Who is Langston Hughes Parents?
Langston Hughes is one of the most esteemed American authors of the 20th century. He was influential in the Harlem Renaissance, a time of great artistic and literary production. Although he is celebrated for his poetry and writings, many people do not know much about his personal life – especially his parents.
James Langston Hughes (Langston’s father) was born in Kentucky and was a hopeful, promising student. The eldest of seven children, James was ambitious, talented and determined to succeed. He had the opportunity to attend Central High in Cleveland, Ohio before relocating to Mexico. He was an extremely talented individual and was able to speak four languages and read two others. That extraordinary command of language enabled him to become the dean of a seminary in Mexico, where he also worked as an English professor.
Carrie Mercer Langston (Langston’s mother) was born in Missouri in 1867. As a young woman, she held many different jobs. She worked as a teacher, educator and organizer within the African American community. Carries’s determination, unwavering ambition and efforts to promote black equality were also influential in the NAACP movement.
Though he was extremely close with his father, and often expressed great admiration for him, Langston Hughes and his father were not united. At the age of eighteen, he moved to New York City and severed ties with his father. Langston had had a rift with his father due to the man’s increasing conservatism and suppression of his son’s desire to pursue a life in writing, despite their close relationship. However, their split was only temporary, and the two were reconciled shortly thereafter.
Though as a young adult Hughes yearned for independence and was determined to follow his own path, he never lost the love and admiration he had for both his mother and father. Growing up, his parents embodied traditional values and it was through this that Langston Hughes was able to formulate his own sense of morality and culture. He was exposed to an array of different cultures and perspectives through their travels and experiences, which in turn enabled him to become a successful and diverse writer.
Langston Hughes’ Relationship to His Father
In spite of their oftentimes contentious relationship, James Langston Hughes had had a profound influence on his son’s life. When Langston was a young boy, James instilled in his son morals and values that helped shape his character. He also opened his eyes to the beauty of cultures and languages outside of the United States, which Langston would later incorporate into his work.
Langston respected his father, even though he chose to pursue a different path in life. In many of his poems, such as the “Dreams Deferred” and “Let America Be America Again”, Langston talks about the black American experience and the hopes and dreams of a better future. These poems have been interpreted as being indirect commentary on James’ efforts in breaking down barriers for black Americans, but being unable to see these really come to fruition.
Though their relationship was strained for periods of time, the two made up shortly before James died in 1933. The father son relationship had been reconciled and Langston was able to enjoy the last few years of his father’s life. It is possible that the son’s newfound success in literature and cultural expression helped bring the two together.
Langston Hughes’ Relationship to His Mother
Langston and Carrie had an incredibly close relationship. She provided endless financial and emotional support throughout his life and was known for being fiercely independent. As a champion of the black community, Carrie herself was a model of independence. Her own career, both as a teacher and in the NAACP, served as an example to her son. It was through this relationship that Langston Hughes was able to develop his sense of morality that would later be mirrored in his work.
Although they were not reunited until Langston achieved his own level of success in literature, the bond between them had only grown stronger. He was able to travel with her and experience other cultures from her point of view. Both Carrie and her son served as inspirations to the Harlem Renaissance, and it was through their shared efforts that this artistic movement was able to reach the level of success that it did.
Langston openly celebrated his mother and her achievements in his appearance on Oprah in 1988. He spoke about her role in history, her success as an educator and the lasting legacy for which she has become known. His admiration for his mother and the example she brought to him through her life is obvious in interviews held close to his death in 1967.
Influence on Langston Hughes’ Writing
When it came to Langston Hughes’s writing, there was a clear influence by both of his parents. His father’s influence can be seen in his works’ call for a better, more equal society and how his works explore the intersections of race, class and gender. His mother’s influence can be seen in the focus on traditional values, freedom and equality. Together, their combined influences led to Langston’s success as an artist and writer, and the deep impact he left on the world.
The beliefs of both of his parents together, alongside his own unique outlook on life and the world, pushed Langston Hughes to take up the challenge of a better society and to make his voice heard through literature. Through his writing, he was able to speak truths that would have gone unheard had he not had the wisdom and courage to use his own words.
Conclusion of Langston Hughes’ Parents
The legacy of both James and Carrie Langston Hughes live on, not only through their son’s famous works, but also through their impact on the world. Their combined efforts, their passion for education and their commitment to advancing black equality laid the foundation for Langston’s own success and the overarching success of the Harlem Renaissance. Langston Hughes and his parents’ contributions will continue to inspire generations of writers and academics alike.
Langston Hughes’ Interest in Music
Apart from poetry and literature, another one of Langston Hughes’ great interests was music. He drew inspiration from the blues, jazz and rock and roll of his time, incorporating it heavily into his works. His 1925 poem, “The Weary Blues”, goes into detail about a musician playing with great skill and emotion. It was first published in the NAACP magazine The Messenger, and is one of his most celebrated works.
In addition to writing poetry, Langston Hughes was also an active musician. He was a great admirer of poet Walt Whitman, and also a close friend of record producer and musician Louis Armstrong. Together they produced “Toot Toot Tootsie Goodbye” and “(What Did I Do To Be So) Black and Blue”, a song deemed too risque by U.S. radio stations at the time.
Langston Hughes felt strongly about the power of music and its real-life implications for black people in the United States during a time of racism, hatred and economic disadvantage. He wrote about it in his famous poem, “I, Too”. In it, he expresses the idea that one day, black people will be treated equally to white people, and creates the metaphor of even a singer being able to take the stage, regardless of skin colour. Ultimately, music had a great influence on Langston Hughes and his literature.
The Lasting Legacy of Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes’s works are one of the landmarks of the American literature cannon. Many consider him to be one of the 20th century’s, and even the world’s, most influential authors. He is celebrated for his works of poetry and literary fiction and was profoundly influential in the Harlem Renaissance. His artistry and personal experiences combined to create a strong message, calling for a better and more equal future for African Americans.
He is celebrated for his works such as “The Weary Blues”, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” and “A Negro Caravan”. All of these pieces explore different aspects of the African American experience, from the strength of their traditions to the fight for civil rights. Even today, Langston Hughes is a celebrated figure and his works have been embraced by readers around the world. His works continue to be relevant in today’s political climate and his legacy will remain for generations to come.
Langston Hughes’ Takes on Life
Langston Hughes’s works were mainly based on his own experiences and views of life. He often wrote of the struggle faced by African Americans. Through his writings, Langston sought to create and foster an appreciation of their culture and heritage, while also pushing for a more equal future. His works also demonstrate a desire to break down racial boundaries and promote understanding between people.
His works often deal with topics such as love, rejection and belonging. He also addressed topics like racism, poverty and social strife. Langston used his works to explore a number of societal issues and to encourage dialogue. He was also an advocate of peace, writing often about the importance of collaboration and understanding among all people.
Throughout his work, Langston sought to bring about change and to call for social progress. His works are often seen as a call to action and motion, challenging individuals and societies to work for a better tomorrow. His writing is a message of hope and a reminder to strive for a better world.
Langston Hughes’ Unforgettable Legacy
Langston Hughes was a deeply influential figure in both the art world and the civil rights movement. His works continue to be read and studied today and they remain an important part of the American literature cannon. He was a visionary, a teacher and a leader, one who helped pave the way for social and artistic progress. Langston’s parents were great teachers and mentors who kept pushing him forward even when home life got tumultuous and he defied them.
His mother and father left an everlasting legacy of determination, ambition and a commitment to uplifting the African American experience. Without them, the impact of Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance would have been greatly diminished. Langston Hughes was a great figure in the history of American literature and his legacy will live on forever.
