Symbols Of Truth in Langston Hughes' On The Road

Langston Hughes uses beautiful symbolism and imagery in his literary work “On the Road”. Hughes offers up the idea that if one is to open ones heart; life will provide unlimited abundance. In this literary work, Langston Hughes uses nature to demonstrate and symbolize the unwillingness of his main character, Sargeant, to participate in life. Hughes also demonstrates the use of a person’s anger and instinct to survive and how they both can be used as powerful forces in breaking down racial barriers. Another more impacting symbol Hughes uses is Jesus Christ as a metaphor. Hughes uses this to show how people experience life and how the traditional church values contradict each other when it comes to the acceptance of human beings. Therefore after reading “On the Road”, the views of nature, racial barriers, and values are explained to the readers and the power behind them.

To begin with, Langston Hughes uses nature to demonstrate the distinct relationship amongst blacks and whites during the depression. The writing shows the relationship between the different races amongst the men and women. Hughes use of the snow and night express a simple point, but through the use of these metaphors, he enables the story to be a little less invasive and more appealing to the reader. His main character, Sargeant, is left doubting the integrity of life. Hughes wrote, "Sargeant didn't see the snow, not even under the bright lights of the main street, falling white and flaky against the night. He was too hungry, too sleepy, too tired"(296). Langston Hughes stated like this because at the time Sargeant was one minded and did not take the time to notice the beauty and lessons that nature was showing to him. For almost two hundred years white people hav...

... middle of paper ...

...argeant did not see Jesus Christ in the real world, but in his dreams he was able to experience what he needed. Hughes instills that just because you can not see something does not mean that it does not exist. Also that most will only hear what they want to hear.

In the end we find that Langston Hughes use of symbolism re-enforce the points he is expressing. In “On the Road” nature, racism, and values are the three main points and Hughes was trying to express. Sargeant faced many hardships and tasks in his life. Langston Hughes wrote about these hard times from his experiences and the time period he was in. The tension that arose throughout the story by having a down and out black man survive, by using his faith and power of will. No society or way of life was going to take Sargeant down without a fight and Hughes echoed that throughout the entire literary work.