Langston Hughes I Too Analysis

Paper 1 DRAFT
Jennifer Gustafson
7/16/14

Langston Hughes was an American social activist, novelist, playwright, columnist and is recognized as one of the most significant poets of his time. Hughes was the first truly successful African American poet and his writing was extremely influential for the African American community during the Harlem Renaissance. He felt a commitment to speak out against black oppression and recognized that, at that time, the United States was a place to be deeply criticized, if not rejected altogether. This paper will analyze Hughes ' writing and his struggle with national identity. Langston Hughes portrayed through his writing what life was like for African Americans. Hughes wanted to depict his negro
According to the poem, when segregation ends all men, regardless of skin color, will sit together at the same table as equals. It appears that Hughes did not believe the United States provided a joyous experience for all its citizens. The poem portrays a feeling of determination and that feeling grows stronger through each stanza. "Nobody 'll dare say to me, 'Eat in the kitchen, ' Then." (926). Hughes had the courage to write of taboo issues, and confronted black oppression. He analyzed the identity of the black man in the United States at that time. At that time, there were laws that kept black people separate from white people on buses, restaurants, theaters, public restrooms, and even the drinking water was separate. "They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes." (926). Editor, Sara Constantakis, considers the metaphors of this poem, "The table in Hughes 's poem represents status, power, and opportunity, which the darker brother is denied by being relegated to the kitchen. The kitchen represents segregation and lack of opportunity. When blacks sit at the same table as whites, true equality will result". (104). Hughes had the courage to say how wrong segregation was. He claimed that he is just as American as white Americans so he should have the same privileges. He demanded to be recognized as an equal and has hope for tomorrow. Hughes claims that once white
The truth of the poem is more complex than this and requires that readers carefully consider Hughes 's words. They reveal a deeper truth and a warning: once the black narrator has grown strong, whites will no longer dare to exclude him. The joining of black and white people envisioned in the poem is not a willing union, but one that occurs because black Americans will no longer tolerate segregation." (Karmoil 107-108)
Karmoil 's analysis of Hughes 's poem is extremely accurate. Hughes is stating that once the black community comes together and takes pride in their national identity they will grow strong enough to take down segregation. "I, Too" ends on a hopeful note, with the idea of tomorrow being something to look forward to. Hughes knows that the black man will continue to grow strong, as he does. Hughes is planting the idea that soon African Americans will be strong enough in their national identity to be equal to the white man. Throughout his writing, Hughes helped African Americans find happiness in their racial individuality. He urged his community to push for equality. This dissection of Hughes 's writing illustrates his hope for genuine unity in the United States. Genuine national unity was the only