Analysis Of Langston Hughes And His Views On Early 20th...

Connor Gamble Mrs. Carson AP Literature 7 December 2016 Langston Hughes and His Views on Early 20th-Century African American Society When African American slaves were released from slavery following the American Civil War, the ethnic group was now able to control their own lives, and the U.S had to acknowledge their freedoms and rights as American citizens. However, despite bold beliefs from the war, many white Americans still continued to deny equality to those of color. In addition, African Americans had not expressed their true potential as a cultural and ethnic group. Many years of growing racial tension revolving around civil rights and segregation passed before laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1965 heavily limited the segregation and racism of the country (Alvah). However, this period of hostility helped develop the African American society into a wide, more approachable culture with variety. The Harlem Renaissance, a period of cultural growth and popularity of the African American culture, showcased the different talents and tr aits African Americans valued as a community. More importantly, it allowed African Americans to express their struggles and desires for acceptance as American citizens. One poet, Langston Hughes, used his poetry to help define and develop this cultural era, and show the various identities of the African American society. Langston Hughes displayed the unprecedented identities of African Americans in the early 20th century by embodying theShow MoreRelatedLangston Hughes The Weary Blues Analysis1256 Words   |  6 PagesOn Langston Hughes’s The Weary Blues Kevin Young, a graduate of Harvard University and one of the winners of the Guggenheim Fellowship, writes the historical perspective of Langston Hughes. He discusses the flowering of the African American literature and culture and how it is actually just the extension of the New Negro movement. From the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes is able to represent â€Å"different things† for â€Å"different men.† The uprising of Hughes’s poems are the result of their hardshipsRead MoreAnalysis Of Langston Hughes s Poem I, Too978 Words   |  4 Pages Langston Hughes America, the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity traditionally held to be available to every American. This is what everyone was told, what the Declaration of Independence states. But, Langston Hughes a black American poet in the Harlem Renaissance period saw the truth. Being an African American in the United States during the early 1900’s was difficult. Many lived a life full of hardships; segregation, prejudice and economic hardships, viewed as second-class citizensRead MoreLangston Hughes : A Modernist1222 Words   |  5 Pages2017 Langston Hughes: A Modernist Credited as being the most recognizable figure of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes played a vital role in the Modernist literary movement and the movement to revitalize African American culture in the early 20th century. Hughes’s poems reflect his personal struggle and the collective struggle of African Americans during this cultural revival. Langston Hughes’s life contained key influences on his work. As a child, Hughes witnessed a divorce between his parentsRead MoreExploring the Symbolism and Historical Allusions in Langston Hughes The Negro Speaks of Rivers1311 Words   |  5 Pagesallusions in Langston Hughess The Negro Speaks of Rivers, I hoped to trace the different elements that influenced Hughes and how he viewed himself within the world and society. In the process of examining the poem and beginning to create a structure, I had to not only look at the superficial meaning of what Hughes was saying, but also look for alternative meanings of what he said. Additionally, I had to tie in my knowledge of history and society, which helped me to better understand Hughes and whatRead MoreChildrens Literature13219 Words   |  53 Pages1. Introduction 3 2. Early History 6 The Greek and Roman Eras: 50 B.C.-A.D. 500 6 The Middle Ages: 500-1500 6 The Renaissance: 1500-1650 7 The Rise of Puritanism and John Locke: Late 1600s 8 3. Beginning of Children’s Literature: Late 1700s 10 4. Fairy and Folk Tales 12 The Golden Age of Children’s Literature: Late 1800s 12 5. Victorian Childrens Literature 16 6. Contemporary Childrens Literature 18 6. Analysis of Harry Potters’ series 21 7. Conclusion 30 8. Summary 31 Children’s Literature Definitions