James Langston Hughes Essay

The poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes, is about Mother who uses stairs as a metaphor for the long climb through the daily struggles of life to her son. The primary theme of the poem is struggles of life and never giving up. With these themes Langston Hughes can tell a story about the mother will using a metaphor that anyone can understand and relate to. The symbolism in the story are while obvious are still effective at getting the themes and imagery across. The splinters torn up boards tacks

or help from the person who they are stealing from. In the short story “Thank You M’am” by Langston Hughes, describes two strangers, Mrs. Jones and Roger, crashing into one another and how they help one another. The story takes place during the Great Depression in the streets of Harlem, New York. Both characters show traits that stand out in the story. In the short story “Thank You M’am” by Langston Hughes, Mrs. Jones is firm, motherly, and wise and teaches Roger to never steal. Mrs. Jones is a

The Harlem Renaissance was one of the greatest times of artistic expression for African Americans in American history. The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem between the end of World War I and the middle of the 1930s. During the time it was known as the "New Negro Movement" named after the 1925 anthology by Alain Locke. Locke wrote many famous works that focused on African and African American identity. He published The New Negro in 1925 which

There are many themes present in the short story “Thank You Ma’am” by Langston Hughes. But I believe that the main theme is forgiveness. I think that the main theme is forgiveness, because it connects with many of the other themes such as empathy and dignity. It is also an important part of human nature. The story starts out with a boy named Roger trying to steal a purse that belongs to Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. It goes downhill for Roger, once Mrs Luella fights back, and takes him to her

Thank You Ma’am Interpretive Response In the short story “Thank You Ma’am” by Langston Hughes, Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones’s purse because he wants to buy blue suede shoes. She takes him to her house where she feeds him supper and teaches him a lesson. The reason Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones takes Roger home is that he reminds her of her own childhood, so she wants to teach him a lesson so he will have a better life than the one she had. The first sign of this is when she confesses that

techniques does Hughes’s use to make it realistic? Hughes uses metaphors to compare the children to young lambs. Hughes also uses strong language to describe the five senses so fully that I can picture the moment in my mind. Why does Hughes spend time talking now about Westley? How is young Langston different from this boy? Westley is the other boy that wasn't saved by Jesus. Westley then got up, took God’s name in vain, and lied in church. Langston was shocked that

During the Harlem Renaissance, many modernist poets arose and addressed topics revolving around racism, unequivocal rights, and African American identity. One such poet was Langston Hughes, who wrote “Dream Variations.” Similar to many Harlem Renaissance poets, the speaker in “Dream Variations” celebrates African American culture and identity, but also expresses his desire for a world where he can celebrate freely without racial discrimination. This is revealed through incorporation of a jazz-like

Horace Tapscott was a powerful pianist with avant-garde leanings and a father figure to several of Los Angeles based play jazz players. During the 1960’s, Tapscott saw the linked between politics and aesthetics; hence, it gave the Watt’s Riots a response by offering an affirmation5. Such was the power of Horace Tapscott’s music as it roamed the topography of African-American culture that it described the racism against a people in a brutal and unexpurgated way. But more than anything, more than the

people. In Langston Hughes “Dreams” the tone of the poem is gloomy. He talks about how hard life is being black and without dreaming there would be no point in life. On the other hand, a memoir “How it Feels To Be Colored Me” by Zora Neale is enthusiastic and joyful. She is happy to be black and does not care about what others might think. In Langston Hughes poem he talks about the negative side to life when being colored. He states, “Life is a broken-winged bird, that cannot fly.” (Hughes) This quote

accomplish. Some know what it is instantly and some take time to realize what they want to do. But not everyone will achieve their dreams and some, because of sad circumstances lose their grip on their dream and fall into a state of disappointment. Langston Hughes poem relates to the dreams of Mama, Ruth, and Walter in Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun.      Ruth has to listen to Walter’s extravagant dreams of being rich and powerful all the time and know that these