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Countee Cullen And Langston Hughes

1027 Words5 Pages

Gracee Reeves
Julie King
English 252
9 April 2023
Title
“We shall not always plant while others reap” (“From the Dark Tower, line 1). The Harlem Renaissance was a time of great cultural and artistic growth in the African American community, and the two of its most significant poetic voices were Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes. While the two writers had different styles and philosophies, their works can be compared and analyzed to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and social climate of the time. Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes were influential writers during the Harlem Renaissance who had similar themes of freedom and inequality, were a voice to the voiceless, and used symbolism in their works. By examining these key elements, …show more content…

They contributed to the formation of historical, cultural, and social movements by using their art to illuminate the challenges and victories of their society. For Hughes, this meant embracing the strength and beauty of African American culture. He championed equality, denounced racism and injustice, and embraced African American culture, comedy, and spirituality through his poems, novels, plays, essays, and children's books. Hughes said “He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool. Sweet Blues! Coming from a black man’s soul. O Blues! In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone, I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan” (“The Weary Blues,” lines 13-18). This demonstrates how Hughes appreciated the artistic richness of African American culture and music. On the other hand, Cullen adopted a more conservative perspective on the battle for black emancipation, emphasizing respectability and education as the means to equality. Additionally, Cullen developed an ideal that incorporated both cultures. He eventually came to feel that art was beyond race and that it could be utilized to bridge the gap between blacks and whites. This is supported when Cullen says, “oblivious to look and word they pass, and see no wonder that lightning brilliant as a sword should blaze the path of thunder” (“Tableau,” lines 9-12). Despite their differing approaches, both writers were celebrated for representing those who could not speak for

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