Langston Hughes acknowledged harsh truths about social injustices but challenged readers to enact positive change. He recognized the American Dream was fading but believed people could renew it. Similarly, Jonathan Swift highlighted Ireland's problems to motivate solutions, and Nick Carraway accepted grim realities while maintaining hope through difficult truths. These figures sought understanding through honesty and progress through principled action, reflecting an "optimistic pessimism."

1. Colin K.S. Young
Honors English IV
Semester 1 | Wednesday, January 6, 2016

2. For Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967).
He told the truth; even when he, himself, did not like what he was saying.
Langston Hughes - (1902-1967). American writer.
Photographed in 1939 by Carl Van Vechten.

3. The truth is, the American dream is dying. Langston Hughes is not blind
to this truth and made it very clear that people can change that. He is
challenging the reader to do so. That’s who Langston Hughes is. He
acknowledges these horrible truths and then challenges the reader to do
something about it. Langston Hughes is not alone, of course. Many other
authors have used truth as either a theme or a purpose for some of their
works.
“Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.”
- Langston Hughes

4. Banquo:
● “Thou hast it now—king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, as the weird women
promised, and I fear thou played'st most foully for't. Yet it was
said It should not stand in thy posterity, but that myself should be
the root and father of many kings. If there come truth from them
(As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine) Why, by the
verities on thee made good, may they not be my oracles as well,
and set me up in hope? But hush, no more.” (3.1.1-10)
● “If you can look into the seeds of time and say which grain will
grow and which will not, speak, then, to me, who neither beg nor
fear your favors nor your hate.” (1.3.61-64)
Banquo is a prime example of someone who is quick to find the truth.
However, he does not do such a good job of handling the truth. He
suspects Macbeth of foul play, but does he tell anyone? No. In fact, he
tells himself to "hush"—maybe because he's a little too excited about
being the "root and father/ Of many kings." Banquo sook out the witches
to tell him the truth about Macbeth, of course not before he made it very
clear that he does not want any favors from them, and he is not afraid of
ticking them off. Although, considering how they feel about chestnuts,
maybe he should be a little more cautious.
Banquo's ghost appearing in front of Macbeth, scene taken from Macbeth by William
Shakespeare, 1854, by Theodore Chasseriau (1819-1856), oil on canvas, France, 19th
century.

5. Nick Carraway:
● “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year
by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter
– to-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther… And
one fine morning – So we beat on, boats against the current,
borne back ceaselessly into the past.” (9.152-153)
● “There was nothing I could say, except the one unutterable fact
that it wasn't true.” (9.142-43)
Nick is a great example of someone who deals with the truth (for the
most part) in the proper manner. The problem with chasing the future is
that you just end up chasing your own death. Nick makes a point of
emphasizing that. Nick is also very good at recognising when the best
option is to keep his mouth shut.
American actor Tobey Maguire, as Nick Carraway, in a publicity still
from the film 'The Great Gatsby,' based on the novel by F. Scott
Fitzgerald and directed by Baz Luhrmann, 2013.

6. “A Dream Deferred”
by Langston Hughes
“What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a
sore — And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over — like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?”
After reading this poem many readers are inclined to ask themselves
“What does happen to a dream deferred?”. That, of course, was the point
for writing this piece. It is apparent that Hughes does not know what will
happen to a dream deferred, however he does not appear to want to find
out. In posing a question about a truth, Hughes has asked the reader to
not give up on his/her dreams.
Martin Luther King, Jr. - (1929-1968). American cleric and civil rights
leader. Delivering his celebrated 'I Have a Dream' speech at the March on
Washington, 28 August 1963.

7. “A Modest Proposal”
by Jonathan Swift
● “I think it is agreed by all parties that this prodigious number of
children in arms, or on backs, or at the heels of their mothers,
and frequently of their fathers, is, in the present deplorable state
of the kingdom, a very great additional grievance.” (2)
● “It is a melancholy object to walk through this great town, or
travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads, and
cabin doors crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by
three, four, or six children, all in rags and all importuning every
passenger for an alms.” (1)
● “But I am not in the least pain upon that matter because it is very
well known that they are every day dying and rotting by cold and
famine, and filth and vermin, as fast as can be reasonably
expected.” (18)
Jonathan Swift is a prime example of a person attempting to open
everyone else’s eyes to the truth. One of his favorite topics was how
everyone in ireland was poor and miserable, except for the aristocratic
families. Swift acknowledges that overpopulation is "a great additional
grievance" in a nation that's already suffering, not the reason for
Ireland's problems. Swift also makes a point of mixing satiric jabs in with
real details that highlight wealthy citizens' lack of action, a very effective
tool for persuasion, if used properly.
Irish sketches: Breeding poultry to pay the rent'. Image taken from
Illustrated London News. Originally published/produced in London, April
21st, 1888. Illustrated London News. London, April 21st, 1888. P.P.7611
volume 92, 462 (left).

8. I am an optimistic pessimist.
I wonder if the world is deaf or just blind.
I hear the earth crying out, to no avail, for help.
I see the dreams of great dreamers being crushed, only to be
replaced by practicality.
I want to see the world prosper.
I am an optimistic pessimist.
High angle view of a glass half full with water
(SuperStock/Universal Images Group)

9. I pretend that I am a tech mogul.
I feel inspired to be inspirational.
I touch tomorrow, today.
I worry man is its own worst enemy.
I cry for the poor and oppressed.
I am an optimistic pessimist.
Futuristic planet Earth. Computer artwork of Earth in
the future, showing bright concentrations of city lights
at night. The distribution of urban areas is unfamiliar
and some cities have merged into massive
metropolises. (Mark Garlick/Science Photo
Library/Universal Images Group)

10. I understand change is scary.
I say that change is necessary.
I dream of a world at peace.
I try to end the world’s pain.
I hope that, as far as mankind has come, its accomplishments
are not in vain.
I am an optimistic pessimist.
Conceptual image of the Earth covered in a grid with a bomb fuse. (Mike
Agliolo/Photo Researchers/Universal Images Group)