Langston Hughes’ Parental Roots
James Langston Hughes, who is perhaps better known as the poet Langston Hughes, was born on February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri to James Nathaniel Hughes and Caroline Mercer Langston. His mother was born of free African American parents in the state of Ohio and his father was the son of an Irish merchant. His parents were not married, and separated soon after Langston was born. He was raised by family members in Lawrence, Kansas.
His father had three other children from his previous marriage, who Hughes considered to be siblings. It is believed that he was very close to his step-sister, Alice, who was his oldest step-sister, and just as friendly with his other two step-siblings. This familial relationship is reflected in some of his poems, such as “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” and “Thank You, M’am.”
In addition to the children from his father’s first marriage, Langston’s mother also had three children from her previous marriage: John Mercer Langston, Gertrude Mahan (who later adopted the name Gertrude Talbert), and Carolyn Mahan. Both Carolyn and Gertrude were born in Virginia. His mother’s children always considered Langston to be their sibling. In fact, Gertrude and Langston were very close, and she even acted as a mother figure to him throughout his life.
Langston also had other siblings, including both a sister and a brother, who were born to his mother and father respectively. His sister, first name unknown, died shortly after she was born and his brother, named Jesse B. Hughes, was born when Langston was around two years old. Jesse and Langston were very close, and the two remained close until Jesse’s death in the late 1950’s. Their parents went on to have five more children, but all but two of them died before the age of four.
Langston’s Step Mother
Langston’s father, James Nathaniel Hughes, eventually remarried and his wife, Mary Patterson, was like a mother to Langston. She welcomed him into their home with open arms, and he referred to her as his “step-mother.” Mary was an excellent cook and this brought a whole new level of delight to Langston’s life. He would often say that he was the only one in the house who could eat her cooking without ending up with an upset stomach. Mary was always very supportive and allowed Langston to pursue his literary dreams.
Mary’s influence was also seen in some of Hughes’ work. One of his most famous poems, “Mother to Son,” was likely inspired by her. The poem is written in the voice of a mother who is counselling her son to not be discouraged by life’s difficulties and to keep going. The line “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair” is a line that Hughes stole from Mary, who was quite fond of saying it.
Langston would often refer to Mary as his “second mother” and called her one of the most influential persons in his life. He has also referred to her in his writings, and her influence can be seen in his plays, short stories, and novels. In his autobiography (The Big Sea), Langston revealed that he felt just as loved and accepted by Mary as he did by his own mother, and the two remained close until her death in 1934.
Langston’s Writing
Langston Hughes was an American poet and playwright who wrote extensively about African-American culture, racism, and the struggle of black people living in the United States. He is remembered as one of the greatest poets of the Harlem Renaissance, and his work remains an inspiration to many. Many of his poems, such as “Dream Boogie” and “The Weary Blues” are considered classics of American literature.
Hughes’ poetry is often inspired by his own family, and his siblings in particular. In many of his poems, he recalls memories of his step-siblings and the happy times they shared growing up. This includes lines from his poem “Harlem Shadows,” which describes the joy of siblinghood, and “Uncle Sam and The Landlord,” which is about his step-siblings’ experiences with racism.
Moreover, in his later works, Hughes wrote about his step-mother and other members of his blended family. He also wrote about his half-brothers, who he was incredibly close to, recalls his mother and his childhood in his book The Big Sea, and even wrote a poem in dedication to his step-mother, Mary Hughes.
Legacy Of Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes was a greatly influential poet, playwright, and author, as well as an important figure of the Harlem Renaissance, who is still recognized today for his influence on the African-American experience. His work is celebrated not only for its poignant themes, but also for its frankness, honesty, and accessibility. Langston Hughes’ siblings and extended family helped shape not only his work, but also his outlook on life.
In his lifetime, Hughes was the subject of numerous awards and honors, including the Spingarn Medal, the Anisfield-Wolf Award for Race Relations, and the Robert Frost Medal. He also received several honorary degrees from prestigious universities, including Yale and Harvard, as well as an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Lincoln University of Missouri, which was granted posthumously.
After his death, the Langston Hughes Society was set up in his honor, to continue the legacy of his work. In addition, the Langston Hughes Award was established to recognize outstanding African American authors and poets, and the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center was dedicated to the memory of Hughes and his contributions to literature.
Langston Hughes’ Relationships
Langston Hughes was very close to his half-siblings. They all wrote to each other during the Great Migration, when black people were leaving the South in droves to find work in the North. The letters reveal a close bond between the siblings; Hughes was obviously supportive of his extended family and his half-siblings often sought his advice and guidance. Langston also had many cousins, and he spent a lot of time with them growing up.
Langston Hughes kept in touch with his brothers, his step-parents and step-siblings, and all of his extended family throughout his life. His poems and writings reflect this connection with his kin, and he often drew upon his own family experiences when crafting stories and poetry. His strong connection to his siblings and extended family likely helped shape his compassionate and caring outlook, as well as his deep commitment to social justice.
Hughes’ Relationship With His Mother
Langston’s relationship with his mother, Caroline Mercer Langston, was a complicated one. She worked a lot and was often away for long periods of time, so Hughes was mostly raised by his aunt, Mary Langston. His mother did visit, however, and their relationship was quite strong. In his autobiography, Hughes wrote that his mother was his first example of fearless blackness. Hughes admired her strength and courage, and this is evident in a number of poems he wrote about her.
Apart from writing, Langston also felt close to his mother because he was always able to talk to her and express his thoughts. It is clear that she was a strong influence on him, and her presence in his life is seen in a great deal of his work. He also always sought her opinion and wanted to please her. She was the one person Hughes wanted respect from, and this is evident throughout his life.
Caroline Mercer Langston’s Legacy
Langston’s mother, Caroline Mercer Langston, is remembered today as a hero and pioneer of African American civil rights. She was a powerful force for equality and justice in her lifetime, and she made many contributions to the civil rights movement, including founding the first black chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, working to ensure African American women had access to education, and participating in relief efforts during the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.
Caroline Mercer Langston was an influential figure in her own right and her legacy lives on through her son’s work. Her commitment to civil rights was an inspiration to her son, and she was the one who instilled in him the idea of a black platform for the rights and welfare of African Americans. Her influence was also seen in Langston’s later works, as he often drew upon his family experiences to deal with deeper questions of race and justice.
Langston Hughes’ Place In History
Langston Hughes is remembered today as one of the most important African American writers of all time. His work has been translated into many languages, and he is remembered as a champion of civil rights, whose words have had a lasting impact on generations of readers. Through his poetry and works of literature, Hughes was able to capture the African American experience and make it accessible to a wider audience.
Hughes was an important figure during the Harlem Renaissance, for his work sought to uplift and empower African-Americans. He was a powerful spokesman for civil rights, and his work was revolutionary in its depiction of the African-American struggle for equality. His writings are still celebrated and remembered today, not just for their brilliance, but for the strength of feeling behind them. Hughes managed to capture the spirit of African-American life in his writing, and this is what makes his work timeless.
Hughes’ Symbolic Impact
Langston Hughes’ work has been used as a tool to inspire and empower African-Americans. His words have been used to encourage change and to challenge racism and injustice. Many of his works, including his most famous poem, “Dream Boogie” and his novel Not without Laughter, have become symbols of the African-American struggle for civil rights. The poem encourages the reader to continue striving for their dreams despite the obstacles they may face.
Hughes’ writings have been used as a form of protest and empowerment, and his words remain just as relevant today as when they were written. His work has, and continues to, galvanize people all around the world, and is a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right even in the face of adversity. Langston Hughes’ work has not only inspired generations of African-Americans, but other people of color who continue to fight for equality and justice.
