Hughes had always been a part of small black communities, to whom he was strongly attached (Black Renaissance Reader 1251). He felt a strong racial pride, although his father, according to Hughes, hated himself for being black, and although Hughes experienced the vilest forms of discrimination (St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture). One incident in Hughes’ childhood shaped his point of view profoundly: During the McCarthy hearings, Hughes reported that his schoolmates stoned him on his way home from school. But one of his schoolmates, a very small, white youth, protected him. He had never forgotten this youngster standing up for him against these other first graders who were throwing stones at him. He goes on to indicate that he had always felt from that time on that there are white people in America who can be an African American’s friend. Hughes also emphasized the fact that he never said anything to create a division among whites or African Americans. For that reason I am of the opinion that Hughes’ poetry never became a bitter undercurrent, but was shaped by both his positive and negative experiences.
According to Karen Jackson Ford, the one thing many readers of “twentieth-century American poetry can say about Langston Hughes is that he has known rivers” (Do right to write right: Langston Hughes′s aesthetics of simplicity). "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" became famous for the elevated, declamatory mood, mythic scale, and compelling cadenced repetitions. But however beautiful the poem’s cadences, it is remembered primarily because it is Hughes′s most frequently anthologized work: "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" is one of Hughes′ most atypical poems, and nonetheless it defined his reputation (Do right to write right: Langston Hughes′s aesthetics of simplicity). In view of the history and experiences that Africans have faced in America, the affirmation by Patricia Liggins Hill that “African American Writing is both a product of, and a response to, its own historical and cultural context” (768) seems to be vital for interpreting Langston Hughes famous poem “The Negro speaks of Rivers”.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The New Negro Movement's impact on Langston Hughes
- Analysis of "The Negro speaks of Rivers"
- The Lyrical “I”
- The motif of the Pyramid
- The Motif of the River
- Transcendence in "The Negro speaks of Rivers"
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze Langston Hughes' poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," focusing on the themes of transcendence and the impact of the New Negro Movement on Hughes' work. The analysis will explore how Hughes' personal experiences and the socio-political context of his time shaped his poetic expression.
- Transcendence and spiritual connection in Hughes' poetry
- The influence of the New Negro Movement on Hughes' artistic development
- The role of personal experience in shaping Hughes' poetic voice
- The exploration of racial identity and pride in "The Negro Speaks of Rivers"
- The use of imagery and symbolism to convey complex themes.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of Langston Hughes' poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers." It introduces Hughes' background, highlighting his strong connection to Black communities, his racial pride, and the significant impact of discriminatory experiences on his perspective. The chapter also previews the poem's significance and its enduring place in American literature, emphasizing its unique characteristics within Hughes' broader body of work and its status as his most frequently anthologized poem. The importance of understanding the historical and cultural context of African American writing in interpreting "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" is also stressed, setting the groundwork for a deeper engagement with the poem's themes and meaning.
The New Negro Movement's impact on Langston Hughes: This chapter examines the socio-political climate of the early 20th century, particularly the influence of the avant-garde movement and the impact of World War I on artistic sensibilities. It discusses the disillusionment felt by many African American soldiers returning from the war and the rise of a new, politically charged artistic expression among African Americans. This chapter implicitly sets the context for understanding the social and artistic environment within which Hughes wrote "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," linking the historical shifts to the themes that will emerge in the analysis of the poem itself.
Keywords
Langston Hughes, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, New Negro Movement, African American literature, transcendence, racial identity, symbolism, imagery, poetry, personal experience, historical context.
Langston Hughes' "The Negro Speaks of Rivers": A Comprehensive Preview - FAQ
What is this document?
This document is a comprehensive preview of an academic analysis of Langston Hughes' poem, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers." It includes a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What topics are covered in the analysis?
The analysis focuses on the themes of transcendence and the impact of the New Negro Movement on Hughes' work. It explores how Hughes' personal experiences and the socio-political context shaped his poetic expression. Specific topics include transcendence and spiritual connection, the influence of the New Negro Movement, the role of personal experience, racial identity and pride, and the use of imagery and symbolism.
What are the key themes of "The Negro Speaks of Rivers"?
Key themes explored in the analysis of "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" include transcendence, racial identity, the impact of historical events, and the power of personal experience to shape artistic expression. The poem's use of imagery and symbolism to convey these complex themes will be examined.
What is the significance of the New Negro Movement in this analysis?
The analysis investigates the significant influence of the New Negro Movement on Langston Hughes' artistic development and its impact on the creation and themes of "The Negro Speaks of Rivers." The socio-political climate of the early 20th century, including the impact of World War I and the rise of a new artistic expression among African Americans, will be explored as context for understanding the poem.
What is included in the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide an overview of the content of each chapter. The introduction sets the stage by introducing Hughes' background and the poem's significance in American literature. A chapter is dedicated to explaining the New Negro Movement's impact on Hughes. The analysis of the poem itself delves into specific aspects such as the lyrical "I", the pyramid motif, and the river motif, further examining themes of transcendence within the poem.
What keywords are associated with this analysis?
Keywords associated with this analysis include Langston Hughes, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, New Negro Movement, African American literature, transcendence, racial identity, symbolism, imagery, poetry, personal experience, and historical context.
What is the overall objective of the analysis?
The overall objective is to provide a thorough analysis of Langston Hughes' poem, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," focusing on its themes and the historical and personal influences that shaped its creation. The aim is to understand the poem's enduring significance within the context of African American literature and the broader cultural landscape.
What specific aspects of the poem are analyzed?
The analysis delves into specific aspects of "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," including the lyrical "I," the motif of the pyramid, and the motif of the river. These elements are examined to illuminate the poem's themes of transcendence and racial identity.
- Quote paper
- Rebecca Rasche (Author), 2006, Transcendence in Langston Hughes' "The Negro Speaks of Rivers", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/62238
