Modernist author project (1)

A:

Langston Hughes wrote in several literary genres. However even though he wrote plays, novels, and stories he is best known for his poems. When it comes to poetry Hughes is someone who everyone knows for his great poems. Some his poems have freedom and race as the central theme.

Hughes was one of the earliest innovators of the then new literary art form jazz poetry. He was also known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance. Hoping to escape racism Hughes father moved to Cuba and later on Mexico.  During the 1800’s and 1900’s is known that African American suffered discrimination. This might had influenced Hughes when he wrote some of his poems. We all can agree that he felt proud of being African American. One of his popular poems that present racism and pride is “You and your whole race”. Probably Hughes used this poem to criticized society for being ignorant and being racist towards other humans. Langston Hughes definitely wanted freedom for his people that is the message you can find in his poems.        

There is a connection between racism and freedom. When someone is discriminated they don’t feel free. That’s why freedom was an important thing that motivated Hughes to write poems. One of the poems where Hughes talks about freedom is “Democracy”. In this poem Hughes gives us the message that we need freedom because freedom is something necessary for humans. He concludes saying “I want freedom just as you.” This proves he wasn’t someone selfish who only thought in himself he wanted good things for everyone.

Langston Hughes is definitely someone who left us a legacy of poetry. Using his poems as social critics he showed he was against racism. He also used them to tell his readers that freedom is necessary in their lives. His poems will motivate us to give something positive to our society and express our ideas and thoughts.

B: 

"Freedom is a strong seed planted in a great need."  Hughes compares freedom with a seed planted a great need, This means that freedom is something essential that we must have.

"I want freedom just as you." Hughes is not being selfish. He talks directly to the readers and lets them know that everyone wants freedom.

"Life is for the living death is for the dead." Hughes tells us to enjoy life when we are alive. He also lets us know that once we are dead we are only dead.

"The past has been a mint of blood and sorrow. That must not be true of tomorrow." This is a perfect example of how the words rhyme. His message is to prevent negative things that can affect our future.

"I do not need my freedom when I'm dead. I cannot live on tomorrow's  bread." In this quote he argues that freedom is essential. He does it by saying that freedom is necessary when you are alive not when you are dead.