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Walt Whitman’s version of America is different from the Langston Hughes’ version of America because in “Let America Be America Again” Langston Hughes is describing America as a state that is essentially unequal and doesn’t live up to it’s reputation for different “groups” of people in America. Then in Walt Whitman’s poem “I Hear America Singing” he is expressing how some people feel joyful when it comes to working in America.
One way Langston Hughes describes America as unequal is by saying “ Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed, let it be that great strong land of love. Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme, that any man be crushed by one above.” In this quote Langston Hughes is trying to explain how it doesn’t matter what you act or look like, you can be free or get a second chance in America. Even if you are a conniving king or you are a dreamer, anyone can be frowned upon by another great source of power. But America doesn’t live up to that reputation. Another way Langston Hughes describes America as unequal is by saying “There has never been equality for me, nor freedom
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in this ‘homeland of the free’.” In this quote Langston Hughes is compelling the meaning of equality in his perspective by saying how he never believed that America was ever free to himself nor anyone else. Walt Whitman’s poem is explaining how people are joyful when they are working in america by saying “the carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,the mason singing his as he makes ready or work, or leaves off work.” In this quote Walt Whitman is showing how the carpenter and the mason are both happy doing their jobs and working for America because it says that they are “singing” which means that they are joyful or enthusiastic about the task that they are doing.
Another reason why “I hear America Singing” is showing how the people are enthusiastic about working for America is because Walt Whitman says in his poem “singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.” The word singing in this quote represents happiness, so since that word is in between the worker and their jobs that could be considered that they are okay or satisfied with their
jobs. Both of these poems are different from one another because in the poem written by Walt Whitman he wrote about different people who have jobs in America that they actually enjoy and that they like working for America. Then in the poem created by Langston Hughes he was writing about different groups of people and how their lives changed when they came to America, or as they are living in America.
In "Langston Hughes and the "Other" Whitman", George Hutchinson summarizes the similarities between Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman. Although Walt Whitman wrote during the American Antebellum Era and Hughes wrote during the Harlem Renaissance, both used their works to advocate for African Americans. Hughes greatly admired Whitman and felt that he had been ignored and underappreciated as a writer. Hughes’ admiration and respect for Whitman allowed him to develop his own unique style of writing and encouraged him to be a voice for those living in Harlem. Analyzing Whitman’s poetry enabled Hughes to find ways to incorporate aspects of Jazz and Blues into his poetry. Whitman and Hughes both integrated their opinions into their poetry and used
Although Langston Hughes’ “Why, You Reckon?” is a short story, it encapsulates differences between races and classes in American society. The story highlights the desperate and hopeless lives of poor African-Americans in Harlem, New York, who would do anything just so they can fill their stomachs. Hughes adds a contrast by putting in a white man who uses his money and privileges to try to experience the exuberance of Harlem but fails to do so. Written in 1934, during the peak of racial divide in America, Langston Hughes’ “Why, you reckon?” shows that real experiences, not money, contribute to happiness.
The poem “Likewise” by Langston Hughes is about Jews living and selling products in Harlem. But looking deeper into the writing reveals references to the creeping increase of antisemitism in the 1930’s and 1940’s.
Have you ever heard the expression money isn’t everything? Well it’s true and in Langston Hughes short story, “Why, You reckon,” Hughes reveals his theme of how people aren’t always as happy as they seem when they have lots of money.
This poem is often compared to Walt Whitman’s I Hear America Singing because of the similarities of the two poems. In this poem, Hughes argues that the African American race is equal to whites. Hughes even declares that one day the African American race will be equal to whites. Hughes proclaims, “Besides, They’ll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed-I, too, am America.” Hughes was very bold and daring when he wrote these lines in this poem. He is implying that the white people will regret what they have done to blacks. That they will be ashamed of how they treated them. Undoubtedly, this poem expresses Hughes cultural identity.
Whitman’s poem was written in the mid-1800s during the industrial revolution, but Hughes’ poem was written in the 1900s during the Civil Rights Movement. This is important because the Civil Rights Movement established the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Industrial Revolution moved at a slow place but there were still issues with slavery. Whitman’s poem was free verse while Hughes’ poem was traditional rhyme/rhythm. The tone of Whitman’s poem was patriotic and celebratory (I HEAR America singing, the varied carols I hear); because he was paying tribute to the success of the individuals; however, the tone of Hughes’ poem was sarcastic and frustrated (to build a “homeland of the free,’’ because he didn’t feel like some individuals were allowed to experience the American Dream. Whitman’s theme of his poem was that individuals and liberties make America great. On the other hand, Hughes’ theme of his poem expressed that individuals felt excluded from the “homeland of the free.” The purpose of Whitman’s poem is praise for universal brotherhood. However, Hughes’ poem’s purpose was to inform individuals about inequality, meaning that not everyone has the same liberties in America. Whitman’s poem focused on the jobs of the workers, while Hughes’ poem focused on race, social status, and a list to represent the “I am’’ phrase; (I am the Negro bearing slavery’s scars). He also
In "I, Too," Langston Hughes is obviously in conversation with the earlier poem, Walt Whitman 's "I Hear America Singing." Both poems explore the idea of American identity -- who and what is an American? What characterizes the people of this nation? The two poets, however, reach somewhat different conclusions in response to these questions.
Alexis de Tocqueville and Langston Hughes both have their own ideas about what America is, was, and should be. Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America praises American democracy in which everyone is included. This inclusion allows for democracy that everyone can be a part of and feel like they are contributing. On the contrary, Langston Hughes’s “Let America Be America Again” depicts an excluding America that does not treat everyone equivalently. Hughes portrays America as a misrepresentation that does not uphold the ideals that it is so famous for. The two works contrast in many ways but do have some similarities. Although their ideas are different, politics is still a choice. Tocqueville describes politics as a choice that everyone should make as it benefits them all while Hughes describes politics as a choice that some do not have the power to take part in. The differing sentiments between Democracy in America and “Let America Be America Again” stem
“Theme for English B” and “Let American be American again” share some similar elements. These poems both written by Langston Hughes both explain about inequality. Theme for English B revolves around the separation of the black and white man; the differences within each race were segregation was at a high point. Let America be America again revolves around the concept that America is supposed to be the land of the free, but to another race or background; it’s a total opposite. (I guess that being colored doesn’t make me not like the other folks who are other races. - Theme for English B). ...
population is oppressed and must ignore or postpone their dreams. The more dreams are postponed
Booker T. Washington was a young black male born into the shackles of Southern slavery. With the Union victory in the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, Washington’s family and blacks in the United States found hope in a new opportunity, freedom. Washington saw this freedom as an opportunity to pursue a practical education. Through perseverance and good fortunes, Washington was able to attain that education at Hampton National Institute. At Hampton, his experiences and beliefs in industrial education contributed to his successful foundation at the Tuskegee Institute. The institute went on to become the beacon of light for African American education in the South. Booker T. Washington was an influential voice in the African American community following the Civil War. In his autobiography, Up from Slavery, Washington outlines his personal accounts of his life, achievements, and struggles. In the autobiography, Washington fails to address the struggle of blacks during Reconstruction to escape the southern stigma of African Americans only being useful for labor. However, Washington argues that blacks should attain an industrial education that enables them to find employment through meeting the economic needs of the South, obtaining moral character and intelligence, and embracing practical labor. His arguments are supported through his personal accounts as a student at Hampton Institute and as an administrator at the Tuskegee Institute. Washington’s autobiography is a great source of insight into the black education debate following Reconstruction.
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 poems “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman, “America” by Claude McKay, and “We Are Running” by Lucille Clifton all sketch a robust image of the importance of time. Although each poem is written within a different period of American history, the reader easily fuses the poems together by focusing on the fascination of time displayed throughout each of the poems. In “I Hear America Singing” the author leads the reader through a typical workday of early American laborers and creates a harmonious yet rustic reflection of a hard day’s work. “America” written in 1922 conveys a message of longing for future days when time will grant alleviation from the author’s suffering. However, in “We Are Running” the author sounds chaotic and stressed by the notion of time.
Langston Hughes was a prominent figure in writing about the struggles of African Americans. In his work, "Dream Deferred," he ponders the question what happens when a person's dreams are destroyed.
In the short story ‘Thank You Ma’am’ Langston Hughes examines the interaction between Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones and Roger. It tells the reader the image of goodness and how it remains to be a personal decision. In the story Rodger, learns that life is hard for everyone, being poor doesn’t mean you should make poor decisions, and that people can generous if you have a real need. Mrs. Jones tries to show Rodger that it is not everyone should be punished for their actions, but instead letting it be a teachable moment.