Student Question

What is the theme and subject of "The Weary Blues"? Can you personally relate to it?

Quick answer:

The theme of "The Weary Blues" revolves around the emotional power of music, particularly jazz and blues, as a means for African Americans to express and alleviate their suffering. Set during the Harlem Renaissance, the poem highlights music's role as an emotional release and source of comfort amidst life's challenges. Many can relate to this theme, as music universally helps people process emotions and find solace during difficult times.

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This poem, written in 1923, is about an African American jazz musician who is playing and singing in a nightclub. The speaker of the poem is observing the singer, noting how physically tired or "weary" the man is as he sings. The man is able, however, to sing throughout the night because the music gives him the strength to continue. Through the music, the singer expresses his loneliness and sadness in his own past and present life, for the music exposes his innermost pain and suffering. The music is an emotional release, however, thereby providing the singer comfort.

The theme of the poem and the reader's ability to relate to the poem are closely connected. On a basic level, the theme concerns the close connection between African Americans and their music and how they have historically used music to relieve the pain and suffering in their lives, as was seen in the Negro spirituals during the times of slavery....

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I believe this was Hughes' purpose in writing the poem in 1923. But the poem also speaks of humankind in general. I believe the poem transcends race because all of us have used and do use music and poetry to help us through difficult times. When I'm asked what kind of music I like, I always says that it depends on my mood. If I'm feeling down, I want to listen to something that will either lift my spirits or will allow me to wallow in self-pity for a few hours so I can work through my pain.

Langston Hughes is one of my top five favorite poets, and his poetry was written to expose readers to African heritage and tell us what it was like to be black in America. Reading his poetry taught me about African Americans, but I can always take something universal from his poetry as well. His poetry always speaks to me.

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What is the poem "The Weary Blues" about, and what is its theme?

The Weary Blues is about a man who is in a jazz or blues bar, playing the piano and singing the blues. That is what the poem is about at its most basic level.  Hughes wrote this during the Harlem Renaissance, a time in American history where in Harlem and other cities were African Americans were concentrated, great literature, art and music were created.  Blues was especially loved during that time period, and the people would go to the bars and coffee houses, and listen to and sing the blues.  It was a way for them to vent their stresses and worries, and to take a load off after a hard day of working to live and survive in a world that was against them.

If you have ever felt down about anything, you can hopefully relate to the poem.  Especially if you really get into music, and if music helps you to feel better and vent your emotions.  That's what blues were for these people, and Hughes describes this man, his passion, his intensity, and relates how the music moved all of them.

The themes of the poem are being alive through music, the power of music, and the common suffering of the black people during this time period.  I hope that those thoughts help a bit; good luck!

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