rpp.english.ucsb.edu

Autumn Thought

Flowers are happy in summer.

In autumn they die and are blown away

Dry and withered,Their petals dance on the

windLike little brown butterflies.

Langston Hughes

Students will be able to —

explore the life of Langston Hughes

appreciate and understand ‘some’ of the poetry of Langston Hughes

learn about the Harlem Renaissance experience several exciting learning activities

http://www.starpulse.com/Notables/Hughes,_Langston/gallery/386894/

Who was Langston Who was Langston Hughes?Hughes?

How does his poetry impact people, How does his poetry impact people, society, and the world?society, and the world?

Sheila MacDonald Barry Wilsonsheilamd@staff.ednet.ns.ca wilsonbj@gov.ns.ca

                            

             

http://www.goldenageautographs.com/artlit/langstonhughes.html

Langston HughesLangston Hughes

                                   

                                                         

Langston Hughes (1902-1967) was one

of the most important

writers and thinkers of the

Harlem Renaissanc

e.

In the early 1900s, particularly in the In the early 1900s, particularly in the 1920s, African-American literature, art, 1920s, African-American literature, art, music, dance, and social commentary music, dance, and social commentary began to flourish in Harlem, a section of began to flourish in Harlem, a section of New York City. This African-American New York City. This African-American cultural movement became known as "The cultural movement became known as "The New Negro Movement" and later as the New Negro Movement" and later as the Harlem RenaissanceHarlem Renaissance. .

More than a literary movement, the More than a literary movement, the Harlem RenaissanceHarlem Renaissance exalted the unique exalted the unique culture of African-Americans and culture of African-Americans and redefined African-American expression. redefined African-American expression. African-Americans were encouraged to African-Americans were encouraged to celebrate their heritage.celebrate their heritage.

http://www.fatherryan.org/harlemrenaissance/http://www.fatherryan.org/harlemrenaissance/

The Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance marked the The Harlem Renaissance marked the first time that mainstream publishers first time that mainstream publishers and critics took African American and critics took African American literature seriously and that African literature seriously and that African American literature and arts attracted American literature and arts attracted significant attention from the nation at significant attention from the nation at large. Although it was primarily a large. Although it was primarily a literary movement, it was closely related literary movement, it was closely related to developments in African American to developments in African American music, theater, art, and politics. music, theater, art, and politics.

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761566483/Harlem_Renaissance.html

“Black life from the perspective of Black artists.”

Naming the World, Nancie Atwell

                    

The music and dance and intellectual life of Harlem, inspired Langston more than his classes in mining engineering, and eventually he quit college. Meanwhile he sent poems to The Crisis.

Having difficulty finding work, Hughes, twenty-one years old, joined the crew of a ship sailing for Africa. Eventually he traveled through Italy, Holland, Spain, and France, writing all the while.

Finally he returned to New York, and felt as though he had returned home.

Langston Hughes was a prolific writer—he began by writing poetry— he also wrote novels, short stories, essays, articles, and plays.

Hughes’ writings addressed the lives of the Black people. His works earned him a reputation as one of the major Black voices of the 1900s. He was known, during his lifetime, as "the poet laureate of Harlem."

Race was at the center of Hughes’ works—the beauty, dignity, and heritage of African Americans. Langston Hughes attempted to speak to all Americans—especially on the issues of social, economic, and political justice.

A Political Poet …

"I swear to the Lord, I still "I swear to the Lord, I still can't see, Why Democracy can't see, Why Democracy

means, Everybody but me." means, Everybody but me."

Langston Hughes died of lung cancer on May 22, 1967. His home at 20 East 127th Street in Harlem, New York has been given landmark status by the New York City Preservation Commission. His block of East 127th Street was renamed "Langston Hughes Place".

www.americanswhotellthetruth.org

His first book of poetry, 'The Weary Blues', published in 1926, made him well known among literary people.

Hughes started writing poetry when he was in grade 8.

Hughes's poetry absorbed the rhythms of blues and jazz and the dialect of African American speech that he heard around him. He continued to write and publish in The Crisis. He met poet Vachel Lindsay, who liked his poems and promoted them.

His first published poem was one of his most famous …

"The Negro Speaks of Rivers”

http://images.google.ca

I've known rivers: I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young. I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep. I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it. I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

I've known rivers: Ancient, dusky rivers.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.Mississippi River

I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare Say to me, "Eat in the kitchen," Then. Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed - - I, too, am America.

I, Too

Dreams 

  Hold fast to dreamsFor if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged birdThat cannot fly.Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is a barren fieldFrozen with snow.

http://www.jimcrowhistory.org/amliterature/amliterature.htm