In the poem “Let American Be America Again” by Langston Hughes, the author portrays America as a place where people try to escape their old life of oppression and struggles to this so called “American Dream”. But, what they find is “the same old stupid plan of dog eat dog”. Hughes sees that American is being seen as a ideal utopia while he actually views America as a place where there are too many obstacles in the way to achieve the American Dream. The dream is only stood in the way by the obstacles we create. For the dream to come true, change must happen.…
Dreams change whether we want them to or not, but how might dreams change if they are ignored? Langston Hughes describes a dream deferred in his poem, "Harlem: A Dream Deferred", "What happens to a dream deferred?”; “Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?" He compares a dream deferred to various concepts. In connection to the play, written by Lorraine Hansberry, "A Raisin in the Sun" the Younger family, an impecunious African-American family, struggle in achieving their dreams, having to postpone them. Although the Younger family each face the same challenge, character Walter Younger is unalike the rest as his dreams deferred impact his personality and his actions. I argue that Walter Younger best illustrates the central theme of Hughes’…
Langston Hughes, poem, Let America Be America Again, captivated my attention due to my current pursuit in American history; presently I am taking US History II. The diction of this poem is simplistic, allowing the reader to cognitively grasp the historical importance and theme. Hughes, suggest to the readers that the America that is held to such high esteem is merely an idyllic dream still awaiting realization; however, fulfilment of the true American dream must become an actuality to all citizens, not just the privileged few.…
The pity and boldness in the voice of the narrator in, “Let America Be America Again” is easily noticed by the reader of the poem. Hughes feel that African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, and Asians all deserve the same opportunity to the live the American Dream just like the Caucasian-Americans but instead the minorities always get the “short end of the stick”, even though they put in the same or greater efforts. Lines…
America is the land of the free but lately it doesn’t seem like it. With all the police brutality and the rasict comments by the President of The United States and his followers. In a poem written by Langston Hughes called “ Let America be America Again” it talks about how America is not free for everyone. So Langston Hughes poem relates to modern America because people are still judged by skin color, social class and people would do anything for money. Today people are still doing what ever it takes to make money.…
Hughes’ writings generally focused on African-Americans and the opportunities that they deserved to have. In “Let America be America Again”, Hughes believes “there’s never been equality for me, nor freedom in this homeland of the free” (Hughes 14-15) and if he did not do anything to try and change that then he failed the goal that he set. America as a country was created on the basis that all men shall be equal, however African-Americans did not share that right. In the same poem, Hughes said that he wanted for the people to “Let America be America again / Let it be the dream it used to be.” (Hughes…
The Harlem Renaissance is known for many unique objectives, but one of the most important objectives that it was well known for is how many wonderful artists’ and writers came about during that time period. One of the most famous writers or what many consider a “prolific and versatile writer” (Beckman 65) was Langston Hughes. Langston Hughes was an American poet, novelist, and play writer whose African-American themes made him a primary contributor to the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s” (“Langston Hughes Bio.”). Hughes was born February 1, 1902, In Joplin Missouri and sadly died May 22, 1967. During his time he first started off writing about ordinary African Americans. He was said to be a “Major creative force in the Harlem Renaissance”…
In “Let America be America Again”, Langston Hughes speaks on his opinions of the American Dream. Throughout the poem, Hughes compares his hopes and dreams for America with the reality of life for those outside of certain cultural, religious, and societal groups. This is a dramatic and diverse poem, fluctuating from peaceful moments to angry explosions. The author starts by mentioning of the key vision of America, where there is the hope for liberty and equality. Yet for the oppressed races, American life has been one of persecution. Writing now in the first person, the author empathizes with all struggling Americans, "I am the farmer/ the worker/ the Negro/ I am the people." With the gift of optimism, the writer urges "We, the people, must reclaim the land/ and make America again!"…
The Harlem Renaissance is an artistic and literary movement that centers in Harlem, New York from the 1919 to the mid-1930s. During this period of time Harlem became the cultural center for African pride and heritage, bringing together African-American writers, artists, poets, musicians, and scholars throughout the nation.…
The Key to the American Dream The American dream is the idea that a better life can be achieved for oneself through hard work and a vision for what you want. Everyone is free to do as they wish and has an equal chance of achieving their dream. For decades, people from all around the world have come to this land of opportunity to pursue their dreams and ambitions. Even people who grew up with the amenities America has to offer have created their own fantasies of what they want their futures to become.…
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.…
Unfortunately, themes of racism and prejudice seem to be all too common when one thinks of American history. These negative connotations stem from the United States involvement in slavery and then issues with African-American civil rights that reached an apex in the 1950s and 1960s. Still, these historical issues still affect by many Americans today. An example of this cultural situation in America, and how it has affected African Americans, can be found in Langston Hughes ' poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers." The poem is a self stated eulogy regarding an African American 's feelings about his self and his ancestry, and how this rich ancient heritage exists within himself and all other modern African descended individuals. This paper analyzes and interprets "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" in an attempt to understand what Langston Hughes was trying to convey in the poem.…
Langston Hughes began writing in high school, and even at this early age was developing the voice that made him famous. High school teacher and classmates recognized Hughes writing talent, and Hughes had his first pieces of verse published in the…
Claude McKay and Langston Hughes are African American writers from the same time period in America’s literary history. Their writing details similar themes concerning the experiences of African-Americans during the 20th century. In class we analyzed poetry written by both authors. “America” by Claude McKay is similar to that of Langston Hughes’s poem “I, Too.” Both authors construct their poems from the perspective of an African American man who has little freedom. Despite the similar theme, the authors take different approaches in their writing. The similar theme throughout the poetry is the difficulty African Americans face. Hughes is quick to provide the idea of hope unlike McKay, who alludes in the negative. McKay sticks with a negative…
Throughout the poem, Hughes places contrasting phrases, similar to a paradox, alongside one another. With this technique, he hints at his hopes for a better America unlike the one that is currently taking place around him. Diction is used in the telling of the poem, to establish a dramatic element of dialogue that is felt at times when a different voice jumps in or proclamations are made.The poem begins with Hughes' statement “ Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be..” of letting America be the America it once was. Yet, points out that this version of America is nonexistent, rather has always been a place of slavery, poverty, oppression, lies, and “immigrant clutching the hope” they seek.…