An Account of Racial Inequality in Langston Hughes' Freedom Train "Freedom Train" by Langston Hughes is a powerful and eye-opening account of racial inequality in the early Twentieth century. Hughes poem is filled with a sense of irony but also hope towards the future. This tongue-in-cheek look at the so-called "Freedom" Train is a powerful image. Langston Hughes included important ideas in a simple and original way. Hughes was writing at the height of the Harlem Renaissance and his focus remained on issues faced by African Americans, but he did not dwell on the injustices. "Freedom Train" and other writings of Langston Hughes had a very hopeful tone. The poem, written in 1947, was produced in a time surrounded by war, patriotism, …show more content…
He writes in a very sarcastic manner when speaking of the Freedom Train. For him and other blacks, this train representing freedom is reserved for the white citizens only. Hughes talks of the south and the racist attitudes. All he sees is a Jim Crow car set aside for him. The Jim Crow stereotype follows him wherever he goes and is his only way of looking at the Freedom Train. He is hopeful, though, that the Freedom Train will not have these humiliating restrictions, after all, it is a train of freedom. Continuing in the same tongue-in-cheek way, he is searching for this train, because he is ready to be apart of this "real" freedom, but questions continue to arise. He wants to know if blacks can be apart of this train, aside from being a porter. Can a black man take charge and even drive this train? He is suggesting that black men are capable of the same responsibilities of white men and is hinting at the fact that a black man could be capable of being a leader of this Freedom Train and in America if given the chance. He asks about ballot boxes and the freedom to board this train, no matter what race and where in the country one may try to board. Would it matter in Mississippi that this was a train for freedom or would the color of his skin be the deciding factor? Hughes addresses the irony of segregated lines going on this train that represents American freedom. Hughes does not know how to explain to his children the inequality they face everyday and in truth, he does not understand either. He writes, "But maybe they explains it on the Freedom Train." The irony of this Freedom Train is confusing to Hughes, he wonders if they will they refuse his elderly grandmother access on the Freedom Train? Is she not a person? Hughes again echoes society's view of black people when he mentions his cousin Jimmy who had died at Anzio. Anzio was the sight of
Langston Hughes wrote during a very critical time in American History, the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes wrote many poems, but most of his most captivating works centered around women and power that they hold. They also targeted light and darkness and strength. The Negro Speaks of Rivers and Mother to Son, both explain the importance of the woman, light and darkness and strength in the African-American community. They both go about it in different ways.
Because of that, his writing seems to manifest a greater meaning. He is part of the African-American race that is expressed in his writing. He writes about how he is currently oppressed, but this does not diminish his hope and will to become the equal man. Because he speaks from the point of view of an oppressed African-American, the poem’s struggles and future changes seem to be of greater importance than they ordinarily would. The point of view of being the oppressed African American is clearly evident in Langston Hughes’s writing.
Nowadays, most people think of a hero as a mentally/physically strong person with superpowers and the ability to save people. Odysseus from the book, Odyssey, represents a hero through his intelligence, slightly foolishness, and bravery. During Odysseus’ journey back home to Ithica, him and his shipmates encountered many difficulties along the way resulting in Odysseus getting back home with a few cuts and bruises. Odysseus managed to get himself through dozens of obstacles, and in his often success, he showed intelligence, foolishness and bravery.
Odysseus has proven himself in accomplishing this task through multiple encounters with different protagonists like poseidon and other mythical beasts. These encounters makes odysseus crave the Ingress of Ithaca and make him more bitter about being conscripted into the battle of troy. “But come, all of us here put heads together now, work out his journey home so Odysseus can return.” (). This quote is a good example from a third person source stating that odysseus is clearly in trouble and he needs all the help he can get to escape the situation. From Odysseus’ perspective, he is also having a very difficult time dealing with this situation. “Rag of man that I am, is this the end of me? I fear the goddess told it all too well, predicting great adversity at sea and far from home.” (Homer book 5. 309-312) This quote not only shows how confident Odysseus is about his travels but how vulnerable he is and how easily everything he’s been working toward could be disrupted on ended at any time. Odysseus is a very confident, strong, and clever person. In fact, Odysseus’ cleverness is a big part of why he was able to survive the hero’s journey. “My name is Nohbdy: mother father and friends, everyone calls me Nohbdy.” (Homer Book Nine. 394 – 399). This famous scene from the Odyssey is part of the pattern building on the level of brilliance
The movie Gladiator starts off by Maximus Decimus Meridas, who is played by Russel Crowe, being a respected general of Rome. Maximus leads the Roman army in a successful defeat against the barbarians. After this battle is over Maximus is confronted by the elderly Roman emperor and he tells him that he will be the next emperor of Rome when he passes away. The emperor’s son (Commodus) hears of this and murders his father. Now he is Emperor Commodus and orders to kill Maximus and his family. His family is murdered but Maximus ge...
One of the advantages of how he wrote his poetry is that it can take hold of people by exemplifying his accounts of the everyday life that the disenfranchised experience. Hughes took on the injustices that other dared no to speak of. He wrote about how the African-American people of the 1920’s suffered the plight of racial inequality. In many cases I believe that Hughes used his writing as an instrument of change. In “Come to the Waldorf-Astoria” (506) Hughes tackles the drastic disparity between wealthy whites and the African Americans of the 1930’s. This piece displays an unconventional style for a poem; using satire to capture the reader’s attention. By using this satiric form of poetry Hughes is able to play on the emotions of the white reader, while at the same time inspiring the black readers. Hughes is constantly comparing the luxuries of the Waldorf-Astoria to the hardships that the African American people were experiencing. “It's cold as he...
The four poems by Langston Hughes, “Negro,” “Harlem,” “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” and “Theme for English B” are all powerful poems and moving poems! Taken all together they speak to the very founding of relations of whites and blacks all the way down through history. The speaker in the poem the, “Negro” and also, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” tells the tale of freedom and enslavement that his people have endured, and it heralds their wisdom and strength. The poems “Harlem” and “Theme for English B” speaks to the continuous unfair treatment that the blacks have received at the hands of white people throughout the years.
George F. Kennan, an American political scientist and historian, once said, “Heroism is endurance for one moment more” (BrainyQuote). That means that perseverance even in the darkest hour is what qualifies someone as a true hero. With that in mind, it is difficult to refute the fact that Odysseus is a hero by both modern standards and a hero in Greek mythology. This Greek war leader, who spent 20 years away from home taking on challenge after challenge, surely pressed on through every moment in which his heroism was tested. Everything he did was for his men, the soldiers that at times questioned his leadership, only to find out that he was correct all along. While he had moments in which his pride overshadowed him, that was simply his confidence showing through, one of the very virtues that kept him alive. If he had not been a confident leader, perhaps his crew would have had trouble following his brilliant schemes. Odysseus was a clever man who always knew how to get out of a sticky situation. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus repeatedly proves his worth as a hero by evading trouble with his cleverness, persevering through the trials he faces, and overall acting as a loyal shepherd to his flock of men.
Within the works of Langston Hughes the theme of prejudiceness is portrayed in many pieces (Ed 2). Growing up as an African American boy there were situations where people prejudged him just because of his skin tone, of course the situations were hurtful, but it later on helped build a powerful story or poem (Ed 2). For this reason, Langston Hughes often narrowed in on the African American working class (Williams 2). Coupled with the African American working class, an individual 's race created a separation between people (Sundquist 2). The separation of individuals for no other reason but their skin tone infuriated Hughes and he took it to pen and paper to express the differences and opposing treatment of civilians (Sundquist 2). When it came to Langston Hughes the achievement of being the best was not his goal, rather it was to get his words across and let people relate or realize what he is telling. Along with the process of seeking awareness, Hughes worked with the categories “racial insights and national attitudes” (Emanuel 119). In addition to the way African Americans were treated, the chances of working and education were also unequal. The opening for a job tended to be much easier for a white citizen to get when being compared to someone with darker skin (MacNicholas 318). White citizens also believed they were superior and that African Americans were outsiders, therefore African Americans education wasn’t taken as seriously or wasn’t available to them (MacNicholas 318). Keeping the focus of racial prejudiceness in mind, Langston Hughes’ works pinpointed mainly cities and when being interviewed about what his goal in his writings is “Hughes replied “I explain and illuminate the Negro working condition in America. This applies to 90 percent of my work” (Emanuel 68-69). Langston Hughes, being an African
Children want to learn about the world around them. The current education system often takes a the natural curiosity that children have, and crushes it. Education is meant to be valuable. Unschooling is a way for kids to learn organically, so they do not have to the weight of class ruining their love of knowledge. Unschooling can happen in any environment, whether it be in the country, in the city, or even a museum. Unschooling is a better solution to education than the current common core. This method can prove to be slower for some students, however they still learn on their own merit. Unschooling is slowly gaining acceptance among homeschooling. Ten percent of 1.8 million homeschooled children are unschooled (Wilson). Unschooling is a better alternative to standard teaching, because standard teaching methods stifles creativity and eagerness to gain knowledge. In Massachusetts students 12 hours or more in class, as directed by state law ( Hewitt). The amount of time spent in class stifles a student’s want to learn on their own. Students are forced to sit through hours of education that may not have any meaning in the future. Unschooling allows students to get away from the harsh education system. Once students begin to hate learning they no longer wish to, unschooling a alternative that allows students to learn
Through the use of personification, Langston Hughes shows that learning is important is this story, the professor just teaches but langston is also teaching the professor that different races are equally important and that we are all the same. People in this time period were rude to black people back then then and they treated them like they were different, but Langston is trying to teach his professor that everyone is the same and know one deserves to be treated badly just from the color of their skin.”You are white--yet a part of me,as I am part of you. That's American”.This quote is langston saying that we are all the same and we are all american and nothing else is different. As a conclusion hughes was making a good point in the fact of
Ridley Scott’s film, “Gladiator,” portrays the sudden fall and heroic rise again, of a great Roman General named Maximus Decimus Meridius. Maximus’ monumental rise, and eventual vengeance, show the viewer, the greatness of this heroic character. A liberal humanistic critique, reveals that the film, has a self contained purpose or meaning, promotes the enhancement of life, and shows that human nature is basically unchanging.
“I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character” (Martin Luther King Jr., “I had a dream speech”). Racism, a strong weapon used against equality. Langston Hughes portrayed his view of societal racism in poetry and songs. Quite a strong soldier in the war against prejudice, his train of thought was precisely what society needs, yet fears. Racism should be distinguished, but is as strong as ever. The end of its reign would enhance the ability of minorities in terms of jobs, societal acceptance, and life in general. Langston Hughes communicates his theme of racism and overcoming it through his use of Symbolism, Tone, and Anthropomorphism.
For many years, African Americans were forced to live without a voice and many accepted the fact that they were seen as inferior to the white race. Although they were excluded from being a part of society, built up emotions constructed beautiful pieces of poetry that have become important aspects of today’s literature. Langston Hughes’, “ I Too, Sing America” and Claude Mckay’s, “The White House” will be looked at closely to determine how each poem portrays emotional discontent and conflicted emotional states.
The civil rights movement may have technically ended in the nineteen sixties, but America is still feeling the adverse effects of this dark time in history today. African Americans were the group of people most affected by the Civil Rights Act and continue to be today. Great pain and suffering, though, usually amounts to great literature. This period in American history was no exception. Langston Hughes was a prolific writer before, during, and after the Civil Rights Act and produced many classic poems for African American literature. Hughes uses theme, point of view, and historical context in his poems “I, Too” and “Theme for English B” to expand the views on African American culture to his audience members.