The Poetry Of Langston Hughes - 1498 Words

Poetry, just like music, is a form of expressing the human language in a manner that manipulates the emotion and thought. With this definition in mind, poetry evolves as time and atmospheres change, and as they change, new challenges become present leading to different kinds of expressions and feelings about an environment. Thus, it is with these changing expressions and ideas that poetry itself evolves. However, poetry’s foundation does not rest solely on the fact that it is a medium through which feelings are expressed, but it is the medium through which many poets teach, and articulate revolutionary conceptions. This aspect can be applied to the famous poet Langston Hughes, whom by expressing his feelings of oppression in a racist†¦show more content†¦Aside from the how the first stanza exemplified African American pride, is how the second stanza defines what it means to be an African American. Within the second stanza that states â€Å" I am the darker brother/T hey send me to eat in the kitchen/When company comes/ But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong.†, The metaphor of Blacks being sent into a kitchen demonstrates how diversity in America between those of white and dark complexion has led to a segregated environment. Hughes suggests that whites consider Blacks as the shame and scum of society to the extent that they are sent in a desolate place, when company and opportunity is presented. Moreover, Hughes explains that no matter the circumstances or predispositions set against Blacks, African Americans will continue to eat well and grow strong, as well as persevere through the hardship until they acquire the freedom and prestige that they deserve. Apart from this, Hughes suggests how African Americans will achieve their freedom in society, within the third stanza that states Tomorrow,/ I’ll be at the table /When company comes./ Nobody’ll dare Say to me,/ ‘Eat in the kitchen,’/ Then.† What Hughes infers within this stanza is that the pain and oppression put upon African African Americans will finally come to an endShow MoreRelatedThe Poetry Of Langston Hughes1727 Words   |  7 PagesLangston Hughes is arguably one of the best known American writers of the twentieth century. He played an important influential part in the Harlem Renaissance, his poetry and other literary works helped pave way to a new wave of African American culture and literature. Hughes had a wide variety of works, he was much more than just a poet; he was a short-story writer, novelist, and playwright (Brucker). He was also very involved in the Black Arts Movement, and had works published in â€Å"The Crisis† theRead MoreLangston Hughes Poetry649 Words   |  3 PagesLangston Hughes, the most memorable figure of the Harlem Renaissance, wrote everything from plays, short stories, novels, and most importantly poetry. Hughes’ writing is based on his personal views on frustration that he had towards the plight of African Americans. Langston has no fear with anything he is involved in and stood up for his people. Unfortunately, his people responded negatively towards his actions, for they thought he was creating more racial tensions. Nevertheless, this was not Hughes’Read MoreThe Poetry Of Langston Hughes1001 Words   |  5 PagesPoetry is a platform used to express emotions, ideas, and style. Poets take inspiration from their background and past experiences to eloquently formulate their thoughts. Langston Hughes was no exception. Famous for his contribution to the embracement of African American culture in America during the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes began forming his thoughts into poetry early in his life. From growing up in segregated American and his involvement in the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes accounts theRead MoreAnalysis Of Langston Hughes Poetry2405 Words   |  10 PagesLangston Hughes was primarily an American poet and social activist who h ad tremendous racial pride, to say the least. He played an important role in uplifting his people, especially during the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes’ poetry and fiction portrayed the lives of working class blacks in America as well as celebrating African American culture. In his poetry, he strove to speak to, as well as for, the black masses. One of the ways that Hughes would incorporate African American culture and traditionRead MoreLangston Hughes Poetry Analysis1008 Words   |  5 PagesIn 1951, Langston Hughes wrote on of his more political poems titled â€Å"Harlem.† It shone light on the need for change in the African American society. Hughes used this poem, and many others like it, to help pioneer the Harlem Renaissance. Born in Joplin,Missouri , Hughes (1902-1967) grew up in Lincoln, Illinois and Cleveland,Ohio. He began writing poetry during his high schoolyears(Gardner,465).His high school companions, most of whom were white, remembered him as a handsome Indi anlooking youthRead MoreIdentity in the Poetry of Langston Hughes2807 Words   |  12 PagesSearch for Identity in the Poetry of Langston Hughes In exploring the problem of identity in Black literature we find no simple or definite explanation. Nevertheless, it is generally accepted that it is rooted in the reality of the discriminatory social system in America with its historic origins in the institution of slavery. One can discern that this slavery system imposes a double burden on the Negro through severe social and economic inequalities and through the heavy psychological consequencesRead MoreAnalysis Of Langston Hughes s Poetry977 Words   |  4 PagesLangston Hughes is widely renowned for his ability to represent the struggle of the African American community through his poetry during the time period around the Harlem Renaissance. As a world traveler and successful African American man, he was able to use his fame to enlighten the world, namely the white population, on the inequality and abuse of African American population in the United States. Despite his own battle with unhappiness and inequality (Royster, 344), Hughes was able to captureRead MoreLangston Hughes : African American Poetry1305 Words   |  6 PagesLangston Hughes: African American Poetry Langston Hughes grew up in a time of segregation, as a African American man living during the Civil Rights movement. During this time Langston wrote poetry from this point of view as a African American. Langston Hughes poetry is important due to his content, imagery, and voice. Through Langston’s voice he strengthened African Americans hope while opening the eyes of the white man to see what they are doing is wrong. Langston Hughes was born February 1,1902Read MoreThe Life and Poetry of Langston Hughes Essay776 Words   |  4 PagesCultural History, Langston Hughes was born February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. Growing up, he dealt with some hard times. His parents divorced when he was little and he grew up with neither of his parents. Hughes was raised by his grandmother since his father moved to Mexico after their divorce and his mother moved to Illinois. It was when Hughes was thirteen that he moved out to Lincoln, Illinois to be reunited with his mother. This is where Hughes began writing poetry. However, the familyRead MoreLangston Hughes Poetry Analysis Essay1287 Words   |  6 PagesArt is the illusion in which we see the truth- Pablo Picasso Langston Hughes clearly connects with a wide range of audiences through the simplicity that surrounds his poetry. The beauty of this manner in which he wrote his poetry, is that it grasp people by illustrating his narratives of the common lifestyles experienced by the current American generation. His art form expresses certain questionable ideologies of life and exposes to the audience what it takes to fully comprehend what being an