Regarding McKay's "America," discuss the significance of the "granite wonders."

In McKay's poem, the "granite wonders" refer to America's
"might."  The speaker constructs a vision of America that represents strength.  This is
repeated at different points.  The "tiger's tooth," "her vigor," and "bigness" are all
images that help to convey the strength and power of America.  The "granite wonders" is
another image of this.  Yet, consistent with power in McKay's work, the speaker is
articulating a vision of power turning on itself.  The symbol of America is this poem is
one where strength and power are not used to bring others in, but rather to marginalize
and silence.  This is also consistent with McKay's position as a poet who speaks "the
dispossessed, the oppressed, the discriminated against."  The "granite wonders" of
skyscrapers, buildings, and monuments that represent strength and power are viewed with
skepticism at the end of the poem, where the poet suggests that these monuments are
built upon a firmament that is "sinking in the sand."  In this light, the poem fulfills
another idea of McKay's poetry in the speaker possessing sight in the land of the
blind.