Langston Hughes :: essays research papers fc

Langston HughesLangston Hughes was an black author of the Harlem Renaissance era. Born in Joplin, Missouri, in 1902, Langston Hughes had a rough upbringing because of all the changes that were occurring at the time. A major upset in his career was when his father left to Mexico to continue his studies in law. When Hughes was s even so or eight, he lived with his grandmother who told him stories of important historical African American heroes, such as Frederick Douglas, Sojourner Truth, and she even took him to hear W.E.B. DuBois. Such tales encourage young Langston to do great things in his life as an African-American growing up in a prejudice world. Later on, Langston Hughes heady to move to New York, more specifically, Harlem, New York. Alain Locke, a black writer and educator, described it as, Here in Manhattan is not merely the largest Negro corporation in the world, but the first concentration in history of so many diverse elements of Negro lifeIn Harlem, Negro life is s eizing upon its first chances for group expression and self-determination. (Bernard, p.52) Here he was introduced and alike became, apart of the Harlem Renaissance. New York attracted a large influx of blacks from the West Indies and even Africa. (Bernard, p.53) This can better be called The Great Migration. In Harlem, Langston Hughes was exposed to the console sounds of Jazz and the Blues. Hughes poetry absorbed the rhythms of blues and jazzThe sights and sounds of Harlem, its medicationinspired Langston more than his classes in mining and engineering. (Bernard, p.30) The Weary Blues and saddle horn Player, are two poems that demonstrate that Langston Hughes poetry was influenced by the music of Harlem.In the poem The Weary Blues, Hughes discusses his experience of watching another black artist. The item that he is writing about his observation of a musical artist demonstrates that his poetry is influenced by music. Hughes writes, Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon, I he ard a Negro play. (DY, p.594) Hughes is describing the artists actions at the moment. He describes even where this per physical bodyance is taking place in Harlem, Down on Lenox Avenue the other night. (DY, p.594) Hughes uses the sound of the music, the actions of the artist, and his surroundings in rate to form eloquent poetry. He uses intricate detail about the sounds of the music, in order to help the reader feel as if they are there themselves.