Langston Hughes Poetry Analysis

Personally for me , I felt more similarly to the Langston Hughes essay. The era the essay is written from might be another reason since it is more modern and easier to relate. Compared to the Gates essay it was easier to wrap my head around it. I was able to dissect the essay and see the true meaning you could say. The wording Huge used was also more modern and easier to understand.
From my point of view I felt Hughes put more of his focus on the importance of culture. He wanted the present day african-americans to be proud of their culture. For one he states numerous times where he has witnessed people denying their own racial identity. We hear about this when he tells us about a time a young poet told him “I want to be a poet--not a negro poet”(para 1). As we read on we …show more content…
A big dividing factor where the time periods in which they took place. In one era we are discussing Phillis Wheatley's accomplishments and struggles well in the other essay we are discussing more of a time period around the 40’s - 50’s. Also in the Hughes essay his focal point wasn’t mainly Phillis Wheatley unlike the Gates essay. He revolved more on the issue of african-americans losing their authenticity. I felt that Hughes wondered if Wheatley truly felt contempt with her identity. He does not directly address this but this is what I was able to infer. One of the main reason I agreed with Hughes was mainly for his views on culture. I would have to say that it is a big part of our identity and we must honor it to be who we truly are. He brought light to the topic of racism that most would just look away at given his era. Another aspect you would be able to view this from would have to be how empowering many of his words came across as. The essay gave off a feeling of empowerment somewhat like to reach your full potential you must acknowledge this aspect of yourself. That was mainly the reason why I felt more pulled to Hughes