Langston Hughes 'Let America Be America Again And' On The Road

Langston Hughes was an American poet during the nineteenth century, best known for his writing of "Harlem," "Let America Be America Again," and "On the Road." Hughes' literary work typically highlighted the harsh reality of racism between white and black American citizens during the early 1900s. Through his short story "On the Road," Hughes spread awareness through a new perspective that showed the African Americans' side of a complex time in history. Following the protagonist, Sargeant, the reader gets a first-hand experience of living in America as a person of color. The reader sees Sargeant out in the freezing cold snow, on the verge of starvation, beyond tired, going door to door, trying to find a place to stay for the night. From Sargeant's

Dorset. In typical society, Reverends are viewed at the top of the hierarchy pole, seen as a group of people who can do no wrong, and are always willing to lend a helpful hand. However, that was not the case in "On the Road," and it certainly is not the case today. Having exhausted all his options and having nowhere else to go, Sargeant turns up at Reverend Mr. Dorset's house, begging for a place to stay. The Reverend could not have cared less about Sargeant's situation; he did not even give him the time of day to hear him out; instead, he said no and shut the door right in Sargeant's face (Hughes 1). Similar scenarios happen today; people often cast aside certain members of society simply because they look different or harbor different viewpoints than what one is accustomed to. Hughes brought this outdated mindset to light, calling out those who possess a similar mindset to the Reverend. Someone who claims to love and help everyone until they are forced to act upon their words. The Reverend went against everything he was supposed to stand for; by turning away, Sargeant the Reverend showed his true colors that do not align with the ideology he claims is so important to

He wanted a way to broadcast the struggles of African Americans in hopes that it would educate the reader into actively changing how the world works. Formatting his work in the way of a story allowed Hughes to bring these issues to the forefront of the reader's mind. One can not help but be drawn into this seemingly outlandish story; Hughes captivates the reader, grasping their attention immediately. He was brilliant with his writing, meticulously connecting each detail to form a much greater picture. Using his talent, Hughes connects particular scenarios to real-world issues in "On the Road," allowing the complex topics to be seen adequately. He connects the reader to the issues faced in the story focusing on the struggling minorities, which is very prevalent today. The religious hypocrisy pinpointed in this story was refocused on the idea that the readers could relate to or notice the similarities in their lives. Hughes' did a fantastic job creating a story that not only captivates the reader but also brings awareness to the problems of American