“Hold fast to dreams, For if dreams die, Life is a broken-winged bird,That cannot fly.” Langston Hughes held onto his dream of equality for all, and shared his dream with the world through his poetry. Hughes’ poetry speaks of the struggles of African Americans in their daily life, as well as his personal experiences of social injustice (Langston Hughes Biography). Hughes gave a voice to many experiencing social injustices in the African American community as well as outside of it (Langston Hughes Biography). Hughes’ works talk mostly about the lives of African Americans as well as his personal interests and a hope for a better America (Langston Hughes Biography). Langston Hughes’ focus on the civil rights of every American and contribution …show more content…
The poem was written in 1935, and is an inspiring narrative voiced by an African American (Langston Hughes: Poems “Let America Be America Again” summary and analysis”). Throughout the poem, the narrator contrasts his hopes for America with the reality of life for those not in the dominant racial, religious, and social groups (Langston Hughes: Poems “Let America Be America Again” summary and analysis”). The purpose of “Let America Be America Again” is to show the issues of racial and social equality ("A Study Guide For Langston Hughes "Let America Be America Again""). Hughes uses imagery to help the reader imagine how great America could be with equality for all, and to allow the reader to feel the oppression of inequality the writer is feeling. Also, sound devices including rhyme and alliteration are found in Hughes’ poem. The rhyme scheme of the poem generally follows an every other line pattern. For example, in lines five and seven Hughes uses rhyming words dreamed and scheme. Alliteration is found in line thirty saying, “humble, hungry and mean,” because of the repetition of the “H” sound (“What literary devices does Langston Hughes use in “Let America Be America Again”). Sensory devices found in “Let America Be America Again” are personification, symbolism, and a paradox. The use of Personification is found throughout the poem, because