Langston Hughes Theme For English B Analysis
There are a lot of great poets, and among the greats is Langston Hughes. Langston Hughes’s poem “Theme for English B” talks about an essay he had to compose for his professor in college. The instructor informed the class that their essay should be one page and it should be about something deep. Hughes writes his essay based on his current background, his color, and how he is not different from the instructor, whom is white. Throughout his life Hughes experienced, racial and economic discrimination which became the primary focus of his writings. Langston Hughes was born February 1, 1902 in Joplin Missouri. He is an American writer who was an important figure in the Harlem Renaissance, and made the African American experience the subject of his writings, which ranged from poetry and plays to novels and newspaper columns (encyclopedia). In his poem “Theme for English B”,
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Hughes writes through the perception of a young, black scholar. Although he is not the character in his poem, they both have similarities. Hughes attended Central High School in Ohio, upon graduating he went to Columbia University in New York. The young man in the poem attended a college on the hill of Harlem. In his poem Hughes wrote “I am the only colored student in my class” (Hughes 10). During this time, African Americans faced racial oppression, Hughes father wanted to go to school to become a lawyer, but because of his race he was denied the opportunity. The character in his poem is living through the same thing, although he can attend college he is the only black in his class. This is a demonstration of how difficult it was for African Americans to get an education.
Another similarity between Hughes life and this poem is the fight for racial equality. Hughes talks about his race throughout the poem. He keeps calling himself colored, but he does not feel any different than the instructor, whom is white. He writes “I guess being colored doesn’t make me not like the same things other folks like who are other races” (Hughes 25-26). In this quote, he is expressing how being black does not mean he cannot like the same things as other races. Hughes loves humanity, he feels that no one should feel superior but everyone should feel equal. He demonstrated this in the poem by saying “You are white- yet a part of me, as I am a part of you. That’s American” (Hughes 31-33). This was said in his essay to his instructor whom is white. Yes, he was black and among the many African American writers expressing their desire for equality but he wanted everyone to feel as if their one and not separated by races. He writes “As I learn from you, I guess you learn from me- although you’re older- and white- and somewhat more free” (Hughes 37-40). Langston Hughes stance in life was that everyone can learn something from one another, if only the world could look beyond discrimination.
The young black scholar that Hughes talks about in his poem, is the same as him in the sense that he is an open- minded young man, whom is courageous enough to confront the reality of racism, all while being the only black in his class and with a white professor. Hughes exemplifies the same courageousness in his writings, but his work is expanded to a broader audience. He wanted to tell the stories of his people in ways that reflected their actual culture, including both their suffering and their love of music, laughter, and language itself (poets.org). Different things throughout his life influenced his work, “Theme for English B” was one of his many poems that in some way, was influenced by his own personal experiences or others around him.
In 1926 Langston Hughes became one of the leading activist in the Harlem Renaissance, a literary movement in the twentieth century.
It was centered in Harlem and represented the first great African American literary figures. Hughes and the character both share the fact they embody Harlem. In the poem, he wrote “But I guess I’m what I feel and see and hear, Harlem, I hear you: hear you, hear me- we two- you, me, talk on this page” (Hughes 17-19). Langston Hughes lived in Harlem, as well. Although he was one of the best- known writers during the Harlem Renaissance, his work was very controversial. During this time, many people felt that African Americans should be writing about uplifting stories and follow that of white literature. The character in his poem faces the same situation because he is writing an essay for his class, which is predominantly all- white, including his professor. He has a lot to lose from stating his opinion on racism and equality. He could be kicked out of class or receive a bad grade for his opinion, but he wrote how he felt despite the controversy that can stem from
it.
The final similarity between Hughes and his poem, is that he also shares the same love for music as his character in “Theme for English B”. “His devotion to black music led him to novel fusions of jazz and blues” (Rampersad). During this period music played an important role in poetry, Hughes was one of the many poets whose work was influenced by music. The character in this poem is no different. He wrote “I like a pipe for a Christmas present, or records- Bessie, bop, or Bach” (Hughes 23-24). Bessie is the name of blues singer and Bop is short for “bebop” a style of jazz developed in the 1940s.He expresses the same interests as the characters in his poems. Hughes wrote novels, short stories and plays, as well as poetry, and is also known for his engagement with the world of jazz and the influence it had on his writing (poets.org). In his life, he constantly looked for a way to be successful through a musical platform and it showed in his work because he often found himself incorporating it into his work, somehow.
Throughout the poem, Hughes shares information about the character’s life, such as where he is from, his age, where he has been, and colleges he has attended. Hughes could not stress enough that he is colored, but he feels the same as the whites. In conclusion, through his work you can tell that Langston Hughes was raised in the era when blacks had it rough. In the time that there was social inequality. Those troubled times shaped Hughes into the writer that he was, and helped him become one of the leaders of the Harlem Renaissance.
Hughes writes through the perception of a young, black scholar. Although he is not the character in his poem, they both have similarities. Hughes attended Central High School in Ohio, upon graduating he went to Columbia University in New York. The young man in the poem attended a college on the hill of Harlem. In his poem Hughes wrote “I am the only colored student in my class” (Hughes 10). During this time, African Americans faced racial oppression, Hughes father wanted to go to school to become a lawyer, but because of his race he was denied the opportunity. The character in his poem is living through the same thing, although he can attend college he is the only black in his class. This is a demonstration of how difficult it was for African Americans to get an education.
Another similarity between Hughes life and this poem is the fight for racial equality. Hughes talks about his race throughout the poem. He keeps calling himself colored, but he does not feel any different than the instructor, whom is white. He writes “I guess being colored doesn’t make me not like the same things other folks like who are other races” (Hughes 25-26). In this quote, he is expressing how being black does not mean he cannot like the same things as other races. Hughes loves humanity, he feels that no one should feel superior but everyone should feel equal. He demonstrated this in the poem by saying “You are white- yet a part of me, as I am a part of you. That’s American” (Hughes 31-33). This was said in his essay to his instructor whom is white. Yes, he was black and among the many African American writers expressing their desire for equality but he wanted everyone to feel as if their one and not separated by races. He writes “As I learn from you, I guess you learn from me- although you’re older- and white- and somewhat more free” (Hughes 37-40). Langston Hughes stance in life was that everyone can learn something from one another, if only the world could look beyond discrimination.
The young black scholar that Hughes talks about in his poem, is the same as him in the sense that he is an open- minded young man, whom is courageous enough to confront the reality of racism, all while being the only black in his class and with a white professor. Hughes exemplifies the same courageousness in his writings, but his work is expanded to a broader audience. He wanted to tell the stories of his people in ways that reflected their actual culture, including both their suffering and their love of music, laughter, and language itself (poets.org). Different things throughout his life influenced his work, “Theme for English B” was one of his many poems that in some way, was influenced by his own personal experiences or others around him.
In 1926 Langston Hughes became one of the leading activist in the Harlem Renaissance, a literary movement in the twentieth century.
It was centered in Harlem and represented the first great African American literary figures. Hughes and the character both share the fact they embody Harlem. In the poem, he wrote “But I guess I’m what I feel and see and hear, Harlem, I hear you: hear you, hear me- we two- you, me, talk on this page” (Hughes 17-19). Langston Hughes lived in Harlem, as well. Although he was one of the best- known writers during the Harlem Renaissance, his work was very controversial. During this time, many people felt that African Americans should be writing about uplifting stories and follow that of white literature. The character in his poem faces the same situation because he is writing an essay for his class, which is predominantly all- white, including his professor. He has a lot to lose from stating his opinion on racism and equality. He could be kicked out of class or receive a bad grade for his opinion, but he wrote how he felt despite the controversy that can stem from
it.
The final similarity between Hughes and his poem, is that he also shares the same love for music as his character in “Theme for English B”. “His devotion to black music led him to novel fusions of jazz and blues” (Rampersad). During this period music played an important role in poetry, Hughes was one of the many poets whose work was influenced by music. The character in this poem is no different. He wrote “I like a pipe for a Christmas present, or records- Bessie, bop, or Bach” (Hughes 23-24). Bessie is the name of blues singer and Bop is short for “bebop” a style of jazz developed in the 1940s.He expresses the same interests as the characters in his poems. Hughes wrote novels, short stories and plays, as well as poetry, and is also known for his engagement with the world of jazz and the influence it had on his writing (poets.org). In his life, he constantly looked for a way to be successful through a musical platform and it showed in his work because he often found himself incorporating it into his work, somehow.
Throughout the poem, Hughes shares information about the character’s life, such as where he is from, his age, where he has been, and colleges he has attended. Hughes could not stress enough that he is colored, but he feels the same as the whites. In conclusion, through his work you can tell that Langston Hughes was raised in the era when blacks had it rough. In the time that there was social inequality. Those troubled times shaped Hughes into the writer that he was, and helped him become one of the leaders of the Harlem Renaissance.