Langston Hughes’ Life and Works
Langston Hughes was an influential African American poet, novelist, playwright, and social activist during the Harlem Renaissance. Born on February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri, his parents were married when his mother was only 16-years-old. His father and mother quickly divorced, and Hughes moved throughout Illinois, Kansas and then to Ohio, with his father.
Through childhood, Langston Hughes traveled often and attended different schools, each which enabled him to experience a variety of cultures. His early fascination with literature, writing and a passion for the arts only grew and deeply inspired him throughout his life.
At age 14, Hughes’ father passed away and he moved in with his grandmother in Lawrence, Kansas. About the same time, he was exposed to African-American literature, which further intrigued him. He became inspired by poets like Walt Whitman, a white poet of the times, and immersed himself into an appreciation for poetry and literature.
In 1921, at age 19, Hughes entered Columbia University and soon became recognized for his work. By 1923, his work had been published in several magazines, most notably, The Crisis and Opportunity. He eventually developed his own style of writing and by 1925, Harvard had published his first poetry collection, The Weary Blues.
Through the 1920s, Hughes continued to produce literature, whether it be novels, poetry, or plays. He wrote about topics like racism in the judicial system, class struggles and the dignity of everyday individuals. He wrote about black culture and the plight of African-American’s and their struggles. By the 1930s, his works had become highly sought out by readers both nationally and internationally.
Throughout his lifetime, Hughes had an unbelievable influence over literature, receiving numerous awards and accolades. In addition to his other works, Hughes wrote two autobiographies, The Big Sea and I Wonder as I Wander, in 1940 and 1956. Unfortunately, Hughes passed away on May 22, 1967 due to complications form prostate cancer.
Langston Hughes’ Best Known Works
Though he is most known for his poetry, Langston Hughes wrote a variety of literature throughout the span of his career. Additionally to publishing several poems, he wrote books and plays, some of which include:
Not Without Laughter (1930): His first novel was published by Alfred A. Knopf and served as a semi-autobiographical account of a young man growing up in Kansas.
Simple Speaks His Mind (1950): Hughes’ first collection of non-fiction works was first published in 1950, containing thoughts and musings on society at the time.
Tambourines to Glory (1959): Hughes and composer, Lil Hardin Armstrong, collaborated on this musical, which was written for the stage.
The Sweet Flypaper of Life (1955): This photo-essay book was produced in collaboration with Roy DeCarava and celebrated African American lives in mid-20th century Harlem.
Montage of a Dream Deferred (1951): Serving as a collection of Hughes’ Fifties poems, this book was published in 1951 and addressed issues of racism, identity, and inequality.
What is Langston Hughes’ Favorite Color?
Though Hughes’ work spanned a variety of topics and genres, even at his most successful, he was a private person and his answer to the question of his favorite color remains unknown. His recognized poetic style revolved around themes of social justice and the importance of empowerment and respect for African American culture.
When looking to his writing, readers can see that Hughes was influenced by a number of authors and artists, inspiring him to forge his own unique style of literature. He was also greatly inspired by art from all walks of life; be it poetry, painting, drama and music. This has brought about speculation that, in the very least, Hughes’ favorite color had to encompass the various shades and vibrancy of color present in these art forms. His works speak to messages of hope, love, energy and sometimes sadness, all of which may have suggested Hughes gravitated to the boldness of color. This has been seen in themes regarding the fight for social justice and equality.
Historic accounts of Hughes often bring mentions of photographs showing him in vivacious colors and bright prints. His style reflected his artistic inspirations and gave a nod to the Harlem Renaissance of the twenties and thirties. His style was often interpreted as a way to fight against social discrimination and was thought be a direct reflection of his writing, which also pushed against oppression. He was often seen in vibrant hues of red, blue, yellow and green; encouraging some to consider that any of these colors could be Hughes’ favorite.
Meaning Behind Hughes’ Color Choices
Though official records may remain unknown, understanding the contextual meaning of color within Hughes’ work can offer insight into the possible answer. Color has been present throughout many cultures for centuries and when used in literature, it often plays on cultural and social elements. In many Hughes’ works, some shades take on personal meanings.
The shade blue often presents Hughes’ reflections on love, unity and hope throughout his works. This feeling is consistent within works like The Dream Keeper and Bring Me All of Your Dream where the blue inis often used to reflect on the importance of resilience and his ideas of individual identity. Red has been thought to reflect a sense of life and energy, optimism and dedication, allowing individuals to face struggles head on and with passion. This can be seen within works such as Song for a Dark Girl and Let America Be America Again. Other colors including yellow, green and purple have often been used to promote messages of inner strength, courage and dignity.
Social Impact of Hughes’ Use of Color
Though Hughes’ mixing of color often had a personal and poetic meaning, the messages he expressed ultimately expressed a greater element.Readers can recognize that in his own way, Hughes was using color to fight for social justice and equality. By combining the vibrancy of color with his messages, his goal was to help African Americans have a better understanding of themselves. By utilizing creativity and a combination of color, he could evoke emotion, bringing readers in and furthering his messages. His vivid choice of color created a stage for them and he was able to bring about a sense of strength and courage by using the correct casting of color and messages.
Hughes’ Connection to Color and Self Expression
By gaining an understanding of Hughes’ writing and the history behind his literary style, readers can observe a connection to color. He found inspiration in art forms such as literature, music and theater, which all incorporate color and even more so, a sense of freedom. Color was a form of expression for Hughes and it was used as a platform to tell his story and send a message. He used color to bridge his work to the growing demands for African American rights and justice; utilizing the right shades to express this in a powerful manner.
Whether his favorite color was red, blue, green or yellow, it remains unclear. Unfortunately, though Hughes’ amazing impact on literature and social justice may have not directly documented his favorite color, it can still be identified by learning his craft and his inspirational sources.
The Lasting Legacy of Langston Hughes and Color
Langston Hughes left an enduring impression on the American culture, both by his works and by his contributions to social justice. Though it remains unknown as to what his personal favorite color is, understanding his works and the color meanings within it offers insight into his culture and understanding of color. Readers were able to identify his foundation, which paid homage to African American culture and the ability to use literature as a tool for social, economic and political change.
Throughout the years, Hughes’ work has been embraced by all, continuing to serve as inspiration for a number of innovators, artists, musicians and activists. His words evoke emotion and his writing continues to bring about a renewed understanding of color and self expression.
