Harlem, The Weary Blues, And Theme For English B

Langston Hughes is a writer, novelist, and poet known for such poetic works as "Harlem," "The Weary Blues," "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," and "Theme for English B." These poems are some representations of his activist activity against the oppression and injustice suffered by black people.

Indeed, Hughes's works are directed at African Americans. These four poems positively portray the joys and obstacles experienced in the life of the black working class. Langston Hughes played a major role in the Harlem Renaissance, also known as the awakening of black intellectual, literary, and artistic life, which occurred in many cities, including Harlem. (Poetry Foundation). The most recurring themes in his works are racial injustice, discrimination,

In the poem “Harlem”, the author explains that the “dream” is subjective to those who live in Harlem and want a better life and future. The dream itself is to be treated equally to provide a better future and environment for the next generations. However, the poem also conveys the message that this dream could not be achieved due to injustice and prejudice from other people. Line 12, “Or does it explode?”, suggests that when a dream does not come true, a feeling of resentment is created in the individual; the imagery of an explosion could refer to the destruction of the dream of African Americans after going through obstacles and prejudices made by other races. In the same way, “Theme for English B” depicts a black student's struggle for identity when he is overwhelmed by describing the ways in which ethnicity separates him from his class and teachers. He says, "I'm the only colored student in my class" (Hughes, line 15). Such assignment led the young man to reflect on the definition of his own identity and what truly makes him. Like other students, he also likes to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love (Hughes, line 22). Admitting that he is not that different from his peers, he challenges the use of social practices such as