a constant problem. Because they were race riots, and it was happening in 1919, no one was doing anything to help the blacks, and the blacks weren't doing anything to help themselves. However, Beowulf came to help with his positive attitude and his belief in himself. Beowulf fought Grendel and the killings are now done with. No one believed that Beowulf would make it out alive, but he believed in himself and knew his own strength. None of them expected he would ever see his homeland or get back to his native place and the people who reared him (691-693).

Beowulf told the King and his people that he will die trying to Kill Grendel (632-638). In, If We Must Die, McKay is willing to go out with dignity if he has too. Just like Beowulf. McKay knows that if the riots continue he may end up dead. In that case, he feels like if I will end up dead anyway, why not die knowing he tried to help, and not cowardly.