Langston Hughes Questions and Answers
Langston Hughes
Summarize the poem "Madam and Her Madam" by Langston Hughes.
The poem "Madam and Her Madam" by Langston Hughes explores the strained relationship between Alberta, a black domestic worker, and her wealthy white employer through first-person narration. Alberta...
Langston Hughes
What is the meaning of Langston Hughes' poem "Long Trip?"
Langston Hughes' poem "Long Trip" uses the sea as a metaphor for life, emphasizing its vastness and the sense of isolation it can bring. The poem's repetitive structure underscores life's monotony...
Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes' "Berry" Analysis and Summary
Langston Hughes' short story "Berry" explores themes of racism, inequality, and exploitation through the character Milberry Jones, a black man hired at a summer home for disabled children. Despite...
Langston Hughes
What is the meaning of Langston Hughes' poem "Dinner Guest: Me"?
The meaning of Langston Hughes' poem "Dinner Guest: Me" revolves around the artificial and condescending attitude of white hosts towards African Americans. Despite their attempts to appear...
Langston Hughes
Imagery and Theme in "In Time of Silver Rain" by Langston Hughes
"In Time of Silver Rain" by Langston Hughes explores themes of renewal and rebirth, using springtime as a metaphor for new life and hope. The poem's imagery vividly depicts the transformation of...
Langston Hughes
Summary and Themes of Langston Hughes's Play "Soul Gone Home"
Langston Hughes's play "Soul Gone Home" centers on the confrontation between a deceased son and his grieving mother. The son accuses his mother of neglect and blames her for his hardships. Themes...
Langston Hughes
Analyze each stanza of Langston Hughes' poem "I Dream A World."
In "I Dream A World," the speaker envisions a world free of scorn, where individuals actively avoid judging others. This change would foster love and peace. The speaker dreams of universal freedom,...
Langston Hughes
Literary Devices and Structure in Langston Hughes's "As I Grew Older"
Langston Hughes's poem "As I Grew Older" explores themes of dreams, oppression, and perseverance. The poem is structured as a single stanza in free verse, using symbols like the "sun" for dreams and...
Langston Hughes
Why didn't Mary and Bill marry when they were young in "Early Autumn"?
Mary and Bill didn't marry when they were young due to an unspecified, seemingly minor issue that arose between them, leading to their separation. Mary impulsively married someone else, while Bill...
Langston Hughes
What are the literary devices used in "The Dinner Guest: Me" by Langston Hughes?
Langston Hughes uses several literary devices in "The Dinner Guest: Me." Imagery contrasts black and white to highlight racial divides, while color imagery includes red elements like "fraises du...
Langston Hughes
What is the summary of "Early Autumn" by Langston Hughes?
"Early Autumn" by Langston Hughes portrays a chance meeting between former lovers, Bill and Mary, in Washington Square, NYC. Their past breakup left Bill bitter, while Mary, now married and working...
Langston Hughes
What is a summary of Langston Hughes' "Berry" and its genre?
Langston Hughes' "Berry" is a satirical short story that critiques racism and exploitation. It follows Milberry Jones, an uneducated African-American man, who works at Dr. Renfield's Summer Home for...
Langston Hughes
An analysis of the characteristics and literary works of Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, known for his insightful, colorful portrayals of black life in America. His works often explored the themes of racial pride, social...
Langston Hughes
Discuss Langston Hughes' poem, "Cross."
Langston Hughes' poem "Cross" explores themes of identity and racial heritage. It reflects on the speaker's mixed-race background, with a white father and a black mother, leading to feelings of...
Langston Hughes
In "Salvation" by Langston Hughes, what is the thesis, the narrator's conflict, and how is tension created? Why are...
In "Salvation," Langston Hughes explores a young boy's conflict between societal expectations of religious salvation and his personal experience of not feeling "saved." Tension arises from the...
Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes's contributions and influence during the Harlem Renaissance
Langston Hughes significantly contributed to the Harlem Renaissance through his poetry, novels, and plays that celebrated African American culture and highlighted social issues. His works, such as...
Langston Hughes
Analyze "I Look at the World" using the TPCASTT method.
The TPCASTT analysis of "I Look at the World" reveals a poem about empowerment and overcoming oppression. Initially, the title suggests a literal observation, but it figuratively denotes the...
Langston Hughes
Why does Nancy Lee retain her pride and self-worth despite the committee's actions in "One Friday Morning"?
Nancy Lee retains her pride and self-worth despite the committee's actions due to Miss O'Shay's supportive words. Miss O'Shay, who also faced discrimination as an Irish woman, encourages Nancy to...
Langston Hughes
Analysis of Langston Hughes' "Life Is Fine"
"Life Is Fine" by Langston Hughes explores themes of resilience and the will to live despite life's hardships. The speaker contemplates suicide but ultimately decides to embrace life, emphasizing the...
Langston Hughes
What is the theme and message of "Refugee in America" by Langston Hughes?
The theme of "Refugee in America" by Langston Hughes is the struggle for equality and the dichotomy between freedom and liberty for African Americans. Despite being free from slavery, they were not...
Langston Hughes
Analyze the poem "Freedom Train" by Langston Hughes.
"Freedom Train" by Langston Hughes contrasts the symbolic Freedom Train, which traveled the U.S. in 1947 without African American staff, with real trains marked by racial segregation. The speaker, an...
Langston Hughes
What is the meaning of Langston Hughes' poem, Genius Child?
Langston Hughes' poem "Genius Child" explores society's fear and suspicion towards highly intelligent children, viewing them as threats to the status quo. The poem compares genius children to eagles...
Langston Hughes
What is the structure, theme, symbols, and moral and historical context of Hughes' poem "The City"?
Langston Hughes' "The City" is an eight-line poem divided into two quatrains with an ABCB rhyme scheme. The poem uses simple metaphors and personification to depict the city as a bird with wings and...
Langston Hughes
How can I analyze Camille Dungy's poem "Because it looked hotter that way" and compare it with Langston Hughes's...
To analyze Camille Dungy's "Because it Looked Hotter That Way," consider its acrostic form using words from Gwendolyn Brooks's "We Real Cool," which creates abrupt narrative shifts symbolizing life's...
Langston Hughes
What can we learn from Langston Hughes?
There is lots to learn from Langston Hughes, but some of the main takeaways are about the struggles and strength of the African American community. Hughes brought attention to problematic, racist...
Langston Hughes
In "Early Autumn" by Langston Hughes, how does Mary's past relationship with Bill affect her identity?
Mary's past relationship with Bill affects her identity by instilling a sense of regret and lingering affection. Her impulsive decision to marry someone else left unresolved feelings that have...
Langston Hughes
What is the meaning and structure of Langston Hughes' poem "Sun Song"?
Langston Hughes' poem "Sun Song" uses repetition of the word "sun" to evoke emotional connections and employs opposites to illustrate the vastness of songs that can be sung and shared. The poem...
Langston Hughes
Comment on Hughes's use of imagery in the poems "Dreams" and "Harlem."
Imagery in Langston Hughes’s poem “Dreams” includes images of life and death. He uses metaphors comparing life to a bird and a field, as well as personifying dreams by stating that they “die.” In...
Langston Hughes
How did Langston Hughes influence society and how does he continue to do so?
Langston Hughes was a very important writer in American history, specifically in the Harlem Renaissance. His work helped shape the future of American literature and even helped change politics. He...
Langston Hughes
What is a metaphor in poetry and how does Langston Hughes utilize it?
A metaphor in poetry describes something as if it is something else, without using "like" or "as," to imply a comparison through imagery. Langston Hughes employs metaphors to convey deeper meanings...
Langston Hughes
What were Langston Hughes' major contributions to American Literature?
Langston Hughes was a pivotal figure in the Harlem Renaissance, renowned for his poetry, novels, essays, and plays that centered on the African American experience. His works, like Montage of a Dream...
Langston Hughes
What is ridiculed in Langston Hughes' poem "Green Memory"?
In "Green Memory," Langston Hughes ridicules the tendency to overlook the violence of war when profiting from it. The poem critiques how wartime benefits those not directly involved in combat,...
Langston Hughes
In "Berry," do Mrs. Osborn's objections to keeping Berry stem from her racist attitudes?
In "Berry" by Langston Hughes, Mrs. Osborn's only objection to Milberry Jones is his race (and her racism). He is Black, and she cannot think what to do with him when the employment office sends him...
Langston Hughes
What forms are used in Langston Hughes's poetry?
Hughes’s poetic forms are unusually diverse.
Langston Hughes
In Hughes's play "Soul Gone Home", what does the mother's intention to buy flowers for her dead son signify?
The mother's intention to buy flowers for her dead son in Hughes's "Soul Gone Home" signifies her genuine, albeit complex, feelings for him. Despite resenting his birth for contributing to their dire...
Langston Hughes
What lesson did Langston Hughes believe Booker T. Washington imparted to the next generation of blacks in America in...
Langston Hughes saw Booker T. Washington as a vital influence in the construction of Black consciousness in America and that his messages would continue to be important for future generations.
Langston Hughes
What literary elements does Langston Hughes frequently use?
Langston Hughes frequently employs metaphors, similes, and symbolism in his poetry. In "Mother to Son," he uses a metaphor to compare life to a difficult staircase. In "I, Too, Am America," the table...
Langston Hughes
Compare and contrast Langston Hughes' poems "As I Grew Older" and "Dream Deferred."
"As I Grew Older" and "Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes both explore the theme of dreams but with contrasting moods. "As I Grew Older" is hopeful, showing the speaker overcoming obstacles to...
Langston Hughes
Formal features and rhythmic structure of Langston Hughes' "Dream Boogie"
Langston Hughes' poem "Dream Boogie" employs a jazz-influenced rhythmic structure, characterized by a syncopated beat and conversational tone. The formal features include irregular line lengths,...
Langston Hughes
How does Langston Hughes in "Visitors to the Black Belt" and "Notes on Commercial Theatre" express concerns about the...
Langston Hughes, in "Visitors to the Black Belt" and "Notes on Commercial Theatre," critiques the superficial understanding and appropriation of Black culture by white society during the Harlem...
Langston Hughes
In the poem "Love Song for Lucinda," who is the speaker?
The speaker in "Love Song for Lucinda" is not explicitly identified, but is often interpreted as Langston Hughes himself. The speaker appears as an enthralled yet cautious lover, using vivid...
Langston Hughes
What does Langston Hughes mean by "why democracy means / everybody but me?"
Langston Hughes's line "why democracy means everybody but me" reflects his critique of racial inequality in America. Despite the ideals of democracy and freedom, Hughes highlights that Black...
Langston Hughes
What is the poet's point of view in "Oppression" by Langston Hughes?
Hughes's poem "Oppression" is written in a style that might be said to be conversational, but it is the poet speaking through the poem, not a character. The point of view might be considered "first...
Langston Hughes
What literary elements does Langston Hughes use in "Who's Passing for Who?"?
Langston Hughes employs several literary elements in "Who's Passing for Who?" including characterization, point of view, and situational irony. He uses characterization by not naming the white...
Langston Hughes
Can you explicate the poem "Old Walt" by Langston Hughes?
"Old Walt" by Langston Hughes explores Walt Whitman's creative process, emphasizing his methodical "seeking" and "finding" approach. Whitman began with questions, often uncovering more queries than...
Langston Hughes
Can you explain the lines of the poem, "Sister," by Langston Hughes?
Langston Hughes' poem "Sister" involves multiple speakers discussing Marie, a woman involved with a married man. The poetic persona, likely reflecting Hughes, questions why Marie chooses such a...
Langston Hughes
How do themes and techniques in Langston Hughes's "Pushcart Man" and "Drama for Winter Night" reflect individual's...
Through the themes and techniques Hughes uses, in "The Pushcart Man" and "Drama for Winter Night," Langston Hughes's characters are both embedded and alienated. In "Drama for Winter Night," the "good...
Langston Hughes
Are the ideas in "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain" by Langston Hughes still relevant today?
The ideas in "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain" by Langston Hughes remain relevant today as black artists still face pressures to conform to white standards and stereotypes. Despite progress...
Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes' exploration of American identity in his poetry
Langston Hughes explores American identity in his poetry by highlighting the experiences and struggles of African Americans. Through vivid imagery and rhythmic language, his work reflects themes of...
Langston Hughes
What rhetorical devices and strategies does Langston Hughes use in "That Word Black"?
Hughes uses a variety of rhetorical devices in his short story "That Word Black." The piece consists of a conversation between Simple, a black man, and an unnamed white person ("Where do you white...