Langston Hughes? Influence on American Literature

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Langston Hughes was one of the great writers of his time. He was named the “most renowned African American poet of the 20th century” (McLaren). Through his writing he made many contributions to following generations by writing about African American issues in creative ways including the use of blues and jazz. Langston Hughes captured the scene of Harlem life in the early 20th century significantly influencing American Literature. He once explained that his writing was an attempt to “explain and illuminate the Negro condition in America” (Daniel 760). To fulfill this task, he wrote 15 volumes of poetry, six novels, three books, 11 plays, and a variety of non-fiction work (Daniel 760). He also edited over 50 books in his time (McKay).
James Mercer Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri February 1, 1902. He grew up in Lawrence, Kansas. His life was hard when he was young; his parents were separated with little money to go around, and he was very lonely. “Po’ Boy Blues” expresses how he felt during those times:
When I was home de
Sunshine seemed like gold.
Since I come up North de
Whole damn world's turned cold.
I was a good boy,
Never done no wrong.
Yes, I was a good boy,
Never done no wrong,
But this world is weary
An' de road is hard an' long.
Hughes lived with his relatives and moved around much throughout the first part of his life. He learned quickly to be independent. During part of his childhood, Hughes lived with his grandmother who taught him many stories and life lessons. At the age of 13, he moved back with his mother and her second husband in Illinois. Hughes entered Columbia University, New York in the fall of 1921. He soon abandoned his studies and in the fall of 1923, he sailed as a steward on a freighter, the S.S. West Hesseltine, to the West Coast of Africa where he learned about African culture.
Soon after, in 1924, he traveled to Paris to work as a cook’s helper at a nightclub that featured primarily African-American performers. Experiences there inspired him to experiment more with jazz and blues rhythms in his poetry (Rempersad 286). Leaving Paris a year later, he returned to the United States, where he worked menial jobs to support himself while writing poetry. Five years later, Hughes earned enough money to be able to attend and graduate from Lincoln University...

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...tively capture the scene of Harlem life.

Works Cited

Bell-Russel, Danna. Rev. of Library Journal, by Darralynn Hutson and Jamal Joseph. Hughes’ Harlem Dream. 2003 .

Beqilacqua, Winifred Farant. “Langston Hughes.” Dictionary of Literary Biography. 1989. Gale Group. 18 Apr. 2004 .

Daniel, Kathleen, et al, ed. Elements of Literature. 5th edition. Austin: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2003. 760-67.

Dickinson, Donald D. “Langston Hughes.” American Writers. Supp. I, Part 1. Ed. Leonard Unger. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1979. 320-48.

Hart, James D. “Hughes, Langston.” The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 4th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1965. 393-94.

Martinson, Deborah. “Langston Hughes.” Dictionary of Literary Biography. 2000. Gale Group. 18 Apr. 2004 .

McKay, Nellie Y. “Hughes, Langston.” World Book Online Reference Center. 2004. World Book. 18 Apr. 2004 .

McLaren, Joseph. Rev. of Research in African Literatures, by Steven C. Tracy. Langston Hughes and the Blues. Fall 2003 .

Rapersad, Arnold. “Hughes, James Langston.” Dictionary of American Biography. Supp. Eight. Ed. John Garraty and Mark Carnes. New York: Charles Schribner’s Son, 1988. 285-89.

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