Langston Hughes was a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that took place in the 1920s and 1930s, and played a pivotal role in shaping American literature. As a writer, Hughes was known for his powerful depictions of African American life, capturing the joys and struggles of Black Americans in the early 20th century. Some of his most famous works include “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” “I, Too,” “Dreams,” and “Harlem (A Dream Deferred).” Through his writing, Hughes became a voice for the African American community, addressing themes of identity, race, and social justice. In this collection of essays, we will explore the life and legacy of Langston Hughes, examining his major works, his impact on American literature, and his enduring relevance in today’s society.
The city, Harlem, the source of hope and a beck of light for the black community during the 1920s and 30’s, served as a fountain of inspiration as the artistic talent and aspirations flowed from the streets of the neighborhoods. The Great Migration drew hundreds of thousands of African Americans to the city. The Harlem … Read more
Symbolism in “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” 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 … Read more
Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri. He was a poet during the 1930s and is known for being one of the founders of the Harlem Renaissance. He attended college at Columbia University, but only for a year before he decided to drop out and explore the world via traveling. He … Read more
Poetry, politics and representation are inherently connected in African American poetry, especially in work produced during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, such as Langston Hughes’s poem Song for a Dark Girl (p1), which this essay will focus on. African American poetry around this time is inescapably political given the historical context of inordinate … Read more
The Harlem Renaissance was a period of time in the 1920s which included the artistic explosion when many African Americans became famous for their work. The Harlem Renaissance portrayed the intellectual capabilities that African Americans obtain and helped gain back African American’s self-esteem. This movement was seen to have been caused by the Great … Read more
Langston Hughes wrote poetry for American jazz and blues using very simple diction sharing stories of living as a black man, express his ideas on being black , and informing the public about the reality of black life, while facing a considerable amount of criticism. Hughes wanted to be a different type of … Read more
Upon first sight of Langston Hughes famous 1950’s poem, you catch a title loaded with antecedent implications into the history of a city, but most importantly the culture that made this city a hub for African American history. Immediately we are taken into the drop back of Harlem and, at the time written, the tension … Read more
Change is difficult to acknowledge, but on the other hand it’s difficult to bring. Change can be acquired various diverse ways; it tends to be brought through savagery, talks or words. Wars constrained change through brutality, Gandhi brought it through addresses and Hughes caused it by his lyrics. Winston Churchill once stated, “There is nothing … Read more
In the 1920’s, creative and intellectual life flourished within African American communities in the North and Midwest regions of the United States, but nowhere more so than in Harlem. The small New York City neighborhood was filled with black artists, poets, intellectuals, writers, and musicians. Black-owned businesses, from newspapers, publishing houses, and music companies … Read more
The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920’s and the ‘30s was known as the “New Negro Movement”, which was named after the 1925 anthology by Alain Locke. The Renaissance was an intellectual, social, and artistic movement that took place in Harlem, New York. This was considered to be a rebirth of African American arts. One … Read more
Marcus Jones 8/2/2018 Is America Really America? Langston Hughes, a major African American writer, is committed to telling the truth about the lives of black people through his passionate poetry. For instance, in his poem “Let America be America Again”, Hughes, being less than sanguine, claims that in reality people who possesses power often … Read more
Personal conscience encompasses a person’s individual relationship with the environmental situation because everyone has a different experience of reality. It can be interpreted as one’s individual thoughts, feelings and emotions based on the way they perceive things. Stanley Milgram, an American Social Psychologist, conducted a series of social psychology experiments in which he measured the willingness … Read more
The Themes, Styles, and Techniques of Langston Hughes Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri on February 1, 1901 to Carrie Mercer Langston and James Nathaniel Hughes. Hughes lived in a number of different towns in the Midwest, meanwhile during the early years of Hughes’ childhood, his father left the family and later … Read more
As African-American actor Mahershala Ali remembers, “when I was growing up, Harlem was the Mecca of black culture. I was so inspired by it, the aspirational feeling you’d get spending time there. Experiences that were really specific to that place.” Alike most of the black community in the United States, Ali finds a sense of … Read more
Have you ever been denied respect or responsibility not based on your effort but solely based on the color of your skin? Discrimination is a sad truth that affects many people in our nation, and those who have never had to face it often turn a blind eye. However, poet Langston Hughes tried to … Read more
A Differed Dream Become A Reality Langston Hughes also known as James Mercer Langston Hughes was born February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri. He was named after his father, James Hughes, but was known as Langston. He was the only child from his parents James and Carrie Hughes. His parents divorced when he was … Read more
Anh Vu (Maia) Professor Tredore ENG-102 6 Feb 2017 Langston Hughes’s Blues The Harlem Renaissance marks an unforgettable time period when the world fell in love with African American culture through music, art, and literature. “The Weary Blues,” by Langston Hughes is one of the most influential pieces of literature during the time. Moving … Read more
The influence of the Harlem Renaissance on Langston Hughes During the years 1902 -1967 been a black person it was something difficult, racism was one of the bigger problem that took over the world. Most of the black people even decided to move around the world trying to find a place where anybody didn’t … Read more
Renaissance is defined as a rebirth or revival. The Harlem Renaissance started in the mid 1920âs. It marked the renewal and revival of African Americans. A time during which slavery was ushered from the minds of African Americans and one also during which their spirits were renewed culturally through poetry music and arts. Many African … Read more
When writing an essay on one of Langston Hughes’ works, there are several key points, themes, and topics that can be explored. Here are some ideas to consider:
Historical context: Hughes’ works often reflect the social, political, and cultural climate of the early 20th century. Consider how the historical context of the time period influenced the themes and ideas in the work.
Identity: Hughes was interested in exploring the complexities of identity, particularly the experiences of African Americans in the United States. Consider how the work addresses issues of race, gender, and identity, and how these themes are explored.
Language and style: Hughes was known for his use of vernacular language and poetic style. Consider how the language and style of the work contribute to its overall meaning and impact.
Dreams and aspirations: Many of Hughes’ works address the dreams and aspirations of African Americans, particularly the desire for equality and social justice. Consider how the work addresses these themes and what message it conveys.
Community and culture: Hughes often celebrated the richness and diversity of African American culture and community. Consider how the work portrays the importance of community and culture in shaping individual identity and experiences.
Symbolism: Hughes frequently used symbolism in his works to convey deeper meanings and ideas. Consider how the use of symbolism in the work contributes to its overall meaning and impact.
Literary influences: Hughes was influenced by many writers and literary traditions, including the Harlem Renaissance and the blues. Consider how the work reflects these influences and what it contributes to the broader literary tradition.
By considering these and other topics, you can craft a thoughtful and nuanced essay that explores the richness and complexity of Langston Hughes’ work.
