Langston Hughes Figurative Language

Langston Hughes is an American poet, social activist, novelist, and playwright. He was born February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. He later passed away on May 22, 1967 in New York City, New York. Langston Hughes has many poems and many varieties. This essay will display how Langston Hughes uses diction and repetition in his poems.

Langston Hughes remains known as the most impressive, durable Negro writer in America. His tone of voice is as sure, and the manner he speaks with is original. During the twenties when most American poets were turning inward, writing obscure and esoteric poetry, Hughes was turning outward using language and themes, attitudes, and ideas familiar to anyone who had the ability simply to read. He often employs dialect distinctive of the black urban dweller or the rural black peasant. Throughout Langston Hughes career, he was aware of injustice and oppression, and used his poetry as a means of opposing them. James D. Tyms says, “Hughes writes lyric poems. But his “lyric” persona is often able to copy this social convention of the Negro Folk. Their use of the method of the ballad, to tell others how they feel” (191). Hughes lived as an

     People always listen to music, watch movies or plays, and even read poetry without once even thinking what is could be that helps and artist eventually create a masterpiece. Often times, it is assumed that artists just have a “gift”, and people just do not consider the circumstances and situations that gradually mold a dormant idea into a polished reality. This seems to be the case with nearly every famous actor, writer, painter, or musician; including the ever-famous Langston Hughes.

A huddle of horns And a tinkle of glass A note Handed down from Marcus to Malcolm To a brother Too bad and too cool to give his name. Sometimes despair Makes the stoops shudder Sometimes there are endless depths of pain Singing a capella on street corners

Langston Hughes once said, “Negroes - Sweet and docile, Meek, humble, and kind: Beware the day - They change their mind.” Poetry has had a profound impact on the society and culture of the American people, changing styles throughout the decades, but remaining steady in

. The exposition in any story or poem is the beginning, probably the first paragraph that lays

In paragraph eleven of the essay, Hughes refers to his own artistic endeavours. The string of questions in this paragraph contribute to the development of his argument by anticipating some counterarguments, or objections to his argument. It also shows that he has faced a lot of criticism for doing what he loves, as have many other Black artists, yet he continues to do it. This contributes to his argument that despite criticism, Black artists will continue to paint, sing, write, and dance.

Another aspect from Hughes’ life that played a role in this writing is the spoken dialect. The characters in Hughes stories shared the same dialect that Hughes was exposed to during his childhood. Hughes grew up in the South where many of the Southern natives spoke a dialect that was not the same as the formal English language. Growing up in this environment, heavily influenced the way words were pronounced and spelled in his stories. Throughout Hughes’ writing, this dialect is displayed numerous times. An example of this dialect is, “Stop talkin’ ‘bout that chile’s haid and put yo’ clothes on” (Hughes 36).

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

Langston Hughes is a famous poet known mostly for his contribution to the Harlem Renaissance. He wrote many inspirational poems that are still read and used for educational purposes. Many of his poems were inspired by his life and his story. One of his many poems entitled “Theme for English B” talks about how his teacher instructed him to write a page about himself and it will be true. In a “Theme for English B”, Hughes uses tone, and characterization to display a relationship between race and writing.

The Wonderful Use of Similes
 Read this: “The ground was hot.” A more sophisticated poet would say, "The ground was as hot as the sun.” Which description sparked more imagery? In everyday life, people use comparisons to convey their feelings or to express themselves vividly. From seeing a new mother hold her baby for the first time, competing in the championship game, and getting a grade back from a difficult test, we often compare ourselves and things around us to help others comprehend.

In Langston Hughes’ “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” used rivers to describe African American people and I agree he described them to be equal, using metaphors, similes, and allusions. Langston Hughes wrote this poem in 1921 when racial issues between Caucasian and African American people were a significant problem. The poem is written in “free verse” and uses anaphora to give the reader the effect that he is the one telling the poem. The poem gives the reader the understanding that African American people have been around for as long as Caucasian people and are equally intelligent. The rivers give us a great meaning to the history of African American people and the narrator has known their struggle. There is a feeling of death towards the end of the poem. This gives the reader the impression that we are still struggling to be equal and it has withered him until his death.

This poem isn't concerned with imaginary worlds at night; it is about how one man can be happy. This poem is trying to convey one opinion of the perfect day: dancing under a tree until the dusk. To do so is the dream of an unidentified person. This bears little resemblance to “Dreams” by Edgar Allan Poe, despite the similar name. Some poetic techniques that Hughes uses is rhyme and repetition.

English 1, pat 2, assignment 1_4 Task 1 Dreams by Langston Hughes “Dreams” by Langston Hughes is a poem about realizing your hopes and inspirations. We all have desires for our life and want many accomplishments. We have hopes of becoming a teacher, doctor, truck driver, or a lawyer. This poem is about not giving up on your dreams.

According to Biography, James Mercer Langston Hughes is considered to be an African American poet who is college educated and comes from a middle-class family (Langston Hughes Biography). He attended college in New York City and became influential during the Harlem Renaissance (Langston Hughes Biography). Although Hughes was a talented writer, he faced some challenges early on and it was stated that his “early work was roundly criticized by many black intellectuals for portraying what they thought to be an unattractive view of black life” (Langston Hughes. American Poet). They believed that his work helps the spread the stereotypes of African Americans. “Hughes, more than any other black poet or writer, recorded faithfully the nuances of black life and its frustrations” (Langston Hughes. American Poet). Langston Hughes’s poems “The Negro Mother”, “Let America be America Again” and “The Weary Blues” were influenced by his life during the Harlem Renaissance and the racial inequality experienced in the late 1920s through the 1960s.