“Evaluation of ‘Critical Essay on ‘Theme for English B’’”
“Evaluation of ‘Critical Essay on ‘Theme for English B’’”
“Critical Essay on ‘Theme for English B’”, written by Chris Semansky, is just that: an analytical essay on Langston Hughes’ poem “Theme for English B”. The article is a dissection of the author’s insight on the subject matter. The paper provides a detailed assessment of the content of Langston Hughes’ work by providing the reader with perspective on Hughes’ possible thoughts about people and the way they view themselves as well as others and how it affects their own judgments about themselves. The author strengthens his evaluation with background information about the poet. The writer of the article speculates that the poem is actually self-biographical. Chris Semansky’s insight provides a unique perspective on the interpretation of “Theme for English B”. His observations are worded appropriately and concisely, and it is easy for one to comprehend how he would arrive at such conclusions. While one point made by the author is contradictory to something read elsewhere during the course of study for Composition 2, most of the content of this particular essay were dead-on. After reading this analysis, one feels as though they have a deeper understanding of the poem and the thought process Langston Hughes may have applied when writing “Theme for English B”.
Mr. Semansky highlights several very legitimate, very interesting points in his assessment Hughes’ work. He writes, “…Hughes suggests that the self, rather than being coherent and autonomous, is actually the effect of relationships.” (Semansky, “Critical Essay on “Theme for English B”) Upon reading this statement, one realizes that, as people, we do apply others’ assessments of ourselves when defining who we really are. Whether this is something one “should” do is irrelevant; it is a reflexive act ingrained in us from infancy. As a society, one’s self-worth is contingent upon others’ acceptance of us. Hopefully this “checking in” of sorts diminishes
“Critical Essay on ‘Theme for English B’”, written by Chris Semansky, is just that: an analytical essay on Langston Hughes’ poem “Theme for English B”. The article is a dissection of the author’s insight on the subject matter. The paper provides a detailed assessment of the content of Langston Hughes’ work by providing the reader with perspective on Hughes’ possible thoughts about people and the way they view themselves as well as others and how it affects their own judgments about themselves. The author strengthens his evaluation with background information about the poet. The writer of the article speculates that the poem is actually self-biographical. Chris Semansky’s insight provides a unique perspective on the interpretation of “Theme for English B”. His observations are worded appropriately and concisely, and it is easy for one to comprehend how he would arrive at such conclusions. While one point made by the author is contradictory to something read elsewhere during the course of study for Composition 2, most of the content of this particular essay were dead-on. After reading this analysis, one feels as though they have a deeper understanding of the poem and the thought process Langston Hughes may have applied when writing “Theme for English B”.
Mr. Semansky highlights several very legitimate, very interesting points in his assessment Hughes’ work. He writes, “…Hughes suggests that the self, rather than being coherent and autonomous, is actually the effect of relationships.” (Semansky, “Critical Essay on “Theme for English B”) Upon reading this statement, one realizes that, as people, we do apply others’ assessments of ourselves when defining who we really are. Whether this is something one “should” do is irrelevant; it is a reflexive act ingrained in us from infancy. As a society, one’s self-worth is contingent upon others’ acceptance of us. Hopefully this “checking in” of sorts diminishes
Cited: Semansky, Chris. "Critical Essay on 'Theme for English B '." Poetry for Students. Ed. Mary Ruby. Vol. 6. Detroit: Gale Group, 1999. Literature Resource Center. Web. 8 Mar. 2013. Kennedy, X. J., and Dana Gioia. ""Theme for English B"" Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. 11th Ed. New York: Pearson Longman, 2007. 979-80. Print.