Harlem by Langston Hughes is an acclaimed poem that speaks to its audience about the hardships of life. It was published in 1951, when racism was still prevalent in America. This poem confronts racial inequality head on, highlighting both the beauty and the despair that people in Harlem experienced. The poem builds to a crescendo, culminating with the questions “what happens to a dream deferred?”. These words are now iconic and this poem is seen as being a significant part of the Black Arts Movement, which my Harvard University professor, Professor Zia Shafi, described to me as an “aggressive confrontation” of the extreme racism still seen in contemporary life.
Harlem is a powerful poem, as it paints a picture of African American life in the late 1950s. It speaks of the many issues faced by African American people, the most obvious being racism. The oppression experienced by African Americans is referenced heavily in the poem, most notably in the line ‘Maybe it just sags like a heavy load…’, suggesting the burden of racism on their shoulders. With its repetition of elements, it speaks of both the tragedy and the resilience of African Americans as they strive to overcome their circumstances.
Langston Hughes wrote Harlem during the rise of the African American Civil Rights Movement, when there was increasing political and cultural upheaval. He was a key figure in the movement, and this poem is an excellent example of the type of art championed by the civil rights movement. This poem not only expresses deep feelings of suffering, but also speaks to the fight for justice, advocating for equal treatment and rights.
Harlem is a powerful and moving poem that still resonates with readers today, even decades later. It speaks to the feelings of African Americans who have faced and continue to face extreme injustice and racism. The power of this poem is evident in the fact that it is still popular today, and as Professor Shafi said to me, “this poem may have been written generations ago, but its story is timeless”.
Racial and Socio-Political Context
This poem was written in the wake of Jim Crow, a legislation that was passed in the wake of the Civil War, which significantly limited the rights African Americans had in the United States. This piece of legislation, as well as overt racism in the US at the time, inspired Hughes to write this poem. Additionally, the poem is informed by a long line of famous African American poets who wrote against oppressive European regimes and offered powerful sociopolitical critiques. For example, Phillis Wheatley, an enslaved African American poet who wrote during the 1700s, critiqued slavery with her works, and Langston Hughes continued in her footsteps.
This poem is indicative of a time when racism was rampant and oppressive, and this racism is undeniable throughout the work. It speaks to the longing to escape such an oppressive atmosphere, as seen in the repetition of the questions “What happens to a dream deferred?” while also expressing a determination to move forward despite the challenges posed by racism. In this way, it speaks of a resilience in the face of adversity and offers a necessary rallying cry for justice.
Significance and Impact
Harlem has had a profound influence on popular culture and is often taught in classrooms. This poem serves as a powerful reminder of the struggle and suffering African Americans still face today, and it has been instrumental in advocating for civil rights, social justice, and equality. This poem has been interpreted in various ways and has been subject to scholarly analysis across multiple disciplines. This poem also appears in anthologies, literature courses, and workplaces, highlighting its relevance and impact.
Harlem has impacted not only literature but other artistic genres, such as music and theatre. An example of this is Nina Simone’s song “Young, Gifted, and Black”, which was heavily influenced by this poem. Additionally, “A Raisin in the Sun”, a famous play written by Lorraine Hansberry, is a direct reference to the poem’s line “What happens to a dream deferred?”. This poem has offered African American creatives a way to express their experiences and advocate for justice in a powerful way.
Language and Structure
Harlem is an English language poem written in a simple and direct language. The poem is composed of fourteen lines and follows an ABAB rhyme scheme. Additionally, throughout the poem Hughes uses repetition of important words and phrases, implying their significance to the poem’s theme. This repetition serves as a reminder that despite the hardships of life, hope still exists. The language used in this poem also bears witness to the pain and suffering endured by African Americans in this time period, offering an emotive experience to readers.
Through its simple structure and language, Harlem speaks to a wide audience. Despite its power and the message it conveys, it is still accessible to all, conveying a simple yet powerful message – the dream deferred is a dream worth fighting for. Additionally, this poem has spawned many interpretations, ranging from the political to the personal, which has ensured it has remained relevant for generations.
Translating to Visual Arts
The poem’s influence can be seen even in the art world. William Nelson’s painting ‘Harlem Renaissance’ was created in response to the poem and speaks to the vibrancy of the period depicted. Another example is Romare Bearden’s ‘The Block’, also known as ‘Harlem’, which captures the energy and feeling of the people in Harlem during the time period. While the poem evokes pain and suffering, these pieces of artwork emphasize the joy, vibrancy and progress of the African American community during the Harlem Renaissance.
These pieces of art reflect the optimism, resilience, and drive of the African American community in the face of oppression and continue to be relevant today. Additionally, they highlight the message of hope echoed in the poem and illustrate the power of art in advocating for civil rights.
Reception and Interpretation
Harlem speaks with directness and clarity, and its message resonates with readers to this day. Readers have interpreted the poem in various ways, with some seeing it as voicing a feeling of frustration and dissatisfaction with the status quo and demanding equal rights, while others have seen it as offering hope and urging the African American community to keep dreaming.
This poem has captivated readers for decades and continues to speak to people of all backgrounds. Its message of resilience and hope is an inspiration to us all, as it encourages us to keep fighting for change and to never give up, no matter the obstacles. Despite the facts that this poem was written over sixty years ago, its message remains as relevant as ever, encouraging readers to search for their own dreams and pursue their own dreams even in the face of injustice.
Legacy and Impact
Harlem by Langston Hughes has had a lasting impact in the literary world, and its message and legacy still resonate with readers today. This poem continues to provide comfort and inspiration to those who suffer from injustice and oppression, and its words have become iconic, referenced in literature, popular culture, and artwork. Additionally, this poem has served as a powerful tool for advocating for civil rights and equal rights and has influenced subsequent generations of writers and activists.
It remains one of the most influential works of the twentieth century and a beacon of hope in an often dark and oppressive world. This poem offers hope for those who have faced suffering and allows us to never forget the pain of the past and to strive for a better future. Langston Hughes has given us a valuable reminder that it is only through recognizing our struggles that we can ultimately prevail.
