- Bread of bitterness
- A purposeful reflection of biblical language related to sustenance and manna. In this context, it turns the concept of nourishment on its head—what America offers to Black citizens is survival intertwined with hardship, rather than true compassion.
- Tiger's tooth
- Raw, predatory violence. In this context, the tiger doesn't embody noble strength; instead, it's a creature that strikes without mercy. It stands for the systemic and physical brutality of American racism.
- Tides / flood
- Water imagery flows throughout the poem, symbolizing an overwhelming and irresistible force. America's energy is like a tide — it surges through him regardless of his intentions. While the flood has the potential to devastate, the speaker transforms it into a source of strength.
- Granite wonders
- America's monuments, institutions, and symbols of power are designed to appear timeless. Granite, one of the toughest materials on earth, gives these structures a sense of lasting strength. Yet, the poem quickly challenges that idea of permanence.
- Sand
- The opposite of granite — shifting, unstable, and consuming. Sand engulfs everything and leaves no evidence behind. This final image in the poem illustrates time's ability to erase even the greatest civilizations.
- The rebel fronting a king
- A political image showcasing an uneven confrontation. The rebel lacks a crown, an army, or any institutional authority — yet he stands tall and fearless. This is McKay's portrayal of the Black citizen's connection to American state power.