Before analyzing who the speaker is in the famous poem ‘Harlem’ by Langston Hughes, we must first understand the poem itself. Langston Hughes was an American poet, novelist, playwright, and social activist who wrote during the African-American Civil Rights Movement. His poem, ‘Harlem’ is often seen as an expression of frustration and despair on the plight of African Americans. The poem is a combination of dream deferred, a poem which ponders what happens to a person’s dreams if they are put aside and not pursued. The poem consists of eight lines, with each line beginning with the same phrase. The poem asks its reader to consider what might happen to a person’s hopes and desires if they are not pursued. It ends with the speaker asking themselves if they can remain hopeful if their dreams remain unfulfilled.
Though the poem’s speaker is not specified, it is widely believed that the poem’s speaker is Langston Hughes himself. Hughes’s poetry was heavily informed by his experiences and his views on the state of African-American life in America at the time. The poem, ‘Harlem’ is no exception. In the poem, the speaker asks ‘Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?’ This line can be seen as an allusion to a line from another one of Hughes’s poems, ‘A Dream Deferred’, in which the speaker asks ‘What happens to a dream deferred?’ This could imply that the speaker in ‘Harlem’ is Hughes himself, and that the poem can be seen as a continuation of the ideas expressed in his ‘Dream Deferred’ poems.
The poem has been interpreted in various ways, with some critics viewing it as a critique of the dream deferred scenario and its appearance of hope, while others viewing it as a plea for the unfulfilled dream to be pursued and ultimately fulfilled. However, one thing that is clear is that the speaker in the poem is experiencing a sense of longing and despair. The speaker reflects on the plight of African Americans and wonders, ‘Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?’ This line can be interpreted as a metaphor for what happens to hope when it is put aside and not pursued, and can be seen as a reflection of Hughes’s own experiences and impressions of the state of African-American life at the time.
For African Americans in America at the time, life was incredibly difficult. The effects of years of systematic racism, oppression and discrimination were evident. They were prevented from accessing the same opportunities as white Americans, a fact which Hughes reflects in his poem. The speaker in the poem is speaking not only for him or herself, but for all African Americans, and expresses the sense of hopelessness and despair that many African Americans at the time were feeling, as they watched their dreams and hopes be deferred again and again. Hughes’s poem can be seen as a call to action, a reminder of the importance of pursuing one’s dreams in spite of the obstacles that may be in the way.
The Theme Of Deferred Dreams
The poem ‘Harlem’ has a theme of deferred dreams, which is a recurring theme in Langston Hughes’s work. In the poem, Hughes reflects on the impact that deferred dreams can have on a person’s hopes. He suggests that if a dream is put off, then it can lead to a feeling of despair and hopelessness. This is seen in the line ‘Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?’ which can be interpreted as a metaphor for what happens to hope when it is not pursued. The poem is a reminder that dreams should be pursued, despite the difficulties that may be in the way.
The poem also asks its reader to consider their own dreams and hopes, to reflect on what might happen to them if they are not pursued. Hughes suggests that if dreams are deferred, then they can end in disappointment and despair. However, the poem is not just a warning against deferred dreams. It is also a call to action, a reminder to pursue one’s dreams in spite of the difficulties that may be in the way. The poem can be seen as a reminder of the importance of hope, and the importance of persevering despite the obstacles that may be in the way.
Conclusion
Langston Hughes’s poem ‘Harlem’ is a reflection of the difficulties faced by African Americans in America at the time. The poem is a combination of dream deferred, a poem which ponders what happens to a person’s dreams if they are put aside and not pursued. Though the poem’s speaker is not specified, it is widely believed that the poem’s speaker is Hughes himself. The poem has a theme of deferred dreams, which is a recurring theme in Hughes’s work. The poem is a reminder that dreams should be pursued, despite the difficulties that may be in the way. It is a reminder of the importance of hope and the importance of persevering despite the obstacles that may be in the way.
The Impact Of Deferred Dreams
The idea of deferred dreams is an important concept for understanding the plight of African Americans at the time. For African Americans, dreams of social, political, and economic equality were continually deferred, due to the oppressive and discriminatory nature of American society. As a result, the dreams of African Americans were deferred again and again, leading to a feeling of hopelessness and despair. The deferred dream scenario was seen as a stumbling block for African Americans, as it prevented them from achieving the equality and justice that they sought. Hughes’s poem can be seen as a call to action, a reminder of the importance of pursuing one’s dreams in spite of the obstacles that may be in the way.
The Power Of Hope
Though the poem can be seen as a reflection of the despair and hopelessness felt by African Americans in America at the time, it can also be seen as an expression of hope. The poem can be interpreted as an encouragement to persevere, despite the difficulties that may be in the way. The poem ends with the speaker asking themselves if they can remain hopeful if their dreams remain unfulfilled. This can be seen as an expression of hope, a reminder of the power of hope in the face of hardship and oppression. The poem is a reminder that despite all of the obstacles, there is still hope.
The Role Of Activism
Langston Hughes’s poem ‘Harlem’ is an expression of the plight of African Americans in America at the time, and a call to action. The poem is a reminder of the importance of pursuing one’s dreams in spite of the obstacles that may be in the way. The poem can be seen as an encouragement to persevere, and a reminder of the power of hope in the face of hardship and oppression. It is a reminder that despite all of the obstacles, there is still hope. Hughes also underscores the importance of protest and activism in achieving social and economic equality for African Americans. He suggests that by pursuing our dreams, and standing up for what is right, we can create a more equitable society for all.
The Legacy Of Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes’s poem ‘Harlem’ is now seen as a classic of African-American literature, and has been widely studied and analyzed by literary critics. The poem has been an inspiration to many writers and activists who have followed in Hughes’s footsteps, and a reminder of the importance of pursuing our dreams, in spite of the obstacles that may be in the way.
Hughes’s poem ‘Harlem’ can be seen as a powerful expression of the plight of African Americans in America at the time. Hughes captures the emotion and despair of the deferred dream scenario, and the poem speaks to the hearts of many African Americans. The poem is a reminder that despite all of the obstacles, there is still hope, and social and economic equality can be achieved through hard work and perseverance.
