Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance
1. Introduction:
Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, and playwright. He was born in Joplin, Missouri on February 1, 1902, and died of complications from cancer on May 22, 1967. Hughes is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, when he was a central figure in the “New Negro” Movement. His work explored the everyday lives of ordinary black people in America, and sought to promote a sense of African heritage and pride.
2. The Life and Career of Langston Hughes:
Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri on February 1, 1902. His father, James Hughes, was a lawyer and a Republican state legislator who later abandoned his family. His mother, Carrie Hughes, was a schoolteacher. Hughes’ parents divorced when he was young, and he was raised mainly by his maternal grandmother in Lawrence, Kansas.
Hughes began writing poetry at an early age. He moved to Mexico City with his mother in 1918, where he attended high school for a year before returning to the United States. He then enrolled at Columbia University in New York City, but dropped out after one semester.
In 1921, Hughes moved to Harlem, which was then becoming a center for African American culture and art. It was here that he became involved in the “New Negro” Movement, also known as the Harlem Renaissance. He worked as a busboy at the renowned Savoy Ballroom, and frequented other popular jazz clubs on Lenox Avenue, Seventh Street, and South State Street. His first poem, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”, was published in The Crisis magazine in 1921.
Hughes traveled extensively throughout his life. In 1924, he spent several months living in Paris, where he mingled with other African American expatriate artists such as Aaron Douglas and James Weldon Johnson. He also traveled to Africa and Asia; in fact, his travels informed much of his work. For example, his poem “DreamVariations” is based on his experience of watching an Ethiopian sunset while living in Cairo.
3. Major Themes in Langston Hughes’ Work:
Langston Hughes’ work is marked by its focus on the everyday lives of ordinary black people in America. His poems often explore themes of identity, pride in one’s African heritage, and the struggle to achieve success despite racism and discrimination. In addition to poems about specific places like Harlem or Seventh Street, Hughes also wrote about more general topics such as dreams, rivers, mothers and sons. While some critics have accused him of being too simplistic or sentimental, others have praised him for his ability to capture the unique experience of being black in America.
4. Representative Poems by Langston Hughes:
“The Negro Speaks of Rivers”: This poem is one of Langston Hughes’ most famous works. It explores the idea of African heritage and pride by comparing the rivers of Africa to the veins of black people around the world.
“Dream Variations”: This poem is based on Langston Hughes’ experience of watching an Ethiopian sunset while living in Cairo. It explores the theme of dreaming and the longing for a better life.
“Mother to Son”: This poem is about a mother giving advice to her son. It is considered one of Hughes’ most successful poems, due to its powerful use of language and its ability to capture the unique experience of being black in America.
5. critical Evaluation of Langston Hughes’ Work:
Langston Hughes is considered one of the most important authors of the Harlem Renaissance. His work helped to redefine ideas about race and identity in America. While some critics have accused him of being too simplistic or sentimental, others have praised him for his ability to capture the unique experience of being black in America.
6. Conclusion:
Langston Hughes was a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance, and his work helped to redefine ideas about race and identity in America. While some critics have accused him of being too simplistic or sentimental, others have praised him for his ability to capture the unique experience of being black in America.