Essay on Lanston hughes comparison of two poems

Upon first glance the differences between Hughes and Cullen seem very clear. Hughes writes in rhythm, while Cullens writes in rhyme, but those are just the stylistic differences. Hughes and Cullen may write poems in a different style but they both write about similar themes. The time they wrote in was during the Harlem Renaissance, a time period when African Americans were discovering their heritage and trying to become accepted in the once white dominated society. The African Americans had their own cultures and their own style of music and writing but they wanted everyone to know they were still human, that they were still American, even though the differences in color were

The two poems by Langston Hughes “Theme for English B” and “ I, Too” both identify racism that permeates all stations of life. In both texts, Hughes represents the two speakers as African Americans and identifies how one tries to elevate himself through education and the other individual remains trapped at a lower station. In the poem “Theme for English B” skin colour and all that it represents emerges when the speaker searches for his identity as well as what is the truth about his abilities. The speaker expresses his view in how he deals with his white counterparts (the instructor). “I, Too” centers on the idea of racial oppression, looking at how whites do not recognize blacks as equals and how this affects the individual. Yet the texts attempt to show the basic human similarities between African Americans and white people despite their perceived differences and societal segregation. The two speakers within the poems struggle with their own self-worth in relation to their colour. The similarity between the two speakers is that they approach their issues confident in their capabilities and futures. The two speakers differ in that they appear to have different stations in life; servitude versus achieving higher education, yet both struggle with self-worth.

Both Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman are regarded as some of the finest poets in a long list of excellent American poets. Hughes, a poet during the Harlem Renaissance era of American poetry, often wrote of the struggles of African Americans in his poetry. A common theme of Harlem Renaissance poetry was discussing the struggles and advancements of African Americans in terms of social justice. Walt Whitman wrote his poetry in the period of transition from transcendentalism and realism. His works can be seen to incorporate elements of both styles. Walt Whitman was also a humanist, and this can also be readily seen in his many works. Both Langston Hughes’ “Let America Be America Again” and Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” tackle the idea of oneself within a larger collective group. However, Hughes speaks from the African American viewpoint at the time. Hughes relies on more specific imagery, while Whitman incorporates imagery that is more generalized. Each of the authors uses imagery in similar yet individually effective ways, covers a similar theme with respective viewpoints, and uses different tones to cover how an individual effectively fits into a collective.

Poetry allows for individuals to express themselves creatively through language and emotion. Kelly J. Mays describes in The Norton Introduction to Literature, that poetry is patterned arrangements of language to generate “rhythm” and thereby expressing and evoking specific “emotions” or “feelings” (847). When viewing “I wondered lonely as a cloud” by William Wordsworth and “Divorce” by Billy Collins it is plain to see that both writers were introducing their readers to their emotional status of the settings, theme and tone of their writings. Although different in the feelings and emotions, both authors inflict an emotional arousal to the reader.

Throughout the poem, the author chooses simple diction. This makes the tone straightforward and blunt, like a black America who simply expresses himself instead of sermonizing about discrimination. Thereby, readers can accept the poem’s argument more easily. Furthermore, the author writes the poem mostly in long sentences to emphasize on short yet important sentences such as “That’s America.”, “Be we are. That’s true!”

America is known to be the country of liberty. The definition of Liberty is simply the reason America was created; it is a place where everyone is treated equal with hopes of achieving their American dream. As a result, many people dream of coming to live in the wonderful country known for its freedom. However, America does not seem to hold that value as it used to. In the poem “Let America Be America Again”, the poet Langston Hughes expresses his disappointment with the country. The poem was written in 1935 where discrimination and inequality still exist. In the poem “Let America Be America Again”, the poet Langston Hughes uses repetition and alliteration in order to show desirement for a better country and disappointment of the country America came to be, and also imagery in order to exemplify the struggles of those who came to live in country they thought was dream.

In Langston Hughes poem “Let America be America Again” he talks about how America should return to the way that it was perceived to be in the dreams before America was truly America. Throughout the poem he uses various methods to evoke the patriotic images and dreams that he feels America should and will eventually be. Hughes states that America is supposed to be a place of equality for everyone including both white and colored people. During this period in time though there was not equality for everyone. Hughes talks about an America where both whites and colored people will have equality in all aspects socially, politically, and economically. What Hughes is saying is that both whites and colored

Langston Hughes clearly connects with a wide range of audiences through the simplicity that surrounds his poetry. The beauty of this manner in which he wrote his poetry, is that it grasp people by illustrating his narratives of the common lifestyles experienced by the current American generation. His art form expresses certain questionable ideologies of life and exposes to the audience what it takes to fully comprehend what being an American truly means. Each individual poem describes and illustrates the strength and hardships the African American community was experiencing. Through his literature art form of poetry, Hughes was able to convey the common assertions of

Hughes' parents split up soon after his birth. His father left for Mexico and Hughes was primarily raised by his grandmother until her death. This situation of Hughes being separated from his parents, then the death of his grandmother in his late teens influenced his writing. After the death of his grandmother, Hughes moved with his mother to Cleveland, Ohio. There, he was introduced to poetry.

A difference in the two poets definitely comes into play when we look at of the speakers in these poems. Hughes’ persona is that of a black male looking back on how the black race was treated badly, but he is expressing the beauty in their struggle. Hughes talks about why black Americans should achieve their goals, “On the Cultural Achievements of African Americans”

“James Mercer Langston Hughes, known as Langston Hughes was born February 2, 1902 in Missouri, to Carrie Hughes and James Hughes.” Years later his parents separated. Langston’s father moved to Mexico and became very successful, as his for mother, she moved frequently to find better jobs. As a child growing up Langston spent most of his childhood living with his grandmother named Mary Langston in Lawrence, Kansas. Mary Langston was a learned women and a participant in the civil rights Movement. When Langston Hughes was 12 years old his grandmother passed away. Langston then moved in with his mother and stepfather Homer Clark. A few months later, Langston’s mother sent him to live with her mother’s friend “Auntie” and Mr. Reed. In 1915

Langston Hughes’ life impacted his work. He was a poet, playwright, and novelist. He was from Joplin, Missouri. Hughes was born on February 1st in 1902(www.biography.com). Both of Langston’s parents were slaves (www.biography.com). His mom, Carrie Langston Hughes, was a teacher. Hughes’ dad was James Hughes, an aspiring lawyer. His dad left his family, divorced his wife, and moved to Mexico. Langston Hughes then moved with his grandmother, who raised him. He lived with her until he was around 13 years old(www.biography.com). When she died, he moved back with his mom and her new husband. They eventually settled in Cleveland, Ohio.

Poetry allows us to view separate ideas, thoughts, or concepts in several various ways. The specific way any poem is written can inscribe a sense of joy, sadness, or even frustration within the reader. As Stephen Burt is able to describe, the way any given person conveys any written or spoken language comes across differently from person to person. In fact, the patterns of words, imagery, or rhyme, can greatly affect the course of certain poem and how others decided to view the poem. Additionally, the perception of any written work can differ between people due to one person’s past or structured ideals. There are several reasons one may write poetry, according to Burt, whether it is to express one’s anger with the world’s current society, to

He used the power of his poems to express his philosophies of the current American social, political, and economic conditions that would often time be antagonized if it came from a common African American. In, “Let America Be America Again” he attacks his point regarding economic and political statuses, explaining contradictory statements of America in context to real and diverse audiences. Most often his work incorporates an aspect of his development earlier on in life, ranging from

Poetry finds its most memorable moments in its least characterized elements. It is in the words that are not on the paper or spoken that poetry shines over other forms of communication. The quality and depth of implications in a poem are what separate good from great. It is in the ability to say so much by purposely not saying anything that makes poetry stand out in an observer’s mind. Things left incomplete or unsaid naturally stick out in people’s minds as there is a want to see the full image or completed thought. Leaving it open for interpretation not only promotes greater attention to other details in the piece in order to make sense of that which is left unsaid, but also naturally promotes discussion and the addition of multiple