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,
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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
The history of African American discrimination is a despicable part of the United States’ past. Inequality among Black Americans prompts these individuals to overcome the hardships. This endurance is valued by African Americans and people all around the world. However, the ability to strive and maintain positivity in a difficult or prejudiced situation proves to be tremendously challenging. When people give up in tough times, they deny their opportunity to succeed and grow stronger. This paper examines the techniques that manifest the struggles of racism and the importance of conquering obstacles in the following poems: Dream Deferred, I, Too and Mother to Son.
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.
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
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.
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...
During the 1920's and 30’s, America went through a period of astonishing artistic creativity, the majority of which was concentrated in one neighborhood of New York City, Harlem. The creators of this period of growth in the arts were African-American writers and other artists. Langston Hughes is considered to be one of the most influential writers of the period know as the Harlem Renaissance. With the use of blues and jazz Hughes managed to express a range of different themes all revolving around the Negro. He played a major role in the Harlem Renaissance, helping to create and express black culture. He also wrote of political views and ideas, racial inequality and his opinion on religion. I believe that Langston Hughes’ poetry helps to capture the era know as the Harlem Renaissance.
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
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.
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.
The main character of the Odyssey, Odysseus the King of Ithaca is given a complex personality to an extent where it is hard to identify whether he is a true hero or not. True heroism is only achieved when a person achieves certain qualities that portray heroism. Odysseus is not a hero based on the standards of merciful, selfless, and gentle because of his actions of sacrificing his men, killing the suitors and being ruthless throughout the Odyssey. Along with many others qualities these three are helpful and necessary in a hero. A hero must be willing to do service for others and put the needs of others safety and protection before his own. Odysseus does not even come close to matching these qualities because he is a person, who only serves of himself, and he sacrifices his allies to achieve his goals and often he takes action ruthlessly.
Racism has been a problem in society for decades and even though people have taken stands for equality, racism is still present. People who felt on the outside during their life tried in any way to be heard since their own thoughts were valuable when taking steps closer to equality. Speeches, art, music, and literature were all valuable sources when African Americans spoke their minds. The Harlem Renaissance and personal experiences, being main inspirations, motivated Hughes to take new and creative approaches such as folk and jazz poetry. Langston Hughes was a voice that got across the unfair treatment and limited opportunities that many African Americans experienced throughout their lifetime.
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.
The challenges that Homer give the protagonist is all a test of character. Odysseus continues to pass the obstacles with flying colors, but his arrogance is the one flaw that is in dire need of correction. Some of the many challenges Odysseus overcomes on his voyage home is defeating the Cicones, surviving the Island of the Lotus Eaters, outsmarting the Giant Cyclops, saving his men from Circe, Traveling to Hades, passing between Scylla and Charybdis, escaping Calypsos’ Island and many more. Odysseus survives these obstacles and uses his smarts to escape near disaster. Often times he was the only one to survive these things and his crew often lost their lives due to their own stupidity. “‘We left the island and resumed our journey in a state of gloom; and the heart was taken out of my men by the wearisome rowing. But was our own stupidity that had deprived us of the wind.’”(P127 L75-79) Odysseus shows how he is an extraordinary man by being much smarter than his crew and the men that follow him. As a part of this stripping of Odysseus, Homer shows that Odysseus is a collective symbol of Everyman. On the one hand Odysseus is a great warrior, who is extremely intelligent, noble, and a great man. Although he has many god- like qualities he is still human. He shows that he is human and like every man, because of the fact that he still has major flaws. The
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