Langston Hughes and the Poetry of Social & Religious Constructions
Langston Hughes was an American poet, playwright, and novelist whose work focused on the issues and challenges facing African Americans living during the early 20th century. His writings often explored the concept of identity and how it was shaped and altered by a combination of social and religious constructions. His poem “Thank You, Ma’am” appeared in his most famous anthology, The Weary Blues, which was published in 1926. This poem is one of Hughes’ most iconic works and sheds light on the intricate and multifaceted relationships between the powerful and powerless, adults and children, and men and women.
The story of “Thank You, Ma’am” follows a young African American man, Roger, who encounters a woman, Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, in the streets of Harlem late one night. As Hughes describes in the poem, the woman is “large and very dark” and “tired but she’s strong.” After a brief altercation in which Roger attempts to steal the woman’s purse, she reaches out to him with a comforting embrace and warm conversation instead of punitive or scornful words. This is a stark contrast to the way many adults would treat a young delinquent like Roger, and Hughes’ poem reveals his criticism of the harshness with which younger generations are often judged and treated.
Through the poem, Hughes attempts to illustrate the power of empathy, tolerance, and compassion, as it is Mrs. Jones’ kindness that helps to transform Roger into a better person, inspiring a newfound sense of responsibility and respect. He also examines the complicated relationship between adults and children and the need for connection and understanding. In effect, Mrs. Jones serves as a maternal force in Roger’s life and is the figure of discipline and guidance that he needs but has been lacking.
In addition to its exploration of themes of identity, Hughes “Thank You, Ma’am” also serves as a social critique of the wider inequalities between people of different ages, races, and genders. He emphasizes the inhumane treatment of children and the “blindness” of privilege that can come with adulthood. This poem is an example of Hughes’ skillful use of language in revealing the complexities of our social and religious systems, and how these systems can both oppress and empower.
The African-American experience
The African-American experience was an especially prevalent theme in Hughes’ works. Throughout his life, Hughes was active in the Harlem Renaissance, which was a cultural movement of art, music, and literature that changed the landscape of American culture in the early 20th century. His poetry, including “Thank You, Ma’am”, explores questions of morality, justice, and injustice that were largely inspired by his own personal struggles with racism and prejudice in America.
Hughes spoke frequently of the need to stay connected to one’s roots and culture, which is a major theme in “Thank You, Ma’am”. In a letter to his mother in 1949, Hughes wrote “life for us here [America] is very hard; but I still remember my African past and still pick up a few things…about our former lives, our struggles and our joys.” Here, Hughes acknowledges the importance of his own past and the connection to his identity and culture. This is reflected in his work “Thank You, Ma’am” which focuses on the complexities of racial and economic inequality.
Another key theme in the writing of Langston Hughes is the power of education. He wrote frequently of the importance of knowledge and the need to understand and appreciate both one’s own culture and the cultures of others. This too is a theme in “Thank You, Ma’am”, in which Mrs. Jones imparts wisdom to Roger, inspiring him to strive for a better life. By sharing her knowledge and life experience, Mrs. Jones is able to give Roger the tools and motivation to become a better person. Hughes’ poetry often stresses the power of education and knowledge, and this is a major theme in “Thank You, Ma’am”.
The Role of Language and Communication
The story of “Thank You, Ma’am” is an excellent example of the power of language and communication. As Mrs. Jones speaks to Roger, we can see the ways in which language can be used as a tool for social transformation. While Mrs. Jones speaks in a calming and understanding tone, her words carry a great deal of weight and wisdom. Through the poem, Hughes demonstrates how even small interactions can have an immense impact on an individual’s perspective and identity.
Furthermore, Hughes’ use of language conveys a great deal of emotion and emotionality. There is a richness and complexity to his writing that can be felt on a deep level. For example, Hubbard states that, while the entire piece is extremely evocative, the most powerful lines are, “Her hand opened like a flower and she grasped him in her big soft hand.” At this moment, we can see a shift in Roger’s mindset from one of aggression and distrust to one of understanding and warmth.
Through the poem, Hughes is able to explore and analyze the deeper meanings behind language, social interactions, and relationships. He is able to use language as a tool to invoke empathy and understanding, which can lead to social transformation.
The Impact of Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes was an influential writer, poet, and novelist of the Harlem Renaissance. His works have had a lasting impact on American culture, both in terms of literature and social reform. By writing about his own experiences as an African American, Hughes was able to explore and express the complexities of the human condition and inspire readers to think more deeply about the issues of race and ethnicity in the United States.
In “Thank You, Ma’am”, Hughes is able to convey a wide range of themes and messages. His use of language is incredibly powerful and evocative, making it a timeless and impactful piece of literature. The poem speaks to the importance of kindness and compassion, as well as the power of education and understanding. By exploring these themes, Hughes was able to create a story that speaks to both the social and religious constructions of identity.
Today, Hughes’ works remain as a testament to his writing and social activism. They continue to challenge readers to explore themes of race, gender, and identity, while serving to inspire dialogue and thought. “Thank You, Ma’am” is a fantastic example of this, and is a powerful reminder of the impact of literature and language.
The Role of Symbols and Metaphors
Throughout the poem “Thank You, Ma’am”, Hughes employs a variety of symbols and metaphors to further enhance the emotional and poetic power of his story. For example, the woman in the poem, Mrs. Jones, is often referred to as a “large and very dark” figure. This metaphor serves to emphasize her strength and power, and is reflective of Hughes’ insights into racial identity and inequality. Similarly, the image of Mrs. Jones’ hand “opening like a flower” to grasp Roger is symbolic of the powerful connection between them.
The symbols and metaphors in “Thank You, Ma’am” are especially effective in conveying the ways in which Mrs. Jones is a symbol of hope and redemption for Roger. Her acceptance and understanding is a transformative experience for him, and the imagery Hughes uses to describe this moment is extremely powerful. In this way, Hughes is able to explore the deeper meanings of the poem and the themes of compassion, understanding, and acceptance.
The use of symbols and metaphors in Hughes’ writing is an important tool in communicating both emotion and meaning. By using vivid and evocative imagery, he is able to create a vivid and powerful narrative that speaks to important themes and ideas.
The Significance of Characterization in ‘Thank You, Ma’am’
Characterization is one of the most important aspects of Hughes’ poem “Thank You, Ma’m.” The characters of Mrs. Jones and Roger serve as symbols for their respective social classes. Mrs. Jones is an older, working-class African-American woman who demonstrates compassion, understanding, and grace to a younger, troubled African-American man. This scene serves as a reflection of the relationships between powerful and powerless, adults and children, and men and women. The poem also depicts the journey of Roger from a selfish, confrontational character to one of gratitude and appreciation.
Hughes’ use of characterization in this poem demonstrates the power of empathy and understanding. Through his depiction of Mrs. Jones, Hughes highlights the importance of paying attention to one’s environment and not judging another person without knowing their circumstances. Not only is Mrs. Jones kind and accommodating to Roger, but she also seeks to help him better understand the consequences of his actions and replace destructive behavior with positive ones. This characterization serves to emphasize the power of connection and understanding in human relationships.
Hughes’ use of characterization also sheds light on his own views on social and religious constructions. By connecting Roger’s journey to the broader African-American experience, he is able to explore issues of morality, justice, and injustice. These characters serve as a powerful representation of the struggles and triumphs of the African-American community in the early twentieth century.
In “Thank You, Ma’am”, Hughes was able to use characters to explore complex themes and ideas. Through his powerful and thought-provoking characterization, Hughes was able to create an emotionally compelling story that speaks to the power of empathy and understanding.
