Early Life
Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. His father was James Hughes, a businessman who traveled often and his mother was Carol Mercer Hughes. His parents soon separated and he moved with his mother and grandmother to Lawrence, Kansas. As a young boy, Hughes was moved by the bittersweet sounds of blues and spirituals in the African American districts of nearby cities such as Topeka, Kansas. His journey to becoming a poet was perhaps inspired by the free-flowing formation of the blues, the instrumental parts, and the lyrics sung with such emotion.
Early on, Hughes was already an avid reader, with one of his favorites being his beloved grandfather’s Bible. He moved frequently, learning the arts and poetry at the African American Lincoln High School in Cleveland, Ohio and later attended Columbia University in New York City, making it the first place he ever ‘lived’ as an adult. Throughout his life, Hughes developed a unique style of writing which combined aspects of the folk culture he had known since childhood and traditional forms of literature.
Style and techniques
Hughes wrote in several literary forms, but the one he is most noted for is his ability to capture the spirit of the African-American people in both their struggles and joys. It is this capability that made him a favorite of both champions of civil rights and the African-American community. Much of his writing was inspired by his own personal experiences, but he was also inspired by the stories of other African Americans and their struggles.
As a poet, Hughes’s work is full of vivid images and powerful emotion. He used imagery, metaphor and repetition to express painful issues of race, poverty, and discrimination. He employed music, references to spirituals, along with jazz and blues to ground his writing in the oral traditions of his people.
In his writing, Hughes also incorporated elements of the folklore and folktales of African Americans into his work. This helped give his writings a unique flavor and made them more accessible to the common person. He also used biblical allusions, an approach often used by African American poets. Hughes brought his African American identity to life by exploring the social, political and economic plight of African Americans in his writing.
Later Years
In the later years of his life, Hughes continued to experiment with writing styles and developed a more direct approach, which often dealt with the plight of African Americans. He focused his work on topics such as racism, oppression and the difficulties of the Great Depression. His poetry reflected his hope for a better future for the African American people.
His oldest surviving poem, written at the age of 15 and entitled “My Lazy Life,” displays his gift for poetic meter and humor. Hughes is known for his works of poetry, including such titles as “The Weary Blues” and “Mother to Son,” which focus on the harsh realities of life and the resilience and strength of African-American people.
He captured the disposition and experiences of African-Americans as they existed at the time of his writing, which was especially meaningful and powerful during the time period of the Harlem Renaissance. This movement sought to bring greater visibility and recognition of African-American culture and Hughes, in many ways, was one of its chief proponents, who worked to expose the racism of the era.
Influences
One of the biggest influences on Langston Hughes’ work was the blues and spirituals he heard as a child. These musical styles made a deep impression on him, as he was drawn to the stories these musical forms revealed. For Hughes, the blues were an outlet for pain, which made him able to relate to the stories, as he was very much in touch with his own emotions.
Hughes was also inspired by the stories of the everyday struggles of African Americans, which he encountered both in person and from books. As Hughes’ journey of life progressed, so did his understanding of the experiences and stories of African Americans. He used these stories to create works of poetry that could be accessible to the public, yet powerful and true to the realism he encountered.
Works
Langston Hughes was most famous for his work in poetry. He wrote several collections of poems, such as The Weary Blues, The Ways of White Folks, Not Without Laughter and Montage of a Dream Deferred, which combined the beauty of nature and the spirit of the African-American struggle. His other works range from non-fiction and novels, like Simple Speaks his Mind, to plays like Mulatto, which have been adapted for the stage numerous times.
His works have had a lasting impact on American culture and literature, as his poems have been adapted into songs and used in commercials and other forms of media. His works of literature, poetry, and plays have given voice to the African-American experience and raised awareness of issues such as racism and injustice.
Legacy
The legacy of Langston Hughes is one of a poet and activist who spoke for the silenced African American struggle and culture of his day. He has inspired countless generations of African Americans and their allies, with his words of hope and struggle. His work also includes themes of comedy, which often sought to counteract the harsh realities he spoke of in his works.
His legacy is also one of raising awareness on certain topics, as his works sought to bring attention to the struggle and pain of African Americans. He had a unique way of utilizing humor and optimism to get his message across. This approach helped his works to be more widely accepted by society, which helped to raise awareness of the struggles faced by African Americans.
Death
Langston Hughes died on May 22, 1967 of complications from prostate cancer. He had been living in Harlem but died in a New York City hospital. His works have made a lasting impression on American literature and continue to inspire generations of people today. As a poet, Hughes is remembered as one of the greats, whose words spoke to the African American experience in an accessible way that could ring true even to those outside of his culture.
He was a prolific writer and his works span a variety of different topics. He was also an activist and took part in many protests to further the civil rights movement of the time. His work and activism made him an important figure of the Harlem Renaissance and his legacy continues to live on today.
Recognition
Langston Hughes’ work is still widely celebrated today, especially in African American communities. There are monuments, streets, and buildings named after him worldwide and his works are still taught in schools. His life and works are often celebrated and studied in the same way as other greats like Maya Angelou and Martin Luther King Jr.
His work has been collected and studied by many as well, from both scholarly and artistic perspectives. Various awards have been created in his honor and he has also been awarded posthumously with the Medal of Freedom in 2006. As a result of his legacy, Hughes is now recognized worldwide as a great poet, playwright and social activist whose works remain timeless.
