Langston Hughes ­ (1902 ­ 1967) ­ Some background: During his phenomenally creative life, Langston Hughes published seventeen books of poetry, seven short story collections, twenty­six dramatic works, two novels, and two autobiographies. He also edited anthologies and translated works of other writers. While some criticize Hughes for remaining limited by his persistent focus on the folkways, language, and basic issues surrounding lower­class African Americans and regret that his portrayals of common black life sometimes failed to present a progressive view of his race, Hughes himself always insisted that he was an honest, social poet who did not know enough about upper­class black people to write about them. He felt that while the poor black residents of Harlem may not have worn shined shoes, been to Harvard, or listened to classical music, “they seemed to me,” he said, “good people” who possessed a life force, survival instinct, and dignity worthy of his artistic efforts and personal sympathy. Also criticized by a new, more militant generation for supposedly not successfully addressing the issues and politics of black power, Hughes’s writings, nonetheless, continue to speak to readers who value his clear, vividly rendered, and honest vision of his people. They value his celebration of their language, culture, and spirit so beautifully permeated, in his most memorable poems, by the rhythms of blues and jazz. Hughes’s rich, sensitive rendering of an authentic black voice and his fatherly role as mentor for a whole generation of aspiring African American literary artists assure his place as one of the most influential African American poets and writers of the twentieth century. (From http://www.enotes.com/topics/langston­hughes​
) Assignment: Annotate and Illustrate Choose a poem​
from Langston Hughes (provided) to do a close reading of and show your annotations. Remember, when completing an annotation, take serious consideration of the following elements: ●
Structure of the poem which explains its progression along with the major turning points ●
Language that denotes regionalism, education of speaker, the purpose or argument being made, etc. - is the poem conversational, colloquial or does the speaker use formal language? ●
Tone: Is the poem celebratory, depressed, confused? Does it shift or change? ●
Speaker/Persona: What does the poem reveal about the speaker? Who is their audience? ●
Imagery: What images does the poem use to create meaning or set the mood? Identify the important literal images or figurative images (i.e. similes or metaphors) and what they might represent ●
Symbolism: What images become symbolic (are meant to represent a bigger idea)? ●
Any other characteristics that are specific to your poem - rhyme, rhythm, humour, etc. - every poem is different ●
Your personal reactions/thoughts to specific lines and ideas that stand out to you. These can include connections such as : text to text, text to self, text to world ●
A short summary/explanation of the poem. This can also include a note on the theme/main message 1. Complete a thoughtful annotation of the poem including as many of the above elements as possible. Your work should be thorough and represent a close reading of the text. 2. On the bottom half of your page, create an illustration that you feel represents a specific aspect, or overall meaning of the poem Harlem What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— Like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags Like a heavy load. Or does it explode? ­ Langston Hughes(published 1951) Dream Variations To fling my arms wide In some place of the sun, To whirl and to dance Till the white day is done. Then rest at cool evening Beneath a tall tree While night comes on gently, Dark like me­ That is my dream! To fling my arms wide In the face of the sun, Dance! Whirl! Whirl! Till the quick day is done. Rest at pale evening... A tall, slim tree... Night coming tenderly Black like me ­ Langston Hughes (published 1926) I, Too I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table When company comes. Nobody’ll dare Say to me, “Eat in the kitchen," Then. Besides, They’ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed— I, too, am America. ­ Langston Hughes (published 1945) Dreams Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken­winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow. ­ Langston Hughes