Ballad Of The Landlord By Langston Hughes

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In reviewing two of Langston Hughes’ poems, Ballad of the Landlord and Ruby Brown, the literary theory that would be most appropriate to use in analyze these poems would be historical. Historical criticism by definition studies the historical factors that influence the writer. Whether it is social, cultural, economic or etc., historical references can be used to understand and analyze works of literature. This particular style of evaluating works of literature also focuses on the time period as an influence on the reader as well. This literary form would be most appropriate in evaluating Langston Hughes’ poems, because both of these poems and most of Mr. Hughes’ works of art, are deeply influenced by issues that plagued the 1920’s such as
The entire poem focuses on the social problems historically faced by African Americans and the call for social justice back then. The tenant calls for the landlord to do something about the problems that he previously reported. His “roof has sprung a leak” and his “steps are broken down.” It is the stand off between the landlord and tenant who says he won’t pay another dime until the landlord “fixes this house up new,” that gets to the heart of the problem and struggle – the struggle of the poor. With the tenants’ threats of non payment come threats from the landlord to put the tenant and his belongings out on the street or cut off the services to his apartment. If that doesn’t work the landlord always has the law on his side to evict the tenant and have him arrested and historically this would be an accurate and true statement. It is Langston’s final statement regarding the landlord being “high and mighty” and above the law that lets the reader know exactly how things were. As a response the tenant states, “You ain’t gonna be able to say a word, If I land my fist on you,” is a sort of call to arms against the landlord and what he is trying to do to his tenant. All signs point to a stand off that historically would’ve never happened. An African American man would never challenge a white man in the 1920’s and
He used his works of literature along with other famous artists, musicians and etc. during the Harlem Renaissance to bring subjects that were often repressed to light. In my opinion, it would be a great disservice to not use history to develop the themes and meanings within his poems. Other literary theories would rightly fit both poems, but if it is obvious that he wanted to capture and highlight the African American struggle, why use anything

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