The theme of oppression is examined when comparing the literary devices in the poem "As I Grew Older" by Langston Hughes and the story "The Loophole Of Retreat" by Harriet A. Jacobs. It is through the use of personification and symbolism that the theme is reflected. The oppression is in just use of authority or power. <Tab/>In the poem "As I Grew Older" by Langston Hughes describes about a black …showed first 75 words of 314 total…

…showed last 75 words of 314 total…shows us that he wanted to have more freedom and not to depend on anybody. <Tab/>In the poem "As I Grew Older" by Langston Hughes and the story "Loophole Of Retreat" by Harriet A. Jacobs use the same theme and the both have oppression. The authors both deal with oppression by breaking through it. Also the both poem and the story have the same ideas and feelings about their problems.