An Analysis Of Langston Hughes The Negro Speaks Of Rivers

Hughes ushers in the comparison in his fourth line, “My soul has grown deep like the rivers” (Hughes 4). Hughes compares the rivers to the growing of his deep soul. The rivers he talks about in the poem are perfect for talking about something deep like his soul, because the Euphrates, Congo, Nile, and Mississippi are all big and deep rivers. Hughes use of the word deep to describe his soul makes perfect sense in this simile, because if his soul has grown like the rivers and the rivers are deep, his soul must be growing deep too. This quote helps add to the theme of memory and the past, because Hughes remembers how the rivers have affected his soul, just like the past has affected

Langston Hughes uses both Harlem and The Negro Speaks of Rivers to evoke responses from his readers. Both of these poems are profound in and of themselves when simply read given the political and racial tensions at the time, but when read and digested, they can speak to any race, creed, or color. The use of figurative language in both of these poems is what makes them so easy to identify with. He uses blood, deep rivers, rotten meat, and other nouns to allow the reader to process what each of his or her own rotten meat or deep river is. Interestingly enough, when read passionately, the reader could get lost in his or her own story, but it is of upmost importance to remember that Hughes is chronicling the story of African American plight in such a way that allows anyone to identify with it. It is through this identification that allows anyone to develop pride and sensitivity for Hughes and his people.

In Langston Hughes' poem, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers", he examines some of the roles that blacks have played throughout history. Ultimately, the poem asserts that in every one of these aspects the black people have been exploited and made to suffer, mostly at the hands of white people. The poem is written entirely in first person, so there is a very personal tone, even though the speaker symbolizes the entire black race. The examples of each role cited in the poem are very specific, but they allude to greater indignities, relying on the readers' general knowledge of world history. To convey the injustice that has taken place, Hughes utilizes the symbolism of the

The text of the poem can be found at the bottom of this page.          In Langston Hughes' poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," Hughes makes use of some interesting poetic techniques. This poem is written in free verse, and seems, at first glance, to be very unstructured. Hughes repeats words and lines, but does not make use of repeated sounds. Hughes' rivers are very rich in symbolism, and are not just simple bodies of water. Finally, some of his word choices near the end of the poem help to bring the message of the poem across more strongly. These poetic techniques contribute greatly to the quality of the poem.

The short but inspirational poem "Harlem" by Langston Hughes addresses what happens to aspirations that are postponed or lost. The brief, mind provoking questions posed throughout the poem allow the readers to reflect--on the effects of delaying our dreams. In addition, the questions give indications about Hughes' views on deferred dreams.

Langston Hughes’, “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain” claimed that African Americans face racial and cultural challenges with finding their own identity in a society mainly influenced by Eurocentric American culture. More specifically, Hughes discussed the challenges of African American artists in embracing their black and remaining successful. Hughes recalled a conversation with a black poet, who stated that "I want to be a poet-not a Negro poet,” (Hughes, 964). Hughes interpreted his statement to mean that subconsciously he wanted to be white. He used this conversation and others to support his beliefs about African American identity and culture. He communicated that African Americans try to blend into the Eurocentric American culture,

One of his earliest poems, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, was written in 1921, long before Hughes would actually travel the world. However, without knowing the authors background and history, one might think it was written by a wise man of old age. Having only lived in various places in the United States, Hughes wrote this poem of an African American man who has seen the world, full with things many people never get to see, that nourished his soul and formed bonds with humans' deepest roots. The four rivers the narrator is mentioning, the Euphrates, the Congo river, the Nile and the Mississippi river, are all of great importance not only in the lives of all human beings, but slaves in particular.

The poem ?The Negro Speaks of Rivers? by Langston Hughes contains many symbolic meanings about the identity of African Americans. Throughout the poem Hughes uses metaphorical statements to suggest to the reader what the soul of the African American has been through. The symbols of the old rivers from which the African American ideal has risen can be interpreted in many different ways. They represent the birth and growth of the African American culture, and some of the most significant moments of their past. The words written in this poem represent the pride and knowledge of a group of outstanding people.

A big message in Langston Hughes poem, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, is the message of freedom. This poem talks and explains a lot about rivers, but thinking deep down it begins to focus on African Americans and their lack of freedom. A river flows easy and is free to do whatever. This is referring to what blacks should be able to do, like a river, flow and have freedom to do what they want. In Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. His parents got divorced when he was a child and his dad dad moved to Mexico shortly after. He was then raised by grandmother who took care of him until he was thirteen. When he turned thirteen he moved to Illinois to live with his mom and stepdad. Hughes started writing poetry when he moved to Illinois. He graduated from high school in Cleveland, which is where his family eventually resided permanently. After high school, he lived in Mexico for about a year and traveled to Africa and Europe. Hughes also attended Columbia University for a year after his dad agreed to pay for his college. Hughes dropped out after facing discrimination at the school, although he did love living in Harlem. He has mentioned that his major writing influences were Walt Whitman, Carl Sandburg,

Written at the age of seventeen, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes illustrates the historical journey of the African American race to America (Socarides). By using rivers as a metaphor for the source of life, Hughes outlines the movement of African American race from the Nile and Euphrates rivers in Africa to the Mississippi. Hughes subtly expresses his admonition of slavery and racism in the line "My soul has grown deep like the rivers" (Line 4). The line first appears in the poem when it follows the speaker’s statement that he has known rivers "ancient as the world and older than the/ flow of human blood in human veins" (Lines 2-3). The speaker here classifies himself

We are affected in many ways based on race and social status. It is how we over come these challenges, that makes us who we are. The question is what is wrong with black? I read an essay by Langston Hughes in which he breaks down the use of the word black. This essay provides the idea of how the word black creates a negative impression of African Americans. I found this essay rather interesting and biased in some cases, but it is an essay I feel everyone should read. In this essay he uses explains what the word black really means and the negative connotation that is sometimes attached to it. He stated how(709-710)”white folks have done used that word to mean something bad so often until now when the N.A.A.C.P. asks for civil rights for

The tone of this poem is quite sad and serious. I think that “My soul has grown deep like the rivers” is meant to be a very powerful quote because it is mentioned a lot in the poem and it shows how more wise he has become because of racial issues. Langston Hughes wrote this poem on the back of a letter that his father had sent him (Shmoop). “This poem is celebrated the voice and the soul of the black community in time of great racial intolerance, injustice, and inequality in America” (Shmoop). ““My soul has grown deep like the rivers”, this stand-alone line prefaces the issues that will be discussed in the following lines and makes the reader see that rivers are not like long probing roos of a true or human veins, but rivers are similar.”

In history, there have been many African American heroes such as Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, Harriet Jacobs, Frederick Douglas etc. They all contributed to free slaves from slavery. The author of "I, Too" is an African American whose work was about African Americans, he has received love from many people because of his poems. Hughes was a hardworking man who traveled through many countries; Hughes transmitted hope to his readers by letting them know that we all equal no matter our physical appearances. Hughes writes for everyone, not just a particular group. In his writing, he writes personal experiences and what happens around the world. Langston Hughes responds to Whitman's poem "I Hear America Singing" by using point of view and theme in order to convince others about hope and equality in America.

Although, some readers of “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” may interpret that the meaning of this poem is that any person and their lineage, due to the beginning of the poem starting at the Euphrates which not in Africa. This claim does hold merit, but you have to look at the deeper meaning of the poem and understand what was going on at the time Hughes wrote it. Moreover, in the title “The Negro Speaks” he is alluding to the “Negro” people and their voice. So, yes you could interpret the poem as speaking to people and their origins as a whole, but Hughes is mainly referring to the Negro