Abstract

Langston Hughes was raised by his grandmother after the separation of his parents. His initial poetry reflected personal tales of slavery, valor and heroism. Hughes popularized the proud tradition and uplifting legacy of his race via his poetry. He was a renaissance man in nearly every aspect of his life. He helped launch the Harlem Renaissance movement and from that day onwards, his name has become synonymous with the movement. This paper traces Hughes life, creative development from his early years of seclusion and events in life which cultivated his independence, to his prolific life as a poet, playwright, lyricist, and journalist. Recounted are the critical developments in his literary career, with all its struggles and rewards and the main factors that influenced his poetry.

Table of Contents

Abstracti

Introduction1

Life as a Poet1

Common Theme of Langston Hughes' Work3

Events that Influenced his Poetry4

Influence of Black American Culture5

Reflection of Hughes' Thoughts in his Poetry7

The Negro Speaks of River7

Mother to Son7

Freedom's Plow8

Harlem9

Langston Hughes in Today's Literature9

Conclusion10

Works Cited12

Langston Hughes

Introduction

Langston Hughes, born on February 1, 1902, is a twentieth century poet, playwright, novelist and columnist of American. He is famous mainly for his involvement in the cultural movement that rocked Harlem in the 1920's; more commonly known as the Harlem Renaissance. His full name is James Mercer Langston Hughes. He was born in Joplin and was the son of James Nathaniel Hughes and Carrie Langston Hughes. His father left his mother and went to Cuba, and then to Mexico because of the widespread racism in the United States of America. After this separation, Hughes started living with his grandmother, Mary Langston, as his mother and teacher. His grandmother had a tremendous influence on Hughes life. She entailed him about the oral traditions of African Americans that made him feel proud of his race. James Langston Hughes was a great African American poet who persistently fought against racialism. His contribution, especially the Harlem Renaissance, will always be remembered as he played a major role in strengthening black consciousness and racial pride among the black people in America (Hoena, p. 28).

Life as a Poet

Langston Hughes was still a high school student when he started writing poetry. He sent numerous compositions to The Crisis, an African American magazine. One of them, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," was published in 1921. Readers appreciated his work so much that the magazine started publishing more of his poems.

Hughes went to Africa and France after living for some time in New York City's Harlem neighborhood. He discovered his dream of Paris in France. This is the place of which every young poet dreamed of. He mingled the rhythms of jazz with the rhythm of words and sent his poems to New York. A magazine bought his three poems for USD 24.50. It was Hughes first earning as a writer.

He went back to Harlem when he became a popular figure in the Harlem Renaissance. The beginning of his fame was at the time when the popular white poet, Vachel Lindsay, read his ...