Thematic Exploration: Langston Hughes' 'Negro' and its Significance

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of Langston Hughes' poem 'Negro,' examining its historical context, themes, and literary techniques. The analysis begins by highlighting Hughes' use of the term 'Negro' to define black people's presence throughout history and their global commitments, emphasizing their struggles and contributions. The essay explores the speaker's acceptance of his complexion, comparing it to the beauty of nature, and discusses the poem's positive tone despite the hardships faced by African Americans. It further delves into the poem's portrayal of racial segregation, the American Dream, and Hughes' perspective as an African American poet, drawing on historical events and societal issues. The analysis also covers Hughes' use of literary devices and the poem's impact on the reader, providing a comprehensive understanding of the poem's significance and its place in African American literature and history. The essay utilizes references to support its claims.

Negro
In 1922, Langston Hughes wrote the poetry "Negro." Following their
liberation, African Americans sought to establish a secure space for
songs, aesthetic sciences, and theatre. African Americans discovered this
in Harlem and used their artistic talents to advocate for racial equality.
This sonnet is intended to define black people's presence throughout
history, to highlight their global commitments, and to illuminate their
sufferings.
In any case, he portrays his character in the main verse. He refers to
himself as a "Negro" and makes comparisons between his skin tone and
the "dim evening" and the "profundities of his Africa. The speaker is
implying that he is content to be an African American despite the
difficulties faced by slaves. The speaker wants people to recognize him
as an African American by portraying his character and the origins of his
complexion. The night is a positive correlation; it is necessary for nature
and is particularly beautiful when combined with the stars and moon.
African is another favorable examination; it is a lovely desert like

location that receives plenty of sunlight and magnificence. He accepts
his complexion and compares it to the magnificence of nature to
demonstrate his satisfaction with it.
Taking everything into consideration, this sonnet exemplifies black
existence throughout history; it emphasises their total dedication and
educates others about their struggles. Servitude lasted a long period of
time, and the sufferings of these people left an indelible impression on
the globe. African Americans created jazz and constructed several
buildings with their own hands. These are only two of innumerable
examples of how African Americans have left a lasting influence on
history. Regardless, they had problems and were victims of
discrimination in their general public.
Hughes' tales illuminate a slew of challenges that African Americans
faced at this time in American history, ranging from inherent bigotry to
an overarching grief associated with racial segregation. His work
chronicles the tale from the perspective of a marginalized minority and
the underhanded situations they encountered as a result of their skin

tone. At this hostile period in our set of experiences, ordinary protests
making progress toward their personal way of life esteems coexist with
communication amongst whites.
Hughes's most famous book, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," is basically
a "history" of dark civilization. Dark civilization is, in a sense, the
speaker in this sonnet. The speaker has noticed how subjugation has
taken the speaker's relatives from their natural state and placed them in
"servitude." The sonnet is clearly targeted at members of dark culture
who seem to be dissatisfied with their way of life in a "white man's
world." However, there is a positive tone in that the speaker
demonstrates how far African Americans have come.
He considers Negro till the evening. Despite the night's murkiness, he
maintains a cheerful tone, enjoying his African heritage. Additionally, it
has an effect on his audience, much as Dr. Lord's speech to unite all
races in America, including White and African Americans. Indeed, even
at a period of seclusion for African Americans, he affirms his Negro
self, demonstrating his assurance and regard for his identity. In the next

stanza, he describes himself as a slave. Servitude existed in Europe and
America throughout the early stages of organized administration. Each
line of the sonnet embodies all that Africans connect with, and he
conveyed to us the annoyance and experience that being a Negro
entailed. Negros have been consistently debased throughout history, as
Langston Hughes demonstrates.
The American Dream as Seen by Langston Hughes Langston Hughes, an
American poet, composes poems that is essentially focused on African
American socioeconomic equality. Coming from a long line of African
American activists, he, too, dedicated his time and energy to assisting in
the pursuit of justice. Nonetheless, it is because of his own background
that he pushes these notions forward with such vigor. Hughes grew up at
a time of racial segregation. Hughes was acutely aware of the country's
isolation.
Slaves disseminated accounts of their terrifying escapes and life in
servitude, mostly with the aid of professional authors. Despite the fact
that abolitionists advocated for the complete eradication of slavery in the

South, racial isolation occurred across the United States. Blacks,
especially freemen, saw the task of obtaining a decent line of labor as
overwhelming. Since the arrival of the early European pioneers,
minorities have been the target of dogmatism, racial segregation, and
persecution. This is seen in the wholesale murder of Native Americans
and the seizing and subjection of Africans throughout the sixteenth
century. Despite the fact that slavery was abolished more than a century
ago, the heinous consequences of this injustice continue to be felt in
contemporary society. America's forefathers built this nation with the
help of people of color, and despite their dedication to our country, they
continue to be overlooked. Despite several actions made by people of
color, this long-standing legacy of maltreatment has persisted throughout
the decades. The main model is based on a situation that happened in
Africa; the secondary model is based on a situation that occurred in the
United States. Hughes concludes his sonnet with a reiteration of the
opening and final verses. To fully grasp Hughes' thesis, it's necessary to
do an updated examination of the exact components Hughes employs
throughout the sonnet.

Hughes provides the viewer with a traditional visual acknowledgment of
blacks' verified existence in "Negro." Hughes does not fully educate the
reader on what has occurred to black people; as a result, Hughes allows
these authentic documents to marinade in the reader's mind. Rather of
stating that he is a person of color living in America, Hughes essentially
states, that "I am a Negro". He does not create a perplexing air about
blacks, but leaves that to the reader. Thinking for the advantage of the
reader plays a vital role in obtaining "Negro." The numerous
connotations of this sonnet have been left entirely to the reader's
discretion.
Reference
Hughes, L. (1952). Negro. Presse à Bras.
Hughes, L. (1994). The Negro artist and the racial mountain (pp. 55-
59). Duke University Press.