Analysis of Langston Hughes' World-Famous Literary Legacy

In Langston Hughes poems “Harlem” and “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”, there is a certain sense of peace and positivity that stems from the bond African-Americans shared in this time period. In a time period where Hughes received a lot of criticism, especially from the white community, Hughes does an exceptional job of binding together the African-American community in a courageous, unwavering way. In both poems there are lines that enforce a sense of positivity even in the most dire circumstances.

The analysis first of “Harlem” goes to symbolize the pondering of what happens to dreams and movements if they are delayed. Hughes, referring to a dream, writes “Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over- like a syrupy sweet?”. Desserts are related to the end of a good meal. If a dream is delayed, but transforms into a sweet, it is something to be enjoyed after the main course, a dream that comes back to life after the long road before it. There is a positivity to this line that relates a deferred dream to something sweet that everyone looks forward to. In another line Hughes writes “Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?”. Langston tries to reassure the audience that a dream that appears to be delayed does not have to become baggage that you carry around, but can become an explosion, which would surely get societies attention. The idea that Hughes ends the poem with this line is significant in the way that he tries to implement the strength of unwavering dreams and the effect they can have upon the African-American community, the unwavering stands continuously taken to obtain equality and remain equal. Through expression of ideas and the constant courage shown within the works of the Harlem Renaissance, explosive dreams became reality.

In Hughes second poem called “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” there is a strong foundation of positivity when it comes to the idea of soul and what the significance of the soul is. Hughes writes “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', significant to the thesis of peace and positivity, because rivers tend to be a place of diverse ecosystem and resources. Hughes compares “soul” to a river; deep, flowing, and in a constant state of moving forward. Hughes tries to implement strength in the past and what memories, good or bad, can do in nurturing a soul. Hughes also writes “I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep'. Not only does this line support the idea of the peace and tranquility that Hughes attempts to bring to the African-American community through symbolism; but it keeps their culture alive and relates it to progression.

After doing research on Langston Hughes, I have come to the conclusion that he was proud to be human and within that he was accepting of his faults and mistakes and was determined to show the humanity within himself and the African-American community in a humble way. It is said that Langston Hughes received many criticisms, even from the African-American community. Langston Hughes “sought to honestly portray the joys and hardships of working-class black lives, avoiding both sentimental idealization and negative stereotypes”. Hughes does an exceptional job of portraying hope, positivity and courage while also avoiding entitlement and selfishness through the hardships. The legacy that Hughes left within his literary works will continue to be relevant to the beautiful explosion of dreams and mindful strength through triumph.