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.
In his poems, Langston Hughes treats racism not just a historical fact but a “fact” that is both personal and real. Hughes often wrote poems that reflect the aspirations of black poets, their desire to free themselves from the shackles of street life, poverty, and hopelessness. He also deliberately pushes for artistic independence and race pride that embody the values and aspirations of the common man. Racism is real, and the fact that many African-Americans are suffering from a feeling of extreme rejection and loneliness demonstrate this claim. The tone is optimistic but irritated. The same case can be said about Wright’s short stories. Wright’s tone is overtly irritated and miserable. But this is on the literary level. In his short stories, he portrays the African-American as a suffering individual, devoid of hope and optimism. He equates racism to oppression, arguing that the African-American experience was and is characterized by oppression, prejudice, and injustice. To a certain degree, both authors are keen to presenting the African-American experience as a painful and excruciating experience – an experience that is historically, culturally, and politically rooted. The desire to be free again, the call for redemption, and the path toward true racial justice are some of the themes in their
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
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.
Another example of Hughes’s constant struggles with racism and his inner and thoughtful response to that is clearly seen when he recalls being denied the right to sit at the same table. His point of view identifies that he was not able to sit at the table because he was an African-American. Yet, he remains very optimistic in not letting his misfortune please what is considered the “white-man” in the poem. Langston Hughes’s states,
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
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 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...
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.
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...
Langston Hughes', "On the Road," uses beautiful symbolism and imagery. He offers a gift to his readers: Open your heart and life will provide unlimited abundance. During this literary analysis, we will take a look at how Hughes uses nature to demonstrate his main character's unwillingness to participate in life. Another point we'll examine is the use of anger and survival and how it can be used as a powerful force in breaking down racial barriers. Next, we'II look at Jesus Christ as a metaphor for how we experience life and how traditional church values contradict each other when it comes to the acceptance of human beings. Finally, we'll briefly take an historic look at how the Depression gave blacks an even playing field with whites.
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.
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
Towards the middle of the poem the realist in Hughes comes out. He goes into the doubts that most African Americans had at the time. He says, "Down South in Dixie only train I sees got a Jim Crow car set aside for me." Another interesting technique he adds is when he capitalizes the "WHITE FOLKS ONLY" and "FOR COLORED" signs. He either does this to draw attention to the cause, or to try and know what it feels like to have these signs sticking in your face. He specifically mentions Birmingham, Mississippi, and Georgia during the poem. These were key cities that were into segregation of the South. "When it stops in Mississippi will it be made plain everybody's got a right to board the freedom train." Hughes almost is becoming a little agitated in the poem when he refers to these cities, especially when he is talking about Birmingham. "The Birmingham station's marked COLORED and WHITE, the white folks go left, the colored go right." In this part of the poem, he is questioning whether or not this Freedom Train is too good to be true. He sounds like he doubts a little of what this Freedom Train is all about. He knows there is a train, but there have been a lot of promises before that were not fulfilled, he does not want to get his hopes up before he finds out more about this train.