How Did Langston Hughes Become Famous?
Langston Hughes was an African-American writer, poet, and playwright best known for his literature in the Harlem Renaissance era of the 1920s and 1930s. His notable works include the autobiographical novel Not Without Laughter and the poem I, Too. Hughes’s writings encompass many aspects of black life and have made him famed throughout the world. This article will explain how Langston Hughes became famous.
Early Life and Education
Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri, to James Nathaniel Hughes and Carrie Merriam Langston. His father left the family when Hughes was only a young boy. At the age of thirteen, Hughes wrote his first poem, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, which was published in 1921. After graduating from high school in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1920, Hughes moved to New York City to attend Columbia University. He dropped out, however, to pursue writing full time.
Harlem Renaissance
In the 1920s, an influx of African-American writers, musicians, and artists known as the Harlem Renaissance, or “New Negro Movement”, filled the streets of the predominantly black district in New York. The movement brought literary and cultural works that expressed the struggles, joys, and realities of black life. Hughes’s writing embodied the movement and furthered its theme of black pride. In 1925, his poem The Weary Blues was published in The Crisis, the magazine of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). This and other works garnered Hughes increasing recognition and attention, making him one of the most prominent figures of the Harlem Renaissance.
Poetry and Plays
Hughes wrote poetry, plays, essays and short stories, often with themes related to the African American experience. His 1935 collection The Negro Mother and Other Dramatic Recitations featured an array of poems paying homage to generations of strong black women and called attention to their economic and political empowerment. He wrote other poems that discussed difficult topics such as racial inequality and poverty, though he also wrote humorous poems, jazz lyrics, and librettos for Broadway and opera productions.
Final Works
In the late 1950s and 1960s, Hughes’s health deteriorated due to several heart attacks and prostate cancer. He was hospitalized for much of his final year and died in 1967 at the age of sixty-five in New York. His final works before his death include an autobiography, The Big Sea, published in 1940, and The Panther and the Lash, a collection of poetry released in 1967 to commemorate the centenary of his birth.
Legacy
Langston Hughes was a pioneering figure in literature as he celebrated African American heritage in ways it had not been previously explored. He is regarded as one of the most influential figures of the Harlem Renaissance and a preeminent figure in modern American literature. In 2004, Hughes was inducted into the New York Writers Hall of Fame and a year later received the posthumous National Medal of Arts. Many universities and schools in the US have named buildings and scholars after him, and numerous celebrations across the US commemorate his birthday.
Activism
In addition to being a celebrated figure of literature, Langston Hughes was a social activist and champion of equality. In 1931, his poem Let America Be America Again, a response to President Herbert Hoover’s promises of economic recovery, highlighted the plight of working class Americans and resonated with the nation’s population. That same year, Hughes traveled to Moscow with a friend, dancer Asadata Dafora, to participate in the first American Negro Theater. He discussed racism and worker’s power during his visits to the Soviet Union and became a leading figure of the international left.
Throughout his career, Langston Hughes remained a fierce advocate of civil rights and human justice. In his writing, he provided a voice to those without one and highlighted the issues and struggles of the working class. His influence can be seen in the works of many African American writers today, including Toni Morrison and Richard Wright, among others.
Rise to Fame
Langston Hughes rose to fame due to his prolific writing body, which included both poems and plays. His messages of empowerment and his celebration of African American heritage resonated with his readers and listeners across the world. Through his work, Hughes addressed various issues and injustices being committed against the African American population. He used his writing to deliver a powerful message of racial pride and self-determination. Thus, many consider Hughes to be one of the most influential African American writers in history, and his works remain popular even today.
Influence on Younger Generations
The influence of Langston Hughes can still be felt in modern culture. His writing has been a source of inspiration for many of today’s writers and a encouragement to fight for social justice. His poems educate younger generations of the turmoil and issues African Americans faced and still face today. His legacy has served as a reminder that literature has a lasting impact in our society and can be used as a powerful tool to make a difference in the world.
Thematic Analysis
Throughout his writing, Langston Hughes emphasized the need for racial equality and justice for all people. His work is heavily focused on the negative treatment of African Americans, and how society has wronged them. He explores themes of racism, poverty, and classism, often with a focus on how societal issues have affected African Americans throughout history. This focus allows Hughes to explore how African Americans have fought for justice and equality, even in the face of adversity.
Public Reception
Though Langston Hughes had to face much criticism and obstacles through his career, such as declining book sales and censorship of certain works, he was widely accepted and appreciated by the public. His works resonated with audiences across the globe and encourage people to work towards proper treatment for African Americans. Multiple establishments, awards, and accolades were established in his name to recognize his contribution to literature and social justice.
Preservation of His Legacy
Given his significant impact, his works and legacy are still remembered today. Schools, libraries, and organizations in many countries continue to host annual celebrations for him and his works. His poem The Negro Speaks of Rivers can still be found in many school English classes. Multiple museums are dedicated to preserving his work and educating younger generations of his importance. To this day, Langston Hughes continues to enjoy a universal recognition and remain a powerful force of inspiration for many.
