Freedom Train by Langston Hughes

Many have different definitions for freedom but I believe freedom is having the right to speak, think and act as an independent individual and in the poem “Freedom train”, this train is said to be a train of freedom where blacks and whites are treated as equals. This poem was written during the period of slavery and is about a man desperately waiting for the arrival of the freedom train and hoping it is truly what it is said to be. I decided to focus more on this theme because I believe it is most obvious and clearly stated in this poem.
Langston Hughes "Freedom Train" is a very imaginative poem and his idea of being free is clearly stated from the beginning of this poem. However, although he clearly states everything he wants the reader to think deeper about his words before everything becomes clearer.

Firstly the repetition of “freedom train” throughout the poem places emphasis on the persona’s anticipation for freedom to come. The poem starts of by him wanting to know all about a special train he keeps hearing of. He says, "I read in the papers about the Freedom Train/I heard on the radio about the Freedom Train." It sounds like the persona is ignorant about what exactly this train represents and he is very curious, because he uses words and phrases like “who/why/I hope/I’m going to checkup”, to portray a sense of ignorance about the train in the 10th, 15th, and 17th lines respectively. There are also many rhetorical questions asked which portrays a sense of ignorance. It also signifies that the subject of freedom is an elusive concept and not something they are used to.

Getting towards the heart of the poem Hughes becomes more concerned about the rules and right on this train. He doubts that most African Americans would be...

... middle of paper ...

...the train as a metaphor to say that freedom is a very powerful concept that is worth propagating because it essential. Another reason I believed the train to be a metaphor was because of the Underground Railroads which the blacks used to escape from slavery. When you think of African Americans and freedom, you also think of the Underground Railroads because the history of how African Americans gained freedom revolves around the railways and how they had to cross it to enter the “land of the free” in which most of them where caught and massacred.

To conclude the poem is an historical allusion and the theme of freedom is well portrayed. The irony of this poem is, as Hughes points out, the fact that the Americans were celebrating this Freedom Train and documents assuring our freedom, while African Americans were still not considered equal citizens by white Americans.