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Langston Hughes-1

The document provides a biography of Langston Hughes, an influential African American writer and figure in the Harlem Renaissance. It details his upbringing, education, involvement in the Harlem Renaissance, prolific writing career encompassing poetry, plays, essays and journalism, and legacy of promoting social justice through his works. It also includes two poems written by Langston Hughes.

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114 views2 pages

Langston Hughes-1

The document provides a biography of Langston Hughes, an influential African American writer and figure in the Harlem Renaissance. It details his upbringing, education, involvement in the Harlem Renaissance, prolific writing career encompassing poetry, plays, essays and journalism, and legacy of promoting social justice through his works. It also includes two poems written by Langston Hughes.

Uploaded by

zainsahb775
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Biography

Langston Hughes, a remarkable figure in American literature, was born on February 1, 1901, in Joplin, Missouri.
His life was like an exciting journey filled with words and creativity.
Growing up, Langston faced some challenges. His parents separated, and he lived with his grandmother in
Lawrence, Kansas. Despite the difficulties, he found comfort in books and words. Langston developed a love for
poetry and started writing when he was just a kid.
In 1921, Langston enrolled in college at Columbia University in New York City. However, college life wasn't
exactly what he expected, and he faced financial struggles. Eventually, he left college, deciding to explore the
vibrant world of Harlem, a neighborhood in New York known for its rich African American culture.
Harlem became a central part of Langston's life. He became a part of the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural and
artistic movement celebrating African American identity. Langston's poetry, with its rhythm and blues, captured
the spirit of the time. His famous poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" is a powerful reflection on the deep roots
of African American history.
Langston's work didn't stop at poetry; he wrote essays, plays, and even worked as a journalist. His writing spoke
about the struggles of African Americans, the beauty of their culture, and the dreams of a better future.
Throughout his life, Langston traveled extensively, connecting with people from different backgrounds. He
became a bridge between cultures, using his words to build understanding and promote equality.
Langston Hughes passed away on May 22, 1967, leaving behind a legacy of powerful words and a voice that still
resonates today. His contributions to American literature and his commitment to justice make him a beloved and
influential figure in the world of words.

Mother to Son (1922)


BY LANGSTON HUGHES
Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps
’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now—
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
The naming of the Americas, or America, occurred shortly after Christopher Columbus's first voyage to the
Americas in 1492. It is generally accepted that the name derives from Amerigo Vespucci, the Italian explorer,
who explored the new continents in the following years on behalf of Spain and Portugal.
 United States Declaration of Independence: July 4, 1776
 13 Colonies
 2.5 million people
The term "American dream" was coined in a best-selling book in 1931 titled Epic of America.
James Truslow Adams described it as "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller
for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement."
American Dream: “the ideal that every citizen of the United States should have an equal opportunity to achieve
success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.”
Harlem is a neighbourhood in Upper Manhattan, New York City.
The Harlem Renaissance was an intellectual and cultural revival of African American music, dance, art, fashion,
literature, theatre, politics and scholarship centered in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, spanning the 1920s
and 1930s.
Also known as: New Negro Movement

Harlem (1951)
BY LANGSTON HUGHES
What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags


like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

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