, Research Paper
Humanities 1020
November 29, 2000
The Harlem Renaissance and Langston Hughes
The Harlem Renaissance was a great and powerful era in black history, ?It was an African American cultural movement of the 1920s and early 1930s that was centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City? (?Harlem Renaissance?). Langston Hughes wrote ?Blues and Jazz flourished throughout the streets of New York, and young black artists began to arise [. . .]? (63). An important part of this era had to be the inspirational writings of Langston Hughes. James Mercer Langston Hughes, born in Joplin, Missouri, February 1, 1902, was raised by his grandmother after his parents divorced (Sporre 551). He graduated from high school in Cleveland, Ohio and went off to Mexico to live with his father for fifteen months (Jackson 1). While in Mexico, Hughes lived a very rural life and wrote many of his first poems which, although never published, began to distinguish him as a writer. Hughes attended Columbia University for one year, then returned to home for a short period in 1923 before he joined the crew of the SS Malone bound for Africa (?A Salute to Hughes?). From there he visited many places including Paris, Venice and Genoa before once again returning to America to live in Harlem, New York, in November 1924 (Andrews 65-69). While working in Washington D.C. as a busboy, Hughes left three of his poems beside the plate of Vachel Lindsey, an American poet, who liked Hughes? poetry and helped him publicize his writings (Jackson 3). Hughes? first book of poetry, The Weary Blues, was published by Alfred A. Knopf in 1926 (?Langston Hughes?). He was a great writer who completed a two volume autobiography, and edited many anthologies and pictorial volumes. Hughes dazzled writing for forty years and never gave up protesting for the rights of African Americans. He gave many motivational speeches across the nation supporting the black movement. Hughes continued his career publishing many books of poetry and prose. Langston Hughes went on to inspire the world through his literature until his death in Harlem on May 22, 1967 (Sporre 551).
Living in Harlem, he soon discovered the culture and literary circle of the Harlem Renaissance. As best said in the Norton Anthology of African American Literature, ?Hughes brought the spirit of the African American people to life, using blues and jazz as the basis of his poetic expressions [. . .]? (Andrews 1252). This is evident in some works such as The Negro Speaks of Rivers, and The Weary Blues. Most of his influences came from fellow black writers. Names such as, Dubois, Locke, Jesse Redmonfaset, Jean Toomer, Arna Bontemps, and Carl Van Vechten, inspired Hughes in his form and writing style (Andrews 929-930). His poems often portrayed the trials, tribulations, struggles and thoughts of a young Negro growing up in the twenties through sixties. His main goal was to express concern about the treatment of African Americans in this country, and to pursue civil and social justice. One of his most famous works is his continuing sage of Jesse B. Semple, also known as Simple. Hughes wrote columns about this fictional character, who dealt with very non-fictional problems. Jesse, who was really Hughes? voice, expressed the views and ideas of young black Americans (Andrews 1252-1253). Creating Simple to be smart, strong witted and wise, allowed Hughes to publish and undermine the standard of our pretentious society, while ironically and humorously pointing out the hypocritical nature of American Racism (Andrews 1257-1263). Hughes went on writing four series of writings about Simple. Hughes used a variety of themes in both his poetry and his prose. Nathan Irvin Huggins wrote ?His voice was very moving when he read his poems publicly. His voice was both rich and poetic and gave strong inspiration and love to the black community? (Andrews 1253). One work of his is particularly interesting. It shows the emotion and creativeness of the Harlem Renaissance in a few short lines. Hughes named this poem Cross.
My old man?s a white old man
And my old mother?s black.
If I ever cursed my old white man
I take my curses back.
If ever I cursed my black old mother
And wished she were in hell,
I?m sorry for that evil wish
And now I wish her well.
My old man died in a fine big house.
My ma died in a shack.
I wonder where I?m going to die,
Being neither white nor black? (Andrews 1254).
This poem explores the emotions and troubles of a young man born into a world of confusion. Confused by his heritage but arrogant in his pride. He is growing up in the whirl of a white society, and cannot decide whether he is white or black. Hughes, using a black mother and white father, makes it easy for the reader to understand and almost foresee where this poem is going. It is evident that there is an inner sense of not belonging. He fells remorse for all the curses and bad wishes he said to his parents, now that they have died. This all part of a bigger problem. Now that his parents are both deceased, he has no one turn to. He can?t seem to figure out whether he is going to die in riches, or rags. This is the great dilemma Hughes presents to the reader, leaving them in query to this unanswerable question. He cannot seem to find any truth in himself whatsoever. Huggins had this to say of the poem, ?This child is and forever will be lost in his own identity. Hughes uses this boys struggle symbolically, not to show the pressures of a crossed child, but rather to show how we as a society stereotype the races? (102-103). The white father dying in a fine house, whereas the mother dies in a shack, depicts the common view of the white race as being a more upscale and richer society, and the black culture oppressed in poverty and forever bound to the slums of the world. These questions and emotion are what made the Harlem Renaissance such an important movement for black America. For the first time in history, critics started taking a serious look at African American literature, and African American literature and arts attracted significant attention from the nation at large. This was what distinguished Hughes as a writer, a playwright and an activist. The Harlem Renaissance combined many great writers. Andrew P. Jackson wrote ?Langston Hughes, in my opinion, may be considered the most powerful among the many [. . .] some said it was his voice, others said it was his love for the Negro, but it?s clear that it was his ability to enhance our love of humanity? (2).
?A Salute to Hughes.? Smithsonian Institution. ?1997 Smithsonian Institution. 20 Nov 2000. .
Andrews, William, et al. The Norton Anthology of African American Literature. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1997.
?Harlem Renaissance.? Microsoft? Encarta? Online Encyclopedia 2000. ? 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation. 19 Nov 2000. .
Huggins, Nathan Irvin. Harlem Renaissance. New York: Oxford UP, 1973.
Hughes, Langston. I Wonder As I Wander: An Autobiographical Journey. New York: Hill and Wang, 1956.
?Hughes, Langston.? Microsoft? Encarta? Online Encyclopedia 2000. ? 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation. 20 Nov 2000. .
Jackson, Andrew P. James Langston Hughes. 1993-1998 Red Hot Jazz Inc. 22 Nov 2000. .
Sporre, Dennis J. The Creative Impulse: An Introduction to the Arts. Upper Saddle River: Prentice-Hall, 2000.
Другие работы по теме:
Langston Hughes And His Significance As A
Black American And As A Poet. Essay, Research Paper Langston Hughes was famous for his poetry, which helped to fuel the civil rights movement. His poetry also earned him fame but he still seemed to remain financially disabled. He didn’t get much recognition for his poetry until after he died.
Langston Hughes Essay Research Paper Poetry in
Langston Hughes Essay, Research Paper Poetry in Motion – Langston Hughes Langston Hughes was a poet that lived from 1902-1967. He was a very distinguished poet of the Harlem Renaissance, the great out pouring of african-american art. The poetry of Langston Huges is very different, yet it held the reader’s attention.
Langston Hughs Essay Research Paper He
Langston Hughs Essay, Research Paper ? He was called ? Shakespeare in Harlem,? The blues poet, the ?Simple? man on the street, The voice of Black Harlem ? (Tolson 1) Possessing qualities unlike any other, Langston Hughes believed that there was no difference between the common experiences of Black America and his own personal experiences. ?His life and work were enormously important in shaping the artistic contributions of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920 ?s ? (Tolson 1) Hughes wrote vividly about the life, luxury, and hardships of the poor black working class.
DickinsonS And HugheS Poems Comparison Essay Research
Paper Emily Camberg Reading Poetry 124L Paper One 11/8/99 After reading both “Tell All the Truth but Tell It Slant” by Emily Dickinson and “Harlem” by Langston Hughes, I determined that the main difference between the two poems is both poets’ use of diction. Dickinson makes use of abstract diction in her poem, using words like bright, delight, superb, and dazzle.
Langston Hughes Essay Research Paper The Harlem
Langston Hughes Essay, Research Paper The Harlem Renaissance was a great and powerful era in black history. Blues and Jazz flourished throughout the streets of New York, and young black artist began to arise an important part of this era had to be the inspirational writings of Mr. Langston Hughes. Born in Joplin, Missouri, Hughes was raised by his grandmother after his parents had divorced.
Harlem Renessaince Essay Research Paper We are
Harlem Renessaince Essay, Research Paper We are in the midst of a Harlem Renaissance, or a black Rennaissance if you will. Since the end of the Great War, until now, Africian American writers have producted prominent works, the artist have made masterpieces, and Shuffle Along was the pinnacle of all success.
Lagston Hughes Essay Research Paper Mother to
Lagston Hughes Essay, Research Paper Mother to Son In Langston Hues poem Mother to Son, strong poetic elements are used to express the feeling he has about the past, present, and future as an African American. Although all the elements in this peaice of work do not stand out, they due exist. They help Hughes bring his message across both subtly and strongly, all depending on how, Mother to Son, is interpreted.
Langston Hughes Essay Research Paper What was
Langston Hughes Essay, Research Paper What was the dream that brought our ancestors to America? It was rebirth, the craving for men to be born again, the yearning for a second chance. With all of these ideas comes the true American dream Freedom. This is the condition in which a man feels like a human being. It is the purpose and consequence of rebirth.
The Theme For English B Essay Research
Paper In the poem “Theme for English B,” by Langston Hughes, he talks about the African American struggle for equality. The poem starts off with a professor giving his students a paper to write about whatever subject they want. The instructor says to th students, “let that paper come out of you then, it will be true.” In the paper, Hughes explains everything that comes from his heart, just like his professor wanted him too.
Theme For English B
– Different, But The Same Essay, Research Paper In the poem, Theme for English B, Langston Hughes points out that we are often reluctant to admit that our similarities are often more common than our differences. Even though he is colored, he is still just like his white instructor in many ways. The colored man may appear to be different from the white man on the outside, but we are all the same on the inside.
Harlem Renissance Essay Research Paper The Writers
Harlem Renissance Essay, Research Paper The Writers of the Harlem Renaissance Throughout my research of the Harlem Renaissance I learned many things I previously didn’t know. One aspect of the Harlem RENAISSANCE that I researched was the author Zora Neale Hurston, and her contributions to the period. I learned much about the black influence on writing while doing this project.
Harlem Renaissance Essay Research Paper Harlem RenaissanceThroughout
Harlem Renaissance Essay, Research Paper Harlem Renaissance Throughout the history of African Americans, there have been important historical figures as well as times. Revered and inspirational leaders and eras like, Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement, Nat Turner and the slave revolt, or Huey Newton and the Black Panther Party.
Harlem Renaissance Essay Research Paper Harlem Renaissance
Harlem Renaissance Essay, Research Paper Harlem Renaissance An African American cultural movement of the 1920s and early 1930s that was centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. Variously known as the New Negro movement, the New Negro Renaissance, and the Negro Renaissance, the movement emerged toward the end of World War I in 1918, blossomed in the mid- to late 1920s, and then faded in the mid-1930s.
Harlem Renaissance 2 Essay Research Paper When
Harlem Renaissance 2 Essay, Research Paper When you think of Harlem the Harlem Renaissance, What is the first word that comes to mind? Harlem Renaissance was the great movement of the black
Life Of Langston Hughes Essay Research Paper
James Langston Hughes was born February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri to parents James Nathaniel and Carrie Mercer. He attended Columbia University and was a member of numerous organizations including the Authors Guild and Omega Psi Phi. His career as a poet, novelist, short story writer, playwright, song lyricist, radio writer, translator, children?s book author, and lecturer included 35 published plays, 1 screenplay, 2 operas, 3 songs, and numerous amounts of poetry, prose, and other literature.
Blackness Essay Research Paper BlacknessWhat is it
Blackness Essay, Research Paper Blackness What is it to be black? What is it to be white? Why are so many people looking to fit under a color s stereotype? To be born black is no longer the only factor or standard of blackness. Langston Hughes is a highly celebrated and commended author of the Harlem Renaissance.
Theme For English B Essay Research Paper
In the poem “Theme for English B”, by Langston Hughes, Hughes talks about the African American struggle for equality. This is a common subject for Hughes. In many of his poems he speaks about blacks and the injustices that they face. Another common subject for Hughes is the town, Harlem, which is also mentioned in “Theme for English B.”The poem starts off with an instructor giving his students a paper to write, the instructor says to the student, “let that page come out of you-Then, it will be true.” The poem is continued as the paper that Hughes is writing.
Visions And Voices Essay Research Paper Visions
Visions And Voices Essay, Research Paper Visions and Voices The biographical film of Langston Hughes is both informative and entertaining. It approaches Hughes s life with insightful observations from the people that personally knew him. The film goes into detail on his family background and early life before his poetic success, and continues through his life in Harlem, his literary achievements, and legacy.
Biography Of Langston Hughes Essay Research Paper
Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri, in 1902. His father, who had studied to become a lawyer, left for Mexico shortly after the baby was born. When Langston was seven or eight he went to live with his grandmother, who told him wonderful stories about Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth and took him to hear Booker T.
Life And Works Of Claude Mac
Kay Essay, Research Paper Claude Makay ws born in the district of Sunnyville located in the hills of Clarendon,Jamaica. His parents were Thomas Fransis and Ann Elizabeth Edward McKay. He died in Chicago in 1948 and was buried in New York. In his earlier days, Mckay was educated by his brother, who was a teacher, after his parents died.
Langston Hughes A Poetic Soul Essay Research
Paper Born in Joplin, Missouri, James Langston Hughes was born into an abolitionist family. He was the grandson of grandson of Charles Henry Langston, the brother of John Mercer Langston, who was the the first Black American to be elected to public office in 1855. Hughes attended Central High School in Cleveland, Ohio, but began writing poetry in the eighth grade, and was selected as Class Poet.
Harlem Renaissance Essay Research Paper Harlem RenaissanceWhat
Harlem Renaissance Essay, Research Paper Harlem Renaissance What is a renaissance? A renaissance is a movement or period of vigorous artistic and intellectual activity. There was a famous renaissance in Europe during the transition from medieval times to modern times that is still taught today. There was, also, a not so well known renaissance that occurred in the United States from the 1920 s to the 1930 s in Manhattan.
Dreams Deferred Essay Research Paper Dreams DeferredThe
Dreams Deferred Essay, Research Paper Dreams Deferred The poem, A Dream Deferred, by Langston Hughes, accurately and descriptively portrays the attitudes of African American people during the mid 1900 s. Hughes expresses the possible responses of African Americans to their dreams being deferred by means of metaphors and similes.
Harlem Rennaisance And Lost Generation Essay Research
Paper The Artists of the Harlem Renaissance and the Lost Generation diverged from the mainstream to begin separate cultures. Harlem was an area in New York with an extensive African American population. During the 20s poets, writers and musicians like Langston Hughes, Claude Mckay and Zora Neale Hurston made the Harlem area the center of black art and culture.
Langston Hughes Essay Research Paper LANGSTON HUGHESBibliographyIn
Langston Hughes Essay, Research Paper LANGSTON HUGHES Bibliography In 1902, Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri. He grew up in many different places such as Kansas, Illinois, and Ohio. His birth given name was James Mercer Langston Hughes. Later he dropped the first two names. Mary Patterson Leary Carrie Mercer Langston Hughes, Langston s mother, was a schoolteacher.
Langston Hughes Essay Research Paper Langston Hughes 2
Langston Hughes Essay, Research Paper Langston Hughes was one of the first black men to express the spirit of blues and jazz into words. An African American Hughes became a well known poet, novelist, journalist, and
Langston Hughes Essay Research Paper Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes Essay, Research Paper Langston Hughes: Poetry to the People I had been a writer who wrote mostly because, when I felt bad, writing kept me from feeling worse; it out my inner emotions into exterior form, and gave me an outlet for words that never came in conversation.
Langston Huges Essay Research Paper Langston Hughes
Langston Huges Essay, Research Paper Langston Hughes Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. His father was James Nathaniel and his mother was Carrie Mercer Langston Hughes. His grandfather was Charles Langston, an Ohio abolitionist. As a young boy he lived in Buffalo, New York, Cleveland, Ohio, Lawrence, Kansas, Mexico City, Topeka, Kansas, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Kansas City, Kansas.
Langston Hughes Essay Research Paper Fields 1When
Langston Hughes Essay, Research Paper Fields 1 When writing, one may take into consideration his or her surroundings such as living environment and for family and friends. One may reflect on experiences from the past and present. All these things together form the writer s style. Because of traveling overseas and living in Harlem, Langston Hughes used illustrative words and different musical rhythms in his poems and stories to show the life of Negroes.
A Dream Deferred Essay Research Paper
“A Dream Deferred” What happens to a dream deferred? (a) Does it dry up (b) like a raisin in the sun? (c) Or fester like a sore- (d) And then run? (c) Does it stink like rotten meat? (e)
Negro Speaks Essay Research Paper The Negro
Negro Speaks Essay, Research Paper The Negro Speaks of Rivers The poem The Negro Speaks of River , written by Langston Hughes, speaks loudly of the creativity of black people who have in essence have a rich history beginning from the dawn of civilization. Langston Hughes was born in 1902 and past in 1967,and was the first writer to make a living off of his writing, during the Harlem Renaissance.