Langston Hughes was a popular one of the most popular African American poets of the 20th Century. He was popular amongst the people as an artist and his work was very well known by many black people. A lot of black people regularly engaged in Langston Hughes' work in "black" newspapers and they would be present in great numbers to hear him speak at other venues and black colleges and to say the least, purchase his books. One of the many reasons that Langston Hughes' poetry gained popularity is due to the fact that without changing direction, his poetry addressed African Americansubjects in a way in which could be understood. Not only that, he engaged what was going on within their present, but also their collective memories of their past as...show more content...
Most of the works during the Harlem Renaissance had to do with addressing feelings of estrangement and marginality experienced by "the smaller number" in American society discovering to inspire those troubled by pervading racism and labeling. Some excerpts of poetry in which I examined in which relates to the primary themes during the Harlem Renaissance would be that of Langston Hughes poem, "Let America Be America Again". In terms of how this poem relates to the primary themes, I would like to refer to the specific lines of "I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart, I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars. I am the red man driven from the land, I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek–And finding only the same old stupid plan Of a dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak." In regards to Zora Neale Hurston's poems relating to the primary themes during the Harlem Renaissance era, her works "How It Feels to Be Colored Me" relates to this time period and the specific line in which I sought was line 8, "The position of my white neighbor is much more difficult. No brown specter pulls up a chair beside me when I sit down to eat. No dark ghost thrusts its leg against mine in bed. The game of keeping what one has is never so exciting as the game of
America is known to be the country of liberty. The definition of Liberty is simply the reason America was created; it is a place where everyone is treated equal with hopes of achieving their American dream. As a result, many people dream of coming to live in the wonderful country known for its freedom. However, America does not seem to hold that value as it used to. In the poem "Let America Be America Again", the poet Langston Hughes expresses his disappointment with the country. The poem was written in 1935 where discrimination and inequality still exist. In the poem "Let America Be America Again", the poet Langston Hughes uses repetition and alliteration in order to show desirement for a better country and disappointment of the country America came to be, and also imagery in order to exemplify the struggles of those who came to live in country they thought was dream. One poetic device Hughes uses is repetition. Throughout the poem, repetition has been used in order to strengthen his tone and make his point. Hughes starts off the poem with a desirement for America to be the dream he has always dreamed of:
Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a home where he himself is free.(1–4) In this stanza, disappointment and desirement is shown. " Let is be the dream it used to be"(2) shows disappointment with how America is not what is used to be. Thus the poet demands America to be what it used to be. In addition to repetition, Hughes also use personification. Hughes personifies America to the pioneer in order to emphasize the hard work and sacrifice a person came to just for this country. Furthermore, Hughes exposes the reasons why he is disappointed: I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart, I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars.
I am the red man driven from the land, I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek–And finding only the same old stupid plan Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.(19–24) Hughes uses the repetition of " I am" in order to express his disappointment that there is no equality or freedom in the country known for its freedom. Although Hughes isAfrican American, he uses the voice of different minority groups in
Ever since the first colonists landed on her eastern shores those making passage to America have all been seeking a new life. Whether it was those escaping religious persecution like the Quakers or Puritans in the seventeenth century, Eastern Europeans searching for work in the nineteenth century, or even immigrants today desperately attempting to give their families better lives, they have all sought after what is known as the American Dream. The American Dream rooted in enlightenment philosophy has been the beacon of hope for all, however in the past decades the dream has changed and it has left many to wonder did the dream ever exist at all. The American Dream is one of equal opportunities and freedom to all in America. It is for even the poorest of people to have a chance to strike it rich and become prosperous. In his book James Truslow Adams states the American dream is "a dream of a social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are,...show more content... That Americans have attempted and nearly reached it but never having fully achieved it. In "Let America Be America Again" the people of America are all described as being slaves to what they have to do "I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil. I am the worker sold to the machine. I am the Negro servant to all" (Hughes). Later on he describes America as truly never existing "O, let America be America again– The land that never has been yet– And yet must be" (Hughes). The idea that no one has truly been or will be free in America, that they are just enslaved by their own desires. The rich and their wealth and their poor in their quest to achieve wealth are ultimately bound to their desires. The American Dream is freedom which is impossible to find as people become bound to spend their whole lives trying to get
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Then the Harlem Renaissance came along the American dream shifting from wanting everything to just wanting certain things to change. In the poem "Let America Be America Again" wrote by Langston Hughes in this poem he says "America was never America to me"(Hughes 1). His American dream was that everyone would be free and equal, that it wouldn't be like the rest of the world that is "... dog eat dog ..."(Hughes 5). He points out that those who work hard struggle to live no matter their race or country of origin. The immigrants dreamt of freedom and an easier life to find out it wasn't much easier. At one point he says "Except the dream that's almost dead today"(Hughes 10) in this line it sounds as if he's saying the American dream is dying. The American Dream during the Harlem Renaissance was that they wanted all to be equal and free and not have to fight for...show more content...
In this era many genres of writing appeared each representing the same dream but portrayed in a their own ways. An example is the fantasy /science fiction short story "The Electric Ant" by Philip K. Dick was wrote in 1969. A man finds out he is actually a robot with the nickname electric ant. He starts to question reality after finding out that he has a "quasi–organic brain" (7 Dick) that can be altered to perceive only what he wants it to. He then starts to mess with it the first time it causes him to no longer hear, see, or smell anything. He then decided to cut the tape that makes his brain run thinking he'll have time to change his decision but, then to have it uncoil too fast. This causes him to die then slowly all of reality fades away (7–11 Dick). In this story he did everything by choice. A very underlying part of this story is that he had free will to do what he wanted with his life. This relates to people in this era in the fact that everyone wants to be able to choose their own dream and how to
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"Let America Be America Again" takes a sullen, down–hearted approach. Hughes evokes all of the wonderful, patriotic images of America, but also makes the reader question these images. The reader is forced to remember some of the atrocities that are also America. Throughout the poem Hughes asks rhetorical questions to cause the reader to pause and think. For some America never lived up to it's reputation, and for these some Hughes uses the anaphora "I am the" and continues to list all of the people who were never able to obtain the American Dream, "I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil. I am the worker, sold to the machine. I am the Negro, servant to you all." The poem's mood is that America should return to what it was designed to be rather than what it ever actually was. Hughes ends the poem with a concept that is not unknown to American's, Hope, Hughes ends his poem with hope...show more content...
"let America Be America Again" has a gloomy, heavy, sulky view of America. It questions as to whether America is all it's cracked up to be, a place where anyone can be whatever and do whatever. Whereas "I Hear America Singing" has a rose–colored, on cloud nine, view that paints America as a utopia. It makes everyone look like little gears that, no matter what, keep on turning to make things run as smoothly as possible. Both of these selections are biased , one positive and one negative, but they both make the reader paint an image of the America that the selection points out. To me America is a dream and ideal place to live, they don't restrict one's thoughts or feelings. If they did then Hughes and Whitman wouldn't have been able to release these two pieces of work and, in turn, there would be a lot less emotion in the work today, and work without emotion is work that doesn't belong in
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For centuries, many people in the world come to the United States for looking for a dream, which they will have a better life. The "American Dream" is a standard phrase that people know what it is. And, the States give them a promise of freedom, and opportunities to get their dreams. Therefore, I think about the perspectives of a dream, and I ask myself: why do people work hard to get to a destination that they want? Before working hard, they have to have a real purpose, so they must have a dream. The dream can be freedom, good–life, but it can be changed through each generations.
The American Dream can be different because it depends on the identity. The poem "Let American Be American Again," Langston Hughes writes about his definition about...show more content...
From 1850 to 2013, there was a statistic that 41,348,100 immigrants lived in the United States (Zong, and Batalova), and those numbers can be higher in the future. The English is not their languages, and they work hard to get a better life. Working condition is one of the least discussions of immigrant experience, because there are many people who are illegal immigrants, and they have to work for long hour at lowest wage, and there still have immigrants are legal but they work to take care families . I think there are many dreams such as getting a good education, or owning a house, but the root to make all dreams become true is money. When a person want to have a god life, he or she must work hard, and make more money. This can be lower than the dream of Jefferson, or Langston, but I think there shouldn't have any distinctions in any dream because if a dream comes true, a person can have a better life, or the racism won`t exist. Likely, in the "2012 State Of The Union Address: Enhanced Version" President Obama gives a statistic of the immigrants that there are "24% of U.S. scientists, and 47% of U.S. engineers". Those numbers tell me that the immigrants are working hard to adopt this
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Everybody has a variety of opinions about America. It can be either superior or inferior, but what about if someone asked around if you thought that America was a dream? You would get many different answers from many different people. In Langston Hughes's poem, "Let America be America Again," America does not sound like a dream to everyone based on the examples that he listed. On the other hand, In Walt Whitman's poem, "I hear America Singing," you get a very different perspective of America and it does not sound like a dream anymore, so either way, it is up to the person and their perspective on America to answer the one question that everyone wants to answer, "is America a dream for everyone?" I think that many people had different opinions on their dreams of America. Based on the evidence in Langston Hughes 'poem, "Let America Be American Again", I do not think that America was a great dream for everyone. Each person had a different experience here in the states, and that could either be a good experience or a bad one. It could have gone either way. In the poem, there were two lines that really...show more content...
In this poem, everybody seems happy to be here and happy to be heading to work. This poem gives a very different perspective on America based on the people's point of view. At the start of this poem, Whitman lists many workers and their jobs. He describes them singing and being strong and independent. One part of the poem says, "The delicious singing of the mother, or the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing, Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else." This quote is very inspirational and it shows how American workers are able to be independent and free. They are able to work for themselves and no for anybody else. This poem makes America really sound like the 'Home of the Free', so yes, America does sound like a dream for Get more content
An American by definition is a native or citizen of the United States. An American is much more than a person who resides in the United States, they are what makes up America. An American is someone who has invested their life helping America grow, they also respect their country for giving them the opportunities that other countries do not offer like freedom and equality. First, to define what an American is, it's important to know who Americans' are. In the poem "Let America Be America Again," by Langston Hughes states "I am the poor white. I am the negro bearing slavery scars. I am the red man driven from the land, I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek–" these are the people who make up America. The whites, the negro, the red
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Let America Be America Again, by Langston Hughes applies a colorful word picture of a depressed America in the 30's. To the bountiful existing in America, the idealism showcased as the American Dream has liberated their possession. In this beautiful poetic statement, Langston Hughes grants to voice the unacknowledged Americans' burden of how American was expected to be, had develop into them, and could pursue to be once again. Using a colloquial style, the author grants the speaker and listener to intertwine with one another. The question addressed is that America is not the democratic model of its entire people. I notice the original speaker begins in an adequately typical quatrain stanza; nonetheless, when the listener conceded to answer, the stanzas starts to become erratic expressing the passion felt as well as the desperation of the message. The listener's feedback consists of the main idea of the piece, equating the democratic model to the circumstances of those who are victims by virtue of race, age, or economic status. The poet's precise use of alliteration in terminology functioning as "pushed apart" (19) and "slavery's scars" (20) accentuate the constant battles and alienation experienced by less fortunate Americans....show more content...
I am the worker sold to the machine..." (31–32) the poor white, the Negro, the red man, the immigrant, the young man, the farmers, factory workers, and servants are all the voices uplifted who built America. In spite of their vast addition to this country, they all still view America simply as a dream that is attainable, but constructed to be unachievable to each and one of
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The poem "Let America Be America Again" (658) is written by a famous writer by the name of Langston Hughes who is knowledgeable in American literature. Hughes writes this specific piece about the suffrages of what African Americans have encountered and uses a combination of ethos, pathos, and logos to express his thoughts. In the book Arguing About Literature: A Brief Guide by John Schilb and John Clifford gives a brief credibility description of Hughes to let readers knows he knows what he is talking about. He also uses history and emotion, both powerful strategies, to create a connection through his writing. Although he views majority of victims of poverty as African Americans, Hughes mentions others for those outside of the African Americanrace can relate to this poem. In history and today's society, people of all discrimination suffer powerlessness with lack of opportunity, equality, freedom, and fairness for immigration. Having an opportunity can be granted for some but for others they have to work hard to prove themselves. You know those stories you hear or articles that are discussed in history class about people risking their lives? Those exact same people put their life on the line for an opportunity. Hughes mentions, "And torn from Black Africa's strand I came/To build a 'homeland of the free'..." (Hughes lines 49–50). It's ironic how people weren't given a choice to come to this land that is considered 'free'. Africans were forced from their homes and separated
Langston Hughes grew up in Missouri and through his hard work and dedication was able to attend Columbia University but decided to leave abruptly after just one year (Biography.com). Hughes produced many famous and inspiring works one in particular was "Let America Be America Again". The Poem "Let America Be America Again" was first published in 1936 in Esquire Magazine(Dreier, Peter). He wrote this poem to express his frustration with the inaccurate representation of the American Dream. "Let America be America again" contradicted peoples thoughts about the American dream with peoples actions which were in direct opposition of what the American dream stood for. Hughes speaks for immigrants and what they believed America would be like when...show more content...
A lot of slaves viewed America as the land of the free and when they arrived they were abruptly greeted with a starkly different reality. They were greeted with a land that would enslave their mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters. Native Americans were here from the beginning and were torn apart from their land in order for the settling population to earn a higher profit. These individuals came over from Europe in order to extend their empire and to grow their empire. The immigrant would come to America in search of a better life. Upon arrival they would often find a country with the very same limitations as the land they have just left. The Opposition is very surprised that the stories they hear on their way to America don't mesh with the reality that they are faced when they get there. Hughes communicates a very optimistic attitude regarding the future of America. This man is showing us all the wrong America has done to their citizens but trusts that we have the ability to change. All the tools for change are in place, it is just up to the leaders to enact that change. He recognizes this idea may be a tough sell but in order to be the moral leader of the world this is necessary. America has always been at the forefront of political and social change and this must not change. Hughes' poem is very insightful and can be used during any period of time it is a call upon those in power regardless the level to use their powers for Get more content
The American Dream or Nightmare? In "Let America Be America Again," Langston Hughes addresses the reality of inequality and discriminative behaviors of the American people in the pre–Civil War era. Many Americans during this time felt the American Dream was just an illusion because they can never get the opportunity to make it their reality. In this poem, Hughes voices these silent Americans' concern of how the founding principles of America are not being fulfilled unless a person is wealthy or powerful. He shows the contrast between what America claims to be and what the minority have experienced. Hughes use of repetition, "America [It] never was America to me" (lines 5, 10, 77), emphasizes how America failed him and other...show more content...
In addition to alliteration, Hughes applies imagery to help the reader to visualize different minority groups. For example, "the poor white, fooled and pushed apart" (line 19) represents the average middle class, "the Negro bearing slavery scars" (line 20) represents the African American, "red man driven from the land" (line 21) represents the Native American Indians, and "immigrant clutching the hope I seek" (line 22) represents refugees seeking for the American Dream. Despite grueling work and ambition, these minority groups always remain outside the margin of success and comfort. Throughout the poem, Hughes challenges the American people's ideas on equal opportunities and notion of freedom. In the third stanza, "O, let my land be a land where Liberty / Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, / But opportunity is real, and life is free, / Equality is in the air we breathe." (Hughes, 11–14), the poet is alluding to the Statue of Liberty. He uses this symbol of freedom to express his belief that freedom should be more than a symbol, it should be an actuality for everyone. Also, Hughes use of quotation marks, "Nor freedom in this 'homeland of the free'" and "To build a 'homeland of the free.'" to prove the contradictory dream of freedom, opportunity, liberty, and equality. This does not consist with slavery and forcing Native Americans off their land. Hughes
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"Let America be America Again" is a powerful piece of poetry by Langston Hughes written in 1938. The American dream is achievable. Achievement and success comes quite naturally for some, especially if one comes from the right family, has the right skin color, and even has the drive to succeed. However, "Let America be America Again"(Hughes 945) is not a poem about the privileged, but a poem that shows the struggles of the common folk; the average joes who are not willing to give up their own American dream. The oppressed, burdened, enslaved, mistreated, and abused are portrayed in this poem. Still, most Americans believe America is free, and the American dream is alive and attainable. Hughes brings out such a strong message in this work that it is not just relevant to the year it was written (1938), but has an extremely strong purpose and voice today.Langston Hughes did not have the easiest life. One can see those struggles, especially through this poem. He was an African Americanauthor born in 1902, and raised by his grandmother in his early childhood. He then went to live with his...show more content... The dream Hughes constantly talks about in "Let America be America Again", is prominent. This dream consists of not only personal success, but success as a culture and as a society. America should bleedequality, yet people still have to fight for equal rights. Hughes does an excellent job depicting this philosophy in his poem. The way he flows from point to point, always reiterating that the dream is very much alive, albeit not for him, is what grabs the reader's attention. The struggle depicted in this poem, can be relatable to many social groups. Hughes comes across as if he believed that one day America would be free and equal to all. The people of America, have to keep fighting even in today's society to make that dream
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Racism and discrimination can change people forever. It has an impact on society and the economy too. When people who can work are denied the opportunity to, and when people are prevented from playing an active role in their communities feel like they can't. The roles of racism and discrimination can alter the way family, friends, neighbors and colleagues behave. People who have done nothing wrong question themselves and their abilities to achieve. Poets such as Langston Hughes, Lorna Dee Cervantes and Paul Laurence Dunbar have all experienced or witnessed some form of discrimination and racism. These poets lived in an era when racism and discrimination were social norms and their poems give us insight into their lives and how racism has affected them....show more content...
Langston Hughes discusses his hopes for America with the reality of life for those outside of the socially and economically dominant racial, religious and social groups. He kindles his passionate dreams of those who came to America with the idea to be safe from the oppression they endured in their country; but their dreams of America have never come true. The poem begins with Hughes desire for America to be what it once was; however he states satirically, that this image of America is false. Americans practiced slavery and oppression, consistently destroying the land's native people in order to build their settlements. This idea of "America" only exists in dreams. However, Langston Hughes begs "Let America be the dream that dreamers dreamed." For poor people such as, Native Americans, slaves and immigrants, America has only ever been an unmerciful world where the weak are trampled on and despite their hard work and ambition, they will always remain outside the extremity of success and Get