Early Life of Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes was an African-American poet, playwright, and novelist. He was born in Joplin, Missouri, on February 1, 1902. His parents, James and Carrie Hughes, separated soon after Langston was born. Langston eventually moved with his father to Topeka, Kansas, and then to Cleveland, Ohio when he was only thirteen. During this time he wrote his first poem, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” which was published in 1921.
In his early twenties, Langston attended Columbia University, eventually dropping out and embarking on a series of travels through the south and Midwest United States, a journey that inspired his writing later in life. Hughes ultimately moved to New York City, where he became a well-known figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a literary and artistic explosion in the African-American community during the 1920s and 1930s.
Langston Hughes’ Career
Hughes dedicated his life to writing and advocating for African-American expression and identity. He was most famous for his poetry, but also wrote a series of novels, plays, and nonfiction books. In 1937, he founded a traveling theater called the “Langston Hughes Negro People’s Theater” in the
Harlem neighborhood of New York City. This venture was responsible for producing the first professional Negro theater productions in America. He continued to write throughout his life, and even worked on books while serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
The poems and plays of Langston Hughes are particularly famous for their focus on the African-American experience and struggles. His works often highlighted the importance of racial identity and pride, and reflected the dreams, suffering and determination of the African-American people. His work was also acclaimed for its musicality, combining musical jazz and blues with his poetic verses.
Legacy of Langston Hughes
Some of Hughes’ most memorable works include the poem “I, Too Sing America”, which is a powerful statement of racial pride, and the play “Mule Bone,” which was written in collaboration with Zora Neale Hurston. The play is a brilliant examination of class and race issues of the time. His novel “Not Without Laughter” won the Harmon Gold Award for Literature in 1930.
After Langston Hughes died in 1967, his body of work was posthumously recognized with numerous honors, including a Pulitzer Prize nomination in 1984. In 2002, President George W. Bush awarded Hughes the National Medal of Arts in recognition of his contributions to American literature and civil rights. Today, Hughes is celebrated worldwide as one of the greatest African-American poets, and his work continues to inspire countless future generations.
Influence of Langston Hughes
The influence of Langston Hughes is far-reaching and undeniable. He was a major contributor to the African-American literary canon, and has inspired countless other authors to write about the struggles and joys of being African-American. His poetic and theatrical works offer insights into the culture and experience of African-Americans, and are widely read and studied today. The works of Langston Hughes have also been adapted for film, television, and theater over the years.
Hughes’ commitment to racial justice and equality is evident in all of his writings, and his legacy as a poet and civil rights advocate lives on. In addition to his literary works, Langston Hughes also left a legacy of activism, and is widely remembered as a cultural icon who was dedicated to the fight for racial equality.
Style of Langston Hughes
The works of Langston Hughes reflect a distinct style: His words are vivid, soulful, and full of imagery. He often wrote about the African-American experience, using vernacular speech and vivid description to capture the lives and struggles of African-Americans during the time period. At the same time, Hughes was celebrated for his unique use of symbolism and metaphor in his poetry, which elicited powerful emotions in the reader.
Hughes’ writing was known for its rhythm and musicality. He often incorporated jazz and blues into his works, which further evoked a sense of emotion and connection to the African-American experience. Furthermore, Hughes was a master of rhyme: He often used assonance and alliteration to create unforgettable sentences and phrases that remain resonant in popular culture today.
Langston Hughes and Education
In addition to writing and advocating for racial equality, Langston Hughes was also a fervent believer in the power of education. He wrote extensively about education, and often spoke about the importance of knowledge and learning. Hughes also wrote books for children, including “The Cat and the Fox” and “The Sweet and Sour Animal Book”.
In his later years, Langston Hughes was a notable lecturer and public speaker, often giving talks about literature, race issues and education. He was also an honorary fellow at several universities, including Columbia, Princeton, and the University of Cambridge. Through his words and teachings, Langston Hughes left an unforgettable legacy of educational and racial equity that continues to influence to this day.
Conclusion of Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes was a poet, playwright, novelist, and activist. He spent his lifetime exploring and celebrating African-American identity and experience. His works are renowned for their musicality, creativity, and powerful depiction of life as a black American. Hughes was highly influential in the Harlem Renaissance and is remembered today as a driving force in literature, social justice, and education.
