The Langston Hughes

The Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes' style of poetry renounced the classical style of poetry and sought out a more jazz and folk rhythm style. Most of Hughes' poems
were written during the Harlem Renaissance, named after the cultural activity African Americans participated in, such as: literature, music, art, theatre,
and political thinking. William Blake, on the other hand, was a nonconformist who was associated with the leading radical thinkers of his day.
Although, considered a lyric poet and a visionary, Blake's poetry was not read by many, yet he still believed that his poetry could be understood by
common people and was determined not to sacrifice his vision to become popular. In Hughes' poem, "Mother to son," a mother explains to her son
how her life was never easy. She tells her son that even though she has come across many hardships, she kept on pushing. The mother advises her
son to never turn back, no matter how hard the obstacle is to overcome because she hasn't given up in her old age. This poem is a free verse
written in the vernacular. "The Little Black Boy" by William Blake is about a black child telling the story of how he began to find himself and
know God. He explains how his skin is black and his soul is white as that of an English child. His mother introduces him to God who lives in the
East and gives light and life to all creation, and comfort and joy to men. The mother in this poem is a loving character who wants the best for her
child. The little black boy passes on
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Langston Hughes Essay
Langston Hughes was a large influence on the African–American population of America. Some of the ways he did this was how his poetry influenced
Martin Luther King Jr. and the Harlem Renaissance. These caused the civil rights movement that resulted in African–Americans getting the rights that
they deserved in the United States. Hughes was born in 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. His parents divorced when he was young and his grandmother raised
him. She got him into literature and education; she was one of the most important influences on him. He moved around a lot when he was young, due
to his parents divorce, but remained a good student and graduated high school. After this he traveled the world and worked in different places, all the
things he...show more content...
All of these things, subject matter, themes, style, literary devices, and influences play into the way that Hughes writes his poetry and they can all be
seen in the poem "Dream Variations". That is why the poem is typical of Hughes' writing.
The poem is very typical of Hughes' subject matter and themes. This is because he usually writes about racial subjects such as equality and the average
life of an African–American. Going so far as to say that most of his poems are racial in theme and treatment, derived from the life that he knows ("An
Introduction to Langston Hughes."). This poem does have the racial topic of equality for a couple of reasons. To begin with, the speaker talks about
how people should see the world and the other people in it. Key word, should, because he then goes onto say, "That is my dream!" (Hughes l. 9).
This is one reason why "Dream Variations" has a theme centered on how everyone wants to be treated equally. Because the speaker talks about how
he wishes he was treated by the world. Along with the theme of equality the poem's subject is the life of an average African–American. This is because
he speaks of how he wants to dance "Dance! Whirl! Whirl! Till the white day is done" (Hughes ll. 12–13). Yet he cannot because he has to work, and
he tries to make his work seem like dancing but he is still very tired at the end of the day. This shows the average life of an African–American because
they had to work very hard in the early

The Work of Langston Hughes Essay
The Work of Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes is considered by many readers to be the most significant black poet of the twentieth century. He is described as Ві...the beloved
author of poems steeped in the richness of African American culture, poems that exude HughesВ№s affection for black Americans across all divisions
of region, class, and gender.ВІ (Rampersad 3) His writing was both depressing and uplifting at times. His poetry, spanning five decades from 1926 to
1967, reflected the changing black experience in America, from the Harlem Renaissance to the turbulent sixties. At the beginning of his career, he was
surrounded by the Harlem Renaissance. New York City in the 1920В№s was a place of immense growth and richness in African–American...show more
content...
Jazz was a flourishing art form that Hughes often liked to write about. It is easy to see why most of his poems of this period (1921–1930) would be
festive and cheerful. Unfortunately, the party didnВ№t last into the next decade and the country fell into a deep depression. The period between 1931
and 1940 was a dark period for Hughes, and for African–Americans in general. On top of the financial difficulties the depression brought, widespread
racism re–surfaced in the North. The celebration in Harlem was replaced by angry whites who were anxious to put blame on someone for their
troubles. ВіWhite ManВІ is a direct attack on the white manВ№s violations against the African–Americans. Like the earlier poem ВіHarlem Night
Club,ВІ it is a fast–paced, dynamic piece. However, its tone reflects pure anger and frustration. ВіWhite Man! White Man! / Let Louis Armstrong play
itВ / And you copyright it / And make the money. / YouВ№re the smart guy, White Man! / You got everything!В
І Its intensity makes the reader frantic
just from reading it. The line about Louis Armstrong refers to the great jazz trumpet player, the first black man to be recognized as a successful jazz
artist by a white audience. Only now, ten years later, we see that it is the whites who profit from his talent. Hughes is desperate not to forget the
accomplishments of the 20В№s, and not to let those accomplishments

Essay On Langston Hughes
James Mercer Langston Hughes, also known as Langston Hughes, always had a female figure in his life. First his grandmother and then his mother.
His love for literature had developed in high school. After graduation, he visited his father in Mexico and travelled around for a while before slipping
a poem of his under a plate while serving a famous writer. His work soon become amongst African American and Americans. His work was mostly
about the discrimination against African Americans in America at that time period. He had inspired many others to become the voice of African
Americans through poetry and lectures. He was one of the first African American to earn his living "solely from his writing and public lectures". He is
also known for his involvement in Jazz and...show more content...
The speaker describes a dream he had a "long time ago" and how a wall rose between him and his dream. Hughes uses allusion because by a "long
time ago" probably means when he was a child with carefree dreams and wasn't aware of society tensions and expectations. It could also mean the
dream all those African Americans had after being freed of slavery. The "wall" means society or White people in general who oppressed African
Americans. The speaker calls himself "black" as he starts to blend into the darkness due to blockage of his dream, light. But at the end of second
stanza, the speaker breaks through the wall, the society, and reaches his dream. He also uses no rhyme literary device in this poem promoting the
freedom African Americans deserve to receive and achieve by reaching their goals. Hughes poems deviate from other poets from the same time period
is because he heavily advocates and inspires African Americans with his poems. He is always hopeful that someday in the future that African
Americans will be able to live peacefully with no

Langston Hughes' Salvation Essay example
Langston Hughes' Salvation
In most people's lives, there comes a point in time where their perception changes abruptly; a single moment in their life when they come to a sudden
realization. In Langston Hughes' 'Salvation', contrary to all expectations, a young Hughes is not saved by Jesus, but is saved from his own innocence.
'Salvation' is the story of a young boy who has an experience of revelation. While attending a church revival, he comes to the sudden realization that
Jesus will not physically come save him.
In the first three sentences of the essay, the speaker adopts a very childlike style. He makes use of simple words and keeps the sentences short, similar
in style to that of an early aged teenager. But since the text...show more content...
(182) praying at the church, or hear the sound of ?mighty wail of moans and voices? (182). And it is almost impossible not to feel the warmth
contained in the ?hot, crowded church? (181). In short, the technique used by Hughes is set to put the reader in the same ambiance the young boy is
in, thus giving us a closer look at his innocence.
The innocence shown by the young boy at the beginning of the story can be attributed to many factors, the main reason being his Auntie Reed. She
goes on talking for days about the big revival. Just like any other kid would, Hughes listens and believes word–for–word what his aunt tells him: ?She
said you could see and hear and feel Jesus in your soul.? (181) This naivete is characteristic of youths of that age group. After all, he ?heard a great
many old people say the same thing? (181) and it seemed to him ?they ought to know? (181). With all the hype and anticipation surrounding this
event, Hughes is certain something is bound to happen. His disappointment is manifested when he does not literally see Jesus. From what he has
been told, Hughes is expecting to see a human incarnation of Jesus. He is actually more than just expecting to see him; he badly wants to be saved!
Seeing Westley give up so carelessly, triggers an awkward feeling inside of Hughes. The thought that Jesus is not going to show up after all is starting
to grow. That leads him to eventually give up and join Westley in lying. It is only at night that he comes

Langston Hughes Research Paper
Langston Hughes
People always listen to music, watch movies or plays, and even read poetry without once even thinking what is could be that helps and artist eventually
create a masterpiece. Often times, it is assumed that artists just have a "gift", and people just do not consider the circumstances and situations that
gradually mold a dormant idea into a polished reality. This seems to be the case with nearly every famous actor, writer, painter, or musician; including
the ever–famous Langston Hughes.
In order for a person to really understand how Mr. Hughes's life shaped his poetry, one must know all about his background. In this paper, I will write a
short biography of Hughes's life and tell how this helped accent his...show more content...
Here, according to Hughes, he wrote his first verse and was named class poet of his eighth grade class. Hughes lived in Lincoln for only a year, and
then had to move to Toledo, Ohio because of a new job his stepfather found. Shortly after his move to Toledo, his stepfather and mother moved on, this
time to Chicago, but Hughes stayed in Cleveland in order to finish high school. In Ohio, his high school teachers and classmates recognized his writing
talent, and Hughes had his first pieces of verse published in the Central High Monthly, a sophisticated school magazine. Soon he was on the staff of the
Monthly, and publishing in the magazine regularly. An English teacher introduced him to poets such as Carl Sandburg and Walk Whitman, and these
became Hughes' earliest influences. the summer after Hughes's junior year in high school, his father reentered his life. James Hughes was living in
Toluca, Mexico, and wanted his son to join him there. Hughes lived in Mexico for the summer but he did not get along with his father. This conflict,
though painful, apparently contributed to Hughes's maturity. When Hughes returned to Cleveland to finish high school, his writing had also matured.
Consequently, during his senior year of high school, Langston Hughes began writing poetry of distinction.
After graduating from high school, Hughes planned to return to Mexico to visit with his father, in order to

Langston Hughes
In the poem "As I Grew Older", on lines 2–6 he writes, "I have almost forgotten my dream. / But it was there then, / In front of me, / Bright like a sun
– / My dream.". This exemplifies the theme of the American Dream because it proves to readers that Langston, too was an African American fighting
through the wall that society had built against people of his kind. For Hughes, this so called "wall" almost forced him to give up, or "forget" – but he
knew that his dream was bright, and so he continued to battle through. The culture during this time attempted to keep the minorities from discovering
their own dreams. Another event that shows this theme is when Hughes is describing his dark hands (representing his race) breaking through the thick
...show more content...
The main idea of what 1920's America and the Dream that came along with it, was that everyone was given the right to construct a higher quality of life
and the aspiration to obtain material things. From new job opportunities, better education for children, and other benefits, many people felt discouraged
at the lack of promises that were broken from America. While facing poverty and discrimination, Langston Hughes is a prime example of an African
American who was denied these rights before his eyes at such a young age in life. His experiences from childhood elementary years all the way to
the college level allowed him to construct a talent of writing that helped to portray this denial, and the hardships that it carried. He was a strong
believer in change, and this is also shown throughout his work. He continually encourages his readers, fans, and fellow writers to make a difference.
He knew there was going to be a way out of the darkness, and continually held onto his own American Dream. Langston became a voice and mind for
people of his kind as he helped to influence the Harlem Renaissance movement. He innovated the theme of the American Dream and change, which
can also be seen in his world renowned

"Mother to Son" Analysis Essay
"Mother to Son"
The speaker of the poem "Mother to Son," by Langston Hughes is a mother who is giving advice to her son. Her life has been difficult and hard at
times. As readers, we know this because the speaker talks about how life is a staircase and her staircase has had "tacks and splinters in it" (line 3–4).
This means that her life has not been perfect and she had many challenges to deal with. Perhaps she was born into poverty, because the images in her
poem reveal a ragged, old staircase, like you might find in a decrepit, old building. Further, the speaker's accent reveals that the speaker was not
well–educated when she was younger, such as when she says "I'se been a–climbin' on" (line 9) which is not proper English. Since...show more content...
The speaker's message to readers in "Mother to Son" is that life can be difficult, but you have to keep trying despite these difficulties. I believe this
message is directed towards people who are experiencing hardships and poverty, because the speaker is directing her conversation to her "son,"
who does not have a life that is like "crystal stairs" (line 2). The crystal stairs in the poem represents a wealthy and easy life, as wealthy people have
not probably had the same difficulties in life. Her message of not giving up is evident throughout the poem as she demands her son to not give up.
She says, "So boy, don't you turn back, don't you set down on the steps, cause you finds it's kinder hard" (lines 14–16). As readers, we know the
message for us is that you can't give up, even though you will face challenges–just like you have to keep going on a "staircase" even though the
staircase has many obstacles on it. She clearly believes that we need to be fighters in our lives, as life will often be difficult. More importantly, I
believe this message was also meant towards African Americans in the early 1900's (whenLangston Hughes was writing poetry), to remind them to
never give up on fighting for equal rights, even though it is

Langston Hughes
In the poem "As I grew older" by Langston Hughes explains his struggle with his skin color. He describes it living in the shadows and humongous
walls coming up all over him. Despite him feeling like he has no way to break free or to get away from the prejudice, Langston uses imagery to
explain how he used his bare hands to break the walls of prejudice. With the use of metaphors the author gives us and insight how it felt to have
prejudice everywhere he went and how he broke free. In Langston's poem the reader learns what prejudice he faced and how he broke free using
imagery and metaphor he explain profoundly. Langston uses imagery to explain many things Hughes gives and image in our minds to make sure we
comprehend and we feel the same emotion

I, Too by Langston Hughes Essay
I, Too by Langston Hughes A situation can be interpreted into several different meanings when observed through the world of poetry. A poet can
make a person think of several different meanings to a poem when he or she is reading it. Langston Hughes wrote a poem titled "I, Too." In this
poem he reveals the Negro heritage and the pride that he has in his heritage and in who he is. Also, Hughes uses very simple terms that allow
juvenile interpretations and reading. The poem begins "I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother." From those two lines alone, one can see that he
is proud of who he is and introducing himself to the reader. In the line "I, too, sing America" he is explaining that he is an American like everyone else
...show more content...
"I, Too" really exhibits the black man and his will to do well even under pressuring conditions to be some one that he is not. This pressure leads to
a whole new line of confidence and pride shown in the third stanza. Hughes did not make this poem very long and narrative, instead, he made it
quick and to the point. On line three he says, "They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes." In saying those words, he is saying that
the people are inferring that because he is of darker color he has been scolded and deprived of his freedom. The people have sent him to the
kitchen to eat because they felt that he was not of high enough standards to eat in the kitchen when the company comes. Also, this may mean that
the people are afraid of what the company might say when they see a black man in the house. The word formation is simplistic and does not contain
words that are hard to understand and read. All poems have different style and line lengths and as a part of this variety "I, Too" consists of lines that
are very short and to the point. He does not use much alliteration in the text and his words do not rhyme, but they relate in such ways to keep the
readers' attention.When moving toward the end of the poem, one can find out how Hughes tells in bold words how he views himself and reveals his
identity. In the final lines, he wrote, "Then, besides, they'll see how beautiful I

Essay on Harlem By Langston Hughes
Harlem By Langston Hughes
Throughout life, people are always deciding what to do with themselves. But along with what they want to do with their life, they always have that
certain dream that they hope to accomplish. Not to say that it is to be rich, cause that is probably a lot of people's dream, which is why we have the
lottery. But it is that certain dream that in the future the person will be happy that they finally set out their dream to come true. But not all get to live
out their dream. There are many who decide to defer their dreams and put it to a halt cause of their reasoning. But what happens to a dream that is
deferred? Deferring a dream that you feel passionate about is a bad idea in that you might not have a chance at...show more content...
Although it might not seem clear to some people, Langston Hughes is not in favor of deferring dreams, as he describes his feeling of the subject in his
poem.
People who decide to pursue their dreams know that they either have something good or bad coming. But it is usually good, because your dream
is something that most likely you have thought of doing. Whether it is good or bad, a dream is a dream. All it depends on is if you want to pursue
it. An example of someone who pursued a dream is?me. Going to college was a dream of mine which I pursued long and hard in my life, not only
because it is the right thing to do, but because I would be the first in my family to go to college and get an education. Although the odds were
against me, I tried hard and never gave up. Then I got to a point that I wanted to give up and I believed that I would never get to college, and that
no one would accept me. Although I had average grades, I was in a point that I though that everything would go downhill. It was a good that I had
some inspiration or else I wouldn?t be where I am now. I was raised never to give up and always try your best, because opportunities will come your
way. Believing in myself I knew I can accomplish my dream and go to college. Now if someone asks me if I go to college, I just show them my
Baruch identification card with pride. And I had my parents to help me throughout my years of growing up. I never deferred my dream, although I
was close to. But I never

Langston Hughes Essay
James Langston Hughes was born February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri. His parents divorced when he was very small, and his father (who found
American racism made his desires to be a lawyer impossible) left the family and emigrated to Mexico. Hughes' mother moved with her child to
Lawrence, Kansas, so she and he could live with his grandmother, Mary Langston.
Langston Hughes' mother moved to Topeka in 1907, leaving the five–year–old with his grandmother. Langston came from a family of
African–American activists. His mother's first husband had been killed at Harper's Ferry. Her second husband, Charles Langston (Langston Hughes'
grandfather), had taken part in political activism on behalf of a slave. Charles Langston's brother, John Mercer...show more content...
E. B. Dubois, editor of the The Crisis, the journal that published "The Negro Speaks of Rivers"; and Countee Cullen, a young Harlem poet.
In 1922 Hughes left Columbia University after having taken only a few classes. He moved to Harlem, part of upper Manhattan near the Columbia
campus, in November 1924. Harlem was becoming famous for its rich environment for the flowering arts. In 1925 Hughes won first prize in a
magazine contest with "Weary Blues," which gained him the attention of many of the writers we now think of as members of the Harlem
Renaissance. Hughes published his first book of poems, The Weary Blues, in 1926. The work, though early, is signature in many ways, including its
fusion of blues and jazz rhythms with people, especially the musicality of the ordinary daily speech of the African–American dialects.
In 1926 he enrolled at Lincoln University (in a town called Lincoln University, Pennsylvania), where he graduated in 1929, the same year he finished
his first novel. After attempting to come to terms with his father's materialism and leaving Harlem, feeling betrayed and misunderstood, Hughes went
first to Haiti and then, back in the United States as the Great Depression began to settle in, the travelled through the American south, reading his poetry
to people in churches and schools. Following in the footsteps of his grandmother's family, he took his life in his hands by appearing at the University
of North

The Langston Hughes

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