"Let America Be America Again" and Sociology

Paper Summary:

Langston Hughes was one of the world's most important interpreters of the African-American experience in the United States during the decade prior to World War II and the subsequent Civil Rights Movement. Hughes published a variety of famous works, including the thought-provoking poem, "Let America Be America Again". The paper shows that in this poem, Hughes presents a strong awareness of the American dream, yet talks about it as if it were a thing of the past, even to those who had once believed in it and even profited from it. The paper shows how Hughes cleverly uses a method of physical disconnection to demonstrate how Negroes, at the time, never experienced the American Dream. The paper also shows how Hughes' writing style is influenced by his race and culture, showing hints of jazz and blues in the poem.

From the Paper:

"Many critics say that Hughes' poem is written in the tone of a black sermon, as if he were preaching to his audience (Wagner, p. 311). Others say that the poem is written in a conversational style, in which Hughes enables the speaker and audience to interact with one another. Still, the rhythm and rhymes contribute to the overall effectiveness of the poem, in which Hughes conveys his thoughts, emotions and beliefs about America in the 1930's."

More papers on "Let America Be America Again" and Sociology:

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• Poem Review # 93960 : "Let America be America Again"

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