Poetry Analysis for the Theme for English B Langston Hughes the speaker and author of the poem “Theme for English B” uses figurative language, imagery, and tone to develop the theme of racial discrimination. The poem focuses on how he is different from a racial standpoint but is similar in the way he lives and is an American. Langston Hughes uses figurative language throughout his poem. “I feel and see and hear, Harlem, I hear you.” (Line 18). This is an example of personification in his poetry. He uses a metaphor in this quote “we two-you, me, talk on this page.” (Line 19). The way Hughes uses this figurative language brings depth and requires the reader to think about what is written and in turn, engages the reader. Langston Hughes also
My background as a tenacious student and a minority has allowed me to connect to the poem in ways that I could very much relate to. I have personally lived through the motions of life that he refers to in “Theme for English b”.Langston Hughes’s poem is more about the differences he knows other people see in him or rather on him, and what they are missing. By doing this, Hughes make it clear that the color of his skin plays a crucial role in the way that people think he is like. He finishes by boldly stating what he had been
The metaphor in line 3, “They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes,” expresses the oppression that African Americans still face (Hughes). However, as the poem progresses, a sense of hope appears. Found in line 15, “Besides, They’ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed---” the true value of African Americans will soon enough prevail (Hughes). In “I Too”, the narrator’s use of personal pronouns symbolizes the entirety of African Americans and how the oppression denotes isolation.
The article offers a unique view into Hughes’s poetry, revealing another side of Hughes’s expertise as a poet. Although she does spend a great deal of time on the discussion of the importance of Hughes’s diction to the rhythms he wanted to infuse into the aforementioned five pieces, Dickinson does more than the traditional literary analysis in order to explain Hughes’s talents as a writer. With special attention given to the five of his lesser-known works, she gives the reader an opportunity to hear the music within the lines of many pieces.
The two poems “White Lies” by Natasha Trethewey and “Theme for English B” by Langston Hughes were written to express racial dilemmas that the authors went through. Thematically, they represent the American Dream. In “White Lies” we see that Trethewey went through some racial identity issues. She felt as if she had to lie to blend in with the rest of the whites, which was easy for her because she was mixed. To understand the full meaning of this poem, one assumes that Trethewey was the product of an interracial marriage. This type of thing was frowned upon during the time she grew up. In the poem “Theme for English B” Hughes seems to accept the fact that he is different. Hughes does not seem to have a problem with expressing his difference. He looks at as his individuality and strives to let everyone know that he is proud of who he is. The two poems have many similarities and differences.
Hughes, Langston. "Theme for English B". The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Vol. D. . Nina Baym. 7th Ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2007.
children will be treated the same for being a mixed race just as they were. Anzaluda was afraid herself that being a “mestiza” complicated her chances by cause of the mix with white culture and mexican culture, which had two different cultural beliefs.
What defines a person? What makes them different from everyone else? For many people it is their personality that describes who they are. Back in the 20th century, people were separated by their skin color. It didn't matter if you were funny or boring, inspiring or just plain. People were known as blacks and as whites. Blacks did not amount to anything, they were secluded from everyone else. But in 1920 blacks were able to be taken seriously for their poetry. One man in particular, was Langston Hughes, he lived from 1902- 1967. He was known as the most successful African American writes. He wrote about what the world was like for an African American, from the eyes of an African American. In Hughes poems, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, I,Too, Dream Variations, and Refugee in America, he demonstrates how diverse an African American life can be.
It appears throughout the poem, that he is able to clearly see the differences and similarities of himself and his classmates. The speaker states, “I am the only colored student in my class” (Hughes 10) as he identifies as the challenged minority. He then begins showing the similarities he has with his instructor and classmates in the sixth stanza, “Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love./I like to work, read, learn, and understand life” ( 21-22). He says that the color of his skin does not make a difference in everyday living, the music he listens too or the type of literature that interests him. In the following stanza he talks about how he is just like everyone else, despite his skin color.
“Theme for English B” is a poem written by Langston Hughes in 1951. At that time, African Americans were not considered to be part of American. Instead they had laws, called the jim crow laws, that prohibited them from doing many thing— including the right to be free. In this poem Hughes writes about a young African American student whose professor has asked the class to write a page about themselves and for it to be true. The speaker, being the only colored student in the class, beings to write about how it is hard to understand what is true and how it would be different from him since he is not white.
If the reader misses the metaphor in the first line, then the entire poem makes it absolutely no sense. Hughes repeats the metaphor in line 17 to make sure the reader understands that he is making a connection between himself and the entire
In Langston Hughes’ poem “Theme for English B,” he presents how unobtainable the American Dream is for a twenty-two year old African American male. Hughes illuminates upon the hardship an oppressed African American male faces daily. The American Dream is a traditional principle where freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success. The speaker presents his truth and the struggles he encounters.
Poetry Analysis: “Dreams” by Langston Hughes 1. “Dreams” by Langston Hughes Miranda E. Mancillas James Madison High School “Dreams” is a wonderful poem created by Langston Hughes. The poem “Dreams,” is a very simple, short poem, but it’s meaning is very powerful. The tone of the poem is powerful as well and is very motivational. The theme of “Dreams” is clarifying the importance of holding on to your most powerful dreams.
“Critical Essay on ‘Theme for English B’”, written by Chris Semansky, is just that: an analytical essay on Langston Hughes’ poem “Theme for English B”. The article is a dissection of the author’s insight on the subject matter. The paper provides a detailed assessment of the content of Langston Hughes’ work by providing the reader with perspective on Hughes’ possible thoughts about people and the way they view themselves as well as others and how it affects their own judgments about themselves. The author strengthens his evaluation with background information about the poet. The writer of the article speculates that the poem is actually self-biographical.
Feelin’ Blue Leon Redbone once said “The blues ain’t nothing but a good man feeling bad.” Redbone, a famous blues singer-songwriter, really captured the entire essence of the poem “The Weary Blues” by Langston Hughes. The vivid language, the rhythm, and the emotion of the poem “The Weary Blues” shows that the theme of this poem is the pain that people experience. “The Weary Blues” is about the blues, and this style of music is known to be able to make the audience feel pain, depression, and suffering.
Equally as significant as the use of figurative language in both Langston Hughes’ poem, and Maya Angelou’s poem, is the use