Langston Hughes was a famous African American poet during the Harlem Renaissance in the early 20th century. He openly wrote poems about the African American experience and used themes that expressed the joy, struggle, pain, and frustration of Black life. Hughes often faced criticism for his choice to write about ordinary Black people and use Black dialect and jazz/blues influences in his poetry. Some of his most notable poems include "The Weary Blues" and "The Negro Speaks of Rivers." Hughes traveled extensively and spent time living in Harlem, which was a cultural center for Black writers and artists at the time. He was recognized for his writings about Harlem with the title of "Poet Laureate of Harlem."
2. EARLY LIFE LANGSTON HUGHES WAS BORN IN 1902 He was one of the most famous literary figures during the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes openly chose to write poems about African American people. The themes in his poems express the joy, struggle, pain, and frustration of African American life.
3. harlem What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore – And then run? Does it stink like rotten mean? Or crust and sugar over – Like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags Like a heavy load. Or does it explode?
4. Early career Hughes was often criticized for his poetry. He Chose to write about the lives of plain African American people. He used African American dialect in many of his poems and borrowed heavily from the style and rhythm of jazz and blues music.
5. The Weary Blues (Excerpt) Droning a drowsy syncopated tune, Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon, I heard a Negro play. Down on Lenox Avenue the other night By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light He did a lazy sway… He did a lazy sway… To the tune o’ those Weary Blues With his ebony hands on each Ivory key He made that poor piano moan with melody O Blues! Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool. Sweet Blues!
6. travels Hughes traveled extensively. He Visited Mexico, Holland, France, West Africa, and many other cities and countries.
7. The negro speaks of rivers I’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers. I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young. I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep. I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it. I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset. I’ve known rivers: Ancient, dusky rivers. My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
8. In 1921, Hughes moved to New York where he Attended Columbia University. At the time, Harlem was a hotbed for African American Writers, singers, dancers, actors, musicians, Artists, and intellectuals.
9. dreams Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-wing bird That cannot fly Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow
10. Hughes writings about Harlem earned him the title “Poet Laureate of Harlem.” Poet Laureates are recognized for their works which reflect a country or a location.
