Student Question

What is the meter or verse form of Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem"?

Expert Answers

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In "Harlem", Hughes uses free verse, a type of poetry that is clearly recognizable as poetic form, but does not hold to a consistent meter or rhyme. Although there is some rhyming, the rhyme scheme is incosistent. Similarly, Hughes alters the length of each line and stresses different syllables in each line.

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