The poem “Dreams” by Langston Hughes would be portrayed as a lyric poem due to its expression and personal emotions. Within two stanzas Hughes uses literally devices such as similes, metaphors, imagery and personification to convey the importance of his point. Anyone who reads this...
Langston Hughes is a classic American author whose writing style is, perhaps, one of the most malleable styles in the history of American literature. In the first place, he is among the exclusive echelon of writers to oscillate back and forth in his works between...
The House on Mango Street History repeats itself in more ways than one and this statement reigns true for almost all aspects of life and this especially holds true with war. Over and over again we see destruction promises of repair and then many decades...
“Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains” is a quote by Rousseau from his book The Social Contract. The opening lines were meant to address an individual’s freedom narrowed by the government, however, the quote is perhaps heavily famous due to its...
The poetry of Langston Hughes The poet laureate of Harlem, is an effective commentary on the condition of blacks in America during the 20th Century. Hughes places particular emphasis on Harlem, a black area in New York that became a destination of many hopeful blacks...
Exploring Salvation in Langston Hughes’ “Salvation” Langston Hughes’ short story “Salvation” is all about the theme of salvation. It’s centered on a young narrator who’s trying to make sense of faith, belief, and just going along with what everyone else expects. Hughes uses some vivid...
Discrimination towards the African American community was at a peak in the early twentieth century. There had been many writers that emerged during the Harlem Renaissance, a movement about the celebration of the black arts and being black. Langston Hughes was a popular author that...
Langston Hughes is widely regarded as one of the most influential and impactful poets of the Harlem Renaissance. His poem “Dreams” is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that delves into the importance of dreams and aspirations in the face of adversity. In this essay, we...
Introduction Made-to-order essay as fast as you need it Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences + experts online Get my essay This short poem is one of Hughes’s most famous works. It is probably the most common Langston Hughes poem taught...
Langston Hughes’ short story “Salvation” is a poignant narrative that delves into the spiritual crisis experienced by a young boy. This essay seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of this thought-provoking piece of literature. Through a close reading of the text, as well as a...
Langston Hughes’s poem ‘Harlem’ sometimes called A Dream Deferred, explores the consequences of allowing a dream to go unfulfilled. The title of the poem, ‘Harlem’, implies that the dream is one that has been kept from the people. Hughes titled this poem ‘Harlem’ after the...
Langston Hughes, a big name in the Harlem Renaissance, really nails the African American identity and experience in his essay “The Negro.” This piece shows off Hughes’ knack for mixing history, culture, and social commentary into a gripping story. By looking at “The Negro,” we...
The period of 1919 to 1929 saw a change in the history of the United States of America. The Great Migration was on with an influx of blacks moving from the south to the north in search of better opportunities. Many settled in Harlem, located...
Introduction Langston Hughes, a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance, revolutionized American literature with his distinctive poetic style. His works, deeply embedded in African American culture, stand as a testament to his commitment to social justice and his profound understanding of the human condition. Hughes’...
Langston Hughes is widely regarded as one of the most influential African American poets and writers of the 20th century. Throughout his life, he faced numerous struggles and challenges that shaped his work and contributed to his unique voice in American literature. This essay will...
Introduction In the tapestry of American literature, certain stories resonate through time, reflecting the nuanced complexities of race, oppression, and the human condition. “Why You Reckon?” a short narrative penned by the illustrious Langston Hughes, emerges as a profound exploration of these themes. This essay...
Langston Hughes’ poem, “Mother to Son,” is a captivating piece of literature that employs symbolism to convey profound messages about the complexities of life. Through the use of a staircase as a recurring symbol, the poet masterfully illustrates the struggles and hardships one encounters on...
Langston Hughes, an iconic figure in the Harlem Renaissance, employs various literary techniques to convey the theme of dreams and frustration in his powerful poem, “Harlem.” Published in 1951, the poem serves as a poignant reflection on the unfulfilled dreams of African Americans during the...
Introduction Langston Hughes’ “Dream Variation” is a powerful poem that poignantly addresses the African-American experience and the struggle for equality in the United States during the early 20th century. The poem draws inspiration from the Harlem Renaissance, a period of great cultural and artistic creativity...
Langston Hughes, often hailed as a leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance, made significant contributions to American literature and culture through his poetry, essays, and plays. His works captured the African American experience with raw emotion and vivid imagery, shedding light on the struggles and...
"What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun?... Or does it explode?"
"I've known rivers: I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers."
"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly."
Date
February 1, 1901 – May 22, 1967
Activity
Langston Hughes was an American writer who was an important figure in the Harlem Renaissance and made the African American experience the subject of his writings, which ranged from poetry and plays to novels and newspaper columns.
Works
“Dream Variation”, “Fine Clothes to the Jew”, “Harlem”, “Mule Bone”, “Not Without Laughter”, “One-Way Ticket”, “The Panther and the Lash”, “The Big Sea”, “The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes”, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”, “The Weary Blues”
Themes
Hughes, like others active in the Harlem Renaissance, had a strong sense of racial pride. Through his poetry, novels, plays, essays, and children's books, he promoted equality, condemned racism and injustice, and celebrated African American culture, humor, and spirituality.
Influence
One of the earliest innovators of the literary art form called jazz poetry, Hughes is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. He famously wrote about the period that "the Negro was in vogue", which was later paraphrased as "when Harlem was in vogue."
Quotes
“Humor is laughing at what you haven't got when you ought to have it.”
“I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.”
“...the only way to get a thing done is to start to do it, then keep on doing it, and finally you'll finish it,....”
