Early Life and Education
Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri, though he was raised in Lawrence, Kansas. His father was James Nathaniel Hughes, a lawyer, and his mother was Carrie Mercer Langston Hughes, a schoolteacher. Hughes was named after his maternal grandfather, Langston Hughes, who had been a slave. When Hughes was little, his father moved to Mexico in search of new opportunities. Therefore, Hughes’ early childhood was accompanied by a great deal of instability, as he would stay with different relatives throughout the rest of his adolescence.
In spite of his difficult upbringing, Hughes had the opportunity to receive the best education, attending the selective Central High School in Cleveland, Ohio. His gifts for writing were already apparent since his elementary days; due to this, he was very active in school, participating in plays and writing in the school magazine. He also became involved in literature and philosophy circles, as his former Central High School principal, William Hurlock, pointed out.
Professional Career and Legacy
Langston Hughes had an extensive professional career. He wrote poetry and short stories, articles, plays and even musicals. He published some of his books under a pen name called “Langston Hughes”. His first poem was published in The Crisis magazine in 1921 and his first book, The Weary Blues was published in 1926. He was a columnist for the Afro-American newspaper, writing under the penname of “Ludlow Lomax”. He also wrote several novels, such as The Ways of White Folks and Not Without Laughter and he also wrote journalism articles in the Chicago Defender, Opportunity and his own journal, The Bivouac.
Hughes’ work was greatly influential and anticipated the emergence of the civil rights movement. Through his writings, he expressed the everyday life and struggles of African-Americans. One of the fundamental themes in Hughes’ writings is the racial identity of African-Americans, as expressed in his poem The Negro Speaks of Rivers. His works also explored death, racial injustice, culture, and racism.
His work has been celebrated internationally and he is one of the most iconic figures in African-American literature. He was awarded numerous honors and was elected as a foreign member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1965. He was also a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1932 and an honorary doctorate from Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, in 1943.
Personal Life
Langston Hughes was sexually ambiguous and was never married. He had short-lived relationships, which were the source of his written works and gave him inspiration for his poems. He spoke about a variety of topics mainly focusing on his travels and experiences, however, he rarely commented on his private life. He did, however, once state that he felt like he did not belong anywhere as he did not have a strong identity since he was not part of either of his parents’ original cultures.
Nonetheless, he is considered one of the most influential African-American writers of his time. His works were written during and subsequent to the great depression and highlighted the African-American experience and the lack of opportunities available to African-Americans during the time.
Writing Style
Langston Hughes wrote mainly in a poetic, melodic, and highly descriptive style. He was best known for his use of jazz music and blues music as a source of inspiration for his poetry. His works demonstrated his commitment to his personal experiences and views, which he regularly depicted in his poetry. His works also showed his talent for creating vivid images that made readers feel immersed in the content of his writing.
He wrote with a particular focus on the African-American experience, especially in the era of segregation. His works were unique in that they encompassed the cultural and political climate of the time. Hughes was also lauded for his use of a variety of lyrical styles, often converting his prose into poetic forms such as the blues, folk songs, and spirituals.
Involvement in Politics
Although Langston Hughes is mainly renowned for his literary genius and works, he was politically involved more than people think. He was associated with the Communist party in the 1930s and also part of a group called the American Crusade Against Lynching in 1935. Hughes was an advocate of human rights and he wrote several political essays, expressing his opinion regarding contributions to the social and economic conditions of the African diaspora in the U.S. In his works, he explored the idea of racial injustice, pointing out the inconsistency of the American promise of equality for all.
He was a detached observer of cultural movements and he also wrote about the brutal experiences of the black people in the country. He even tried to understand and explain the frustration of black people in America throughout the decades. He wrote often about the double standards experienced by Americans and he was always imbued with the hope of change and progress.
Legacy
The impact and influence of Langston Hughes’s writing and activism was wide-reaching and far outlived him. His works often reflected recurring themes of racism and the negative reception African-Americans faced in U.S. society, coupled with his countless poetic works, plays and short stories, he helped to define the African-American voice and literature for future generations. He has written more than 50 books, and his works continued to be embraced and performed around the world. He remains a revered figure in American culture, as his writing still captures readers from all walks of life.
Contemporaries
Langston Hughes was a highly influential figure in the literary world of his generation alongside the likes of Zora Neale Hurston and James Baldwin. The links between their careers and writings are reflected in their shared experiences and the distinctive features in each of their works. Hughes and Hurston worked closely together in various editorial roles at The Opportunity, a New York-based journal which was focussed on African-American art and literature.
His relationship with James Baldwin is documented in one of his most renowned books The Ways of White Folks, which is narrated by the character of Jim, a close friend of Hughes. This book was the result of an exchange on race issues between Hughes and Baldwin. The topics covered in their conversations range from issues of poverty and racial oppression to the power of love.
Legacy in Arts and Literature
The legacy of Langston Hughes has extended to the 21st century and is still relevant today. His influence in the literary world includes leading Afro-American writers such as Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison, both of whom paid homage to him and his writing. Hughes’ works continue to be studied by literature students, and his essays and poems have been incorporated into the syllabi of many universities.
In addition, his writings remain a source of inspiration for later authors. Since Hughes’ time, the African-American experience has been documented and discussed by countless writers, and his work continues to be referenced in many of these works. His writings and words have touched generations of readers and remain a staple in the American literary canon.
Influence in Pop Culture
Not only has Langston Hughes left an undeniable mark on the literary world, but he has also left an everlasting impact on popular culture. Hughes’ works have been adapted into films, as is the case of the Not Without Laughter film, as well as into musicals and plays, such as the musical Street Scene.
In addition, Hughes’ work has been referenced in songs by artists like Queen Latifah and T.I. His works have also been adapted into various forms of visual art, and they have been the source of inspiration for countless other works of art. Hughes’ legacy will never be forgotten, as his impact on literature, art, and culture continues to live on through his words.
