Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes was an African-American writer of the Harlem Renaissance era. Born in Joplin, Missouri, in 1902, Langston Hughes had a rough upbringing because of all the changes that were occurring at the time. A major upset in his life was when his father left to Mexico to continue his studies in law. When Hughes was seven or eight, he lived with his grandmother who told him stories of important historical African American heroes, such as Frederick Douglas, Sojourner Truth, and she even took him to hear W.E.B. DuBois. Such tales encouraged young Langston to do great things in his life as an African-American growing up in a prejudice world.

Later on, Langston Hughes decided to move to New York, more specifically, Harlem, New York. Alain Locke, a black writer and educator, described it as, “Here in Manhattan is not merely the largest Negro community in the world, but the first concentration in history of so many diverse elements of Negro life…In Harlem, Negro life is seizing upon its first chances for group expression and self-determination.” (Bernard, p.52) Here he was introduced and also became, apart of the Harlem Renaissance. “New York attracted a large influx of blacks from the West Indies and even Africa.” (Bernard, p.53) This can better be called The Great Migration. In Harlem, Langston Hughes was exposed to the soothing sounds of Jazz and the Blues. “Hughes’ poetry absorbed the rhythms of blues and jazz…The sights and sounds of Harlem, it’s music…inspired Langston more than his classes in mining and engineering.” (Bernard, p.30) “The Weary Blues” and “Trumpet Player,” are two poems that demonstrate that Langston Hughes’ poetry was influenced by the music of Harlem.

In the poem “The Weary Blues,” Hughes discusses his experience of watching another black artist. The fact that he is writing about his observation of a musical artist demonstrates that his poetry is influenced by music. Hughes writes, “Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon, I heard a Negro play.” (DY, p.594) Hughes is describing the artist’s actions at the moment. He describes even where this performance is taking place in Harlem, “Down on Lenox Avenue the other night.” (DY, p.594) Hughes uses the sound of the music, the actions of the artist, and his surroundings in order to form eloquent poetry. He uses intricate detail about the sounds of the music, in order to help the reader feel as if they are there themselves.