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Langston hughespoetry analysis
Langston hughespoetry analysis
Literary criticism langston hughes
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Through the use of metaphors, Langston Hughes conveys that learning and accepting the truth about everyone's differences can result in stronger equality because in the end, people are not that different from one another. Equality, even today, is a very important factor in everyone’s lives because if no one accepts one another for who they are then societies will gradually fall apart. Hughes utilizes simple yet meaningful word diction in order to describe how he feels about being equal to his professor. For example, Hughes states, “...yet a party of me, as I am a part of you.” This describes acceptance because Hughes and his professor are a part of one another's lives whether they want to be or not. Another example of a metaphor is when Hughes
explains, “Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love. I like to work, read, learn, and understand life.” This describes equality because he is explaining the fact that, even though the color of his skin is different, that does not make him, as a person, any different than anyone else. By accepting the people and the differences that come along with them, equality will be a much easier thing to reach and everyone's lives will obtain much more happiness.
Langston Hughes paint a picture of himself, as he goes on to thirteen in church but finds himself directly reflecting on mans own instinctive behavior for obedience. A congregation who wants him to go up and get saved, gives into obedience and goes to the altar as if he has seen the light of the Holy Spirit itself. "won't you come? Wont you come to jesus? Young lambs, wont you come?" As the preacher stilling there with open arms, girls crying, kids standing that they have felt the power force of the holy spirit through there body. There, Langston, sits not feeling anything but himself sitting in a hot church waiting for this unknown pheumona to come and touch his inner soul only to find out that the Holy Spirit isn't coming for him at all.
“Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words.” –Edgar Allan Poe. Poetry is one of the world’s greatest wonders. It is a way to tell a story, raise awareness of a social or political issue, an expression of emotions, an outlet, and last but not least it is an art. Famous poet Langston Hughes uses his poetry as a musical art form to raise awareness of social injustices towards African-Americans during the time of the Harlem Renaissance. Although many poets share similarities with one another, Hughes creatively crafted his poetry in a way that was only unique to him during the 1920’s. He implemented different techniques and styles in his poetry that not only helped him excel during the 1920’s, but has also kept him relative in modern times. Famous poems of his such as a “Dream Deferred,” and “I, Too, Sing America” are still being studied and discussed today. Due to the cultural and historical events occurring during the 1920’s Langston Hughes was able to implement unique writing characteristics such as such as irregular use of form, cultural and historical referenced themes and musical influences such as Jazz and the blues that is demonstrative of his writing style. Langston Hughes use of distinct characteristics such as irregular use of form, cultural and historical referenced themes and musical influences such as Jazz and the blues helped highlight the plights of African-Americans during the Harlem Renaissance Era.
Most children that are raised in the Charismatic Christian church, experience the epiphany of being saved at some pointduring their childhood. Some may grow up and remain saved, some may later have doubts that they ever truly felt Jesus, which may lead them to doubt his existence at all. Langston Hughes tells of his experience of being saved from his sins in his short story titled “Salvation.”
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.
Langston Hughes's stories deal with and serve as a commentary of conditions befalling African Americans during the Depression Era. As Ostrom explains, "To a great degree, his stories speak for those who are disenfranchised, cheated, abused, or ignored because of race or class." (51) Hughes's stories speak of the downtrodden African-Americans neglected and overlooked by a prejudiced society. The recurring theme of powerlessness leads to violence is exemplified by the actions of Sargeant in "On the Road", old man Oyster in "Gumption", and the robber in "Why, You Reckon?"
Through the exemplary use of symbolism, Langston Hughes produced two poems that spoke to a singular idea: Black people have prevailed through trials and tribulations to carry on their legacy as a persevering people. From rivers to stairs, Hughes use of extended metaphor emphasizes the feeling of motion which epitomizes the determination of the people. Overall, the driving feeling of the poems coupled with their strong imagery produce two different works that solidify and validate one main idea.
The Harlem Renaissance inspired, and was inspired by some of the greatest poets, musicians and artists of the century. Among these great minds, were the poets Langston Hughes, and Claude McKay. Though motivated by the same hardships, people, and events, the works of both Hughes, and McKay show glaring differences in the perspectives of the authors. Upon reading “Harlem” by Hughes, the audience may easily see the author’s more peaceful call to action. In contrast, after reading “If We Must Die,” one can infer that McKay prefers to call his audience to obvious (physical) action. Langston Hughes’s poem portrays a more passive overtone, while Claude McKay’s poem is more aggressive. There are, however, a few similarities between the two works of
Equality is an ever-present theme throughout Hughes’ poetry. In “Theme for English B,” Hughes presents us with musical and effective language, an intense social statement, and a very important sense of equality, shocking us into reality.
... They focus more on the cultural aspects of identity that Hughes is very proud of, while poems “Democracy” and “Theme for English B” touch on some of the social concerns that created a struggle for dignity as a black person in the early/mid twentieth century. The “Democracy” is a slightly stern and direct request to take action and fight for civil rights. The “Theme for English B” is a compassionate and low-key personal anecdote that reiterates the unpracticed concept that “all men are created equal”. Despite the difference in tone and subject, all four poems relate to the central theme that dignity is something that white men may take for granted, but Langston Hughes, as a black man and a writer, sees and feels dignity as a fight and a struggle that he faces and that the black community as a whole faces every day.
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 ?The Negro Speaks of Rivers? by Langston Hughes contains many symbolic meanings about the identity of African Americans. Throughout the poem Hughes uses metaphorical statements to suggest to the reader what the soul of the African American has been through. The symbols of the old rivers from which the African American ideal has risen can be interpreted in many different ways. They represent the birth and growth of the African American culture, and some of the most significant moments of their past. The words written in this poem represent the pride and knowledge of a group of outstanding people.
In the short poem “Mother to Son,” written by Langston Hughes, the tales tells of a mother describing her life-s journey to her son. The mother describes her life of being filled with many obstacles and much difficulty. She puts her life story in terms, of a metaphorical wooden staircase and the obstacles she face along the way are symbolized by splinters, tacks, and broken boards in her life-s staircase. Yet, in this one-sided conversation to her son, she uses her story and her struggles to inspire him to keep moving forward and overcoming the obstacles on his own life-s staircase. The lesson she tries to convey to him, is to keep moving forward just as she did. Life is tough, and if she can do it and continue to do so, her son along with
By Langston Hughes can be efficaciously analyse with intertextuality, and identity theories. To illustrate a new perspective to different audiences about today 's society ideologies on social prejudice and progressivism in the American people. In order, to generate self consciousness of the dangerous effects of social identity.
Langston Hughes was an important in shaping the artistic contributions of the Harlem Renaissance, and that was what he is well known for. In “Mother to Son,” Hughes uses dramatic monologue as well as colloquial phrasing. The tone of the poem is didactic, but also pleasantly hopeful. The poem has twenty lines and it is free verse. The black dialect that the mother uses throughout the poem shows the authenticity of the poem.
Symbolism embodies Hughes’ literary poem through his use of the river as a timeless symbol. A river can be portrayed by many as an everlasting symbol of perpetual and continual change and of the constancy of time and of life itself. People have equated rivers to the aspects of life - time, love, death, and every other indescribable quality which evokes human life. This analogy is because a river exemplifies characteristics that can be ultimately damaging or explicitly peaceable. In the poem, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” Langston Hughes cites all of these qualities.