Preview

Summary Of Let America Be America Again By Langston Hughes

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
486 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Summary Of Let America Be America Again By Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes, poem, Let America Be America Again, captivated my attention due to my current pursuit in American history; presently I am taking US History II. The diction of this poem is simplistic, allowing the reader to cognitively grasp the historical importance and theme. Hughes, suggest to the readers that the America that is held to such high esteem is merely an idyllic dream still awaiting realization; however, fulfilment of the true American dream must become an actuality to all citizens, not just the privileged few. The diction of the poem uses simple language; using denotation to state exactly what ia meant with no hidden meaning or agenda. “O, yes, /I say it plain, / America never was America to me, / And yet I swear this oath--/America

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Often American authors imply what it is like to be an American in their poetry. Essentially, Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman share similar thoughts in their literature. In “I, Too” and “I Hear America Singing”, the authors use textual evidence to support their opinions on America. In Walt Whitman’s poem, “I Hear America Singing”, Whitman explains how hard labor in America is music to him. Whitman says “I hear America singing, the varied carols i hear”, meaning how these jobs differentiate, but they all come together as one large working society. In comparison, Langston Hughes discusses society in his poem “I, Too”. Hughes wrote his literature in an era of time where racism and segregation was strong. Hughes states how he wasn’t allowed to…

    • 242 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I think that Hughes’ mantra of “Let America be America again” is accurate, as he doesn't want to revert America to a past decade, which is controversial, because the further back in time you go, the fewer rights minorities have, he wants to make America the dream that people thought it was so long ago. The American dream was being able to come from nothing and being able to provide for your family in a country that was totally free and equal. I think that America as a whole is rooted in things like patriotism, liberty, and equality, but we are having trouble making this more widespread as one of the freedoms we have is freedom of speech, and with being able to say and think what you want there are people who don't think that everyone is equal.…

    • 217 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Have you ever felt out of place from those around you? In “Theme for English B”, Langston Hughes discusses how the speaker goes about this paper assignment. He questions the definition of simple. He wonders if the truth is the same between him, his classmates and his professor. Will the papers be the same between himself and all the other white students in class? This paper assignment has the speaker realize that there is more in common between himself and the other students than just race.…

    • 1255 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    America is the land of the free but lately it doesn’t seem like it. With all the police brutality and the rasict comments by the President of The United States and his followers. In a poem written by Langston Hughes called “ Let America be America Again” it talks about how America is not free for everyone. So Langston Hughes poem relates to modern America because people are still judged by skin color, social class and people would do anything for money. Today people are still doing what ever it takes to make money.…

    • 183 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I hear America is an example of him giving honor to those who are living their lives to make America better place. Langston Hughes is pointing out bigotry in America. They work hard to make America a better place also. Both show how they are trying to make America a better living place. Both clearly are stating what is being done to make America a awesome place again.…

    • 203 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hughes’ writings generally focused on African-Americans and the opportunities that they deserved to have. In “Let America be America Again”, Hughes believes “there’s never been equality for me, nor freedom in this homeland of the free” (Hughes 14-15) and if he did not do anything to try and change that then he failed the goal that he set. America as a country was created on the basis that all men shall be equal, however African-Americans did not share that right. In the same poem, Hughes said that he wanted for the people to “Let America be America again / Let it be the dream it used to be.” (Hughes…

    • 776 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Hughes is very earnest in his poem. I feel this way because he is very serious throughout the entire poem and is showing his deep feelings of his opinions on America. I have also gotten the impression that Hughes is very optimistic in his poem. He says "I am the young man, full of strength and hope…" this is a direct statement saying he believes in positive outcomes and is hopeful. Another feeling I have while reading this poem is he is very serious. He is making it clear that his intention is not to be funny and that he wants his poem to be taken sincerly. I also believe that Hughes is being very nostalgic. He is missing what America once was and is yearning for the past. I believe this due to the fact that he uses the statement " Let America be America agin, let it be the dream it use to…

    • 547 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the excerpt from “Let America Be America Again” by Langston Hughes, the speaker explores his own dream for America because he wants the greatness of America to return, but he accepts the reality of America and embraces it. He wants equality and equal opportunity for everyone, but states that his experience with equality and freedom exist not for him. The description given by the speaker shows a “pioneer on the plain” seeking a place where they can live freely (3). In reality, the pioneers face inequality and will not live this “American dream” in the idealized land of the free depicted as a “great strong land of love” (7). But, they will become objects of segregation and will not live this sweet American dream. His use of my and…

    • 188 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The pity and boldness in the voice of the narrator in, “Let America Be America Again” is easily noticed by the reader of the poem. Hughes feel that African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, and Asians all deserve the same opportunity to the live the American Dream just like the Caucasian-Americans but instead the minorities always get the “short end of the stick”, even though they put in the same or greater efforts. Lines…

    • 872 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the poem “Let America be America Again” by Langston Hughes, the speaker emphasizes a change that needs to be made in America. Langston Hughes brings about the problem of how America has veered from its original dream as a land for the free, now it operates being ran by oppressive powers starving the American people. He speaks to the people of America and the minorities of America in particular, to bring a change and take back what they've worked so hard and long for, our freedom.…

    • 447 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the poem “Let American Be America Again” by Langston Hughes, the author portrays America as a place where people try to escape their old life of oppression and struggles to this so called “American Dream”. But, what they find is “the same old stupid plan of dog eat dog”. Hughes sees that American is being seen as a ideal utopia while he actually views America as a place where there are too many obstacles in the way to achieve the American Dream. The dream is only stood in the way by the obstacles we create. For the dream to come true, change must happen.…

    • 393 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    After reading “Theme for English B,” “Let America be America,” and “I,Too.” I have concluded that all the poems are talking about how even though they might not all be the same color or have the same purpose in America, it is still everyone’s home. You learn from different people and they learn from you and what ,might be easy for you might not be easy for them because sometimes some people in this country are treated better than others. In the poem ‘Let America Be America” there is a line that says “O, let America be America again—The land that never has been yet—And yet must be—the land where every man is free” and I compare this line with a line from the poem “ Theme for English B” and it says “Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink,and be in love. I like to work, read, learn, and understand life.…

    • 497 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In “Let America be America Again”, Langston Hughes speaks on his opinions of the American Dream. Throughout the poem, Hughes compares his hopes and dreams for America with the reality of life for those outside of certain cultural, religious, and societal groups. This is a dramatic and diverse poem, fluctuating from peaceful moments to angry explosions. The author starts by mentioning of the key vision of America, where there is the hope for liberty and equality. Yet for the oppressed races, American life has been one of persecution. Writing now in the first person, the author empathizes with all struggling Americans, "I am the farmer/ the worker/ the Negro/ I am the people." With the gift of optimism, the writer urges "We, the people, must reclaim the land/ and make America again!"…

    • 413 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The poem “I, Too, Sing America” by Langston Hughes is a direct response to Walt Whitman’s “I Hear America Singing”. Whitman's poem is about those who make up America and he says how each worker sings their work, loud and proud. However, this does not include colored folks. Hughes, in his poem, states, “I, too, sing America./ I am the darker brother./ They send me to eat in the kitchen”.…

    • 770 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The new found connotation of America is negative. People need to open their eyes to realize that the American Dream is right underneath them. In this case Langston Hughes writes:…

    • 711 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays