Racism in Hughes' Poetry

Paper Summary:

The poetic analysis examines the theme of racism within the poems; "Mother to Son", "Harlem, A Dream Deferred" and "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" by Langston Hughes. The paper compares and contrasts the varying levels of racism found within these poems. The paper demonstrates how Hughes suggests a wide variety of racial perspectives that define the African-American experience. The paper focuses on Hughes' metaphor of the African soul in relation to river symbolism.

From the Paper:

"The poem "Harlem, A Dream Deferred" first implies the symbolic use of a raisin to define the struggle and conflicts associated with racism in American society. The raisin is essential a single black man or a group of African Americans that are being affected by the sun (an allusion to the hotness of white racist hegemony), which could invariably "dry up" under the pressure. This overall scope of the poem refers to the dream of racial equality and freedom that is threatening the racial autonomy of urban neighborhoods, like Harlem. The existence of Harlem as a bastion of hope for African Americans to congregate within New York City is represented in the way that white society will either allow them their freedom or destroy it."

Sample of Sources Used:

• McMahan, Elizabeth. Literature the Writing Process (7th Edition). New York; Prentice Hall, 2004.

More papers on Racism in Hughes' Poetry:

• Poem Review # 131202 : "Race and Langston Hughes' Poetry"
• Analytical Essay # 136006 : "Langston Hughes on Racism"
• Essay # 89440 : "Langston Hughes' Themes of Oppression and Equality"

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