The Meaning Behind the Name
Langston Hughes was born James Mercer Langston Hughes in 1902 and is widely known as an American poet, novelist, playwright, and social activist. His works are renowned for their honesty and insight into life’s struggles as a black man in the 1930s and 1940s, and his influential writing helped shape the Harlem Renaissance. In order to appreciate Hughes’ life, it is important to first understand the meaning behind his name and the cultural significance that it provides.
The first part of his name, Langston, carries important meanings. In Old English, the word “lang” means “long” and “Stan” means “stone”. Therefore, when combined together, Langston can represent a strong, steadfast individual. Moreover, the name Langston is believed to have been derived from the Old Norse name meaning “light of the shield”, and is related to the Germanic name Ludwig. In the African-American community, the name Langston is often associated with a strong leader and an advocate of change and progress.
The second part of his name, Hughes, is derived from the Welsh and Irish name Hugh, meaning “spirit” and “mind”. This was likely related to Hughes’ ambition to create inspiring and challenging literature, which pushed readers to think critically and open their minds. As the author of numerous short stories, novels, and plays, Hughes’ writing certainly provoked meaningful conversations on the timeless topics of race and class.
How to Properly Pronounce Langston Hughes
Since Langston Hughes was a celebrated author who lived a life of purpose, it is important to properly pronounce his name to properly recognize his achievements. Hughes’ name is pronounced “Lang-stun-Hews”. Formatting the name this way implies that all syllables get equal emphasis and makes it easier to pronounce correctly. Additionally, the “H” in Hughes is pronounced as a “ks” to accent the last syllable.
In terms of the pronunciation of the letter “a”, the name is usually pronounced as “Lang-stuhn-Hews”. While the variation between “uh” and “ah” is a matter of individual preference, it is important to note that Hughes did pronounce the name “Lang-stuhn-Hews”. Therefore, those looking to properly pronounce Langston Hughes should not put too much emphasis on any one portion of the name.
The Significance Behind Langston Hughes’ Name
As Langston Hughes wrote some of the most captivating and inspiring literature for the African-American community, his name carries an extra layer of significance. The combination of Langston and Hughes represents the perfect combination of strength and intelligence. By pairing the Old English and Old Norse meanings of the name Langston with the Welsh and Irish Hughes, the name becomes a perfect representation of the growth and progress that Hughes worked so tirelessly to promote.
Furthermore, by merging the Old Norse and Old English to create the name Langston, Hughes’ parents were likely attempting to capture both sides of his heritage. With Langston Hughes’ father being African-American and his mother being of European-American descent, the name is a reflection of the unique story that Hughes lived.
How Langston Inspired the Harlem Renaissance
Langston Hughes was a pivotal figure in the development of the Harlem Renaissance, which was a period during which African-American art and culture flourished. Between the 1920s and 1930s, writers, dancers, painters, musicians, and other influential black artists made their mark on the world. Hughes’ own writing paid tribute to the beauty of African-American culture, and spoke to the struggles that black individuals faced during the time.
The power of Hughes’ writing was not only in the raw beauty of his words, but in how he managed to capture both the beauty and the struggle of the African-American experience. Rather than denouncing one or the other, Hughes embraced both, making them integral parts of his art. Furthermore, Hughes’ work highlights the beauty of black culture, while still highlighting the discrimination and oppression that African-Americans faced.
Famous Works in Langston Hughes’s Career
Throughout his career, Hughes was able to establish himself as one of the most influential writers of his time. His works are renowned for their wit and insight into African-American culture. Some of his most famous works include:
– The Weary Blues (1926): A definitive example of Hughes’s poetic style, which captures the soul of African-American music and culture.
– Fine Clothes to the Jew (1927): A poem about a young African-American man who struggles to be appreciated for his talent.
– Not Without Laughter (1930): Hughes’s first novel, which explores the complex views of race and class in America.
– Shakespeare in Harlem (1942): A collection of poems focused on Hughes’s mixed feelings of love, confusion, and sorrow.
-Selected Poems of Langston Hughes (1995): A compilation of some of Hughes’s most influential works, ranging from playful poems to deep, thought-provoking pieces.
Langston Hughes and His Legacy
Hughes’s legacy extends far beyond his writing. He was a prominent figure in numerous civil rights movements and pushed for greater equality and understanding between races. In addition to his advocacy, Hughes was instrumental in advancing the Harlem Renaissance, which was a critical juncture in which African-American representation and culture was able to flourish.
Moreover, Hughes’ impact has been felt in the 21st century. His works have been the subject of numerous books and films, and his poetry has been set to music. Additionally, Hughes has been immortalized with a number of honorary titles, including induction into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the National Institute of Arts and Letters, and the Academy of American Poets. Nonetheless, more than anything, Hughes’s most enduring legacy is his body of work, which stands as a testament to the power of art and the beauty and strength of African-American culture.
The Relationship Between Langston Hughes & Jazz Music
Langston Hughes had a special passion for jazz music, which greatly influenced the various forms of media he created. He was heavily influenced by jazz as a young man, listening intently to the sounds of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington while living in New York City. Hughes also frequently attended jazz clubs in Harlem, immersing himself in beat rhythms, blues songs, and ragtime bands.
Hughes sought to connect jazz and literature, intertwining the two together. He was especially fascinated by the use of “word painting”, the technique of using words to mimic the melody of a song. Hughes incorporated this style into his own writing, using words to paint vivid pictures and evoke deep emotion in readers. In particular, Hughes often used repetition and syncopation in his poetry in order to illustrate the sound of jazz music.
The Impact of Langston Hughes’ Writing
Hughes’s writing often strayed from traditional literary forms, being both frank and freeing in its depictions of race and class in America. The narrative voice often conveyed confidence, hope, and pride rather than the despair and depression that was often associated with African-American literature. His writing was intent on lifting his own people up, highlighting the beauty and power of African-American culture.
Furthermore, Hughes’s writing challenged the racism and discrimination that black individuals faced. He used raw emotion to convey the thoughts and feelings of his narrative, painting a vivid picture of the struggles that those of color experienced. By speaking openly about these experiences, Hughes’s writing provided a platform for open conversation and understanding.
The Philosophy of Langston Hughes
One of Hughes’s primary beliefs was that art is a powerful conduit for change. By expanding his readers’ perspectives through his work, Hughes aimed to promote greater understanding and acceptance between races. In addition to pushing for greater unity and understanding between ethnicities, Hughes also championed a message of self-empowerment and pride within the African-American community.
Through his works, Hughes sought to celebrate the beauty of African-American culture and thus declared that “Black is beautiful”. To this day, this phrase still holds an enormous amount of power, and can be found in the works of a variety of different artists. Furthermore, this concept is also deeply intertwined with the words of Malcolm X, who also spoke of the strength and importance of the African-American experience.
The Lasting Legacy of Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes is undoubtedly one of the most influential African-American authors of all time. He used his powerful voice and words to express his ideas on politics and social issues, and to shape the way people think about race and ethnicity. Furthermore, his work inspired generations of younger African-Americans to pursue their dreams, and stands as a tribute to the beauty and strength of black culture.
To this day, Hughes’s legacy lives on in his works and his achievements. His literature continues to push readers to think critically and open their minds to different points of view. His poetry challenges us to question our own preconceived notions, and his words continue to invoke emotion and understanding. As such, Hughes’s words and works remain as relevant today as they were when he wrote them over eighty years ago.
