Introduction
Racial and cultural identity are among the most prominent themes of Langston Hughes’s literary works. It is important to point out that many of his poems explore different aspects of African American identity in regards to the overall culture and race as well as the intricate topics on social injustice. The given analysis will primarily focus on four of his poems, which are “Theme for English B,” “The Negro Speaks of River,” “Harlem,” and “I, Too,” which address the major themes of racial identity, Black cultural identity, the price of social injustice, and American identity, respectively. One of the most well-known accomplishments of the author is the fact that he is responsible for incorporating African American culture into the American one by uniting them both, which is why his writing style and themes revolve around the racial and cultural identity of Black people as Americans.
Background
Langston Hughes is among the most influential and well-known writers in African American history. The author had a highly complex background, where he, since childhood, grew up knowing that his ancestors were African slaves, who were owned by white people of Kentucky (Scrimgeour 6). It is stated that “more than any other American writer, Hughes brought African-American culture and traditions into American literature” (Scrimgeour 1).
In other words, he wanted to make African American culture an integral part of American culture, where Black people will finally develop racial and cultural identity not as a separate group but rather as Americans. He was highly interested in African American music, such as jazz and blues, which is why he combined his poems with these musical elements to popularize African American culture among all Americans. As a result, the history of modern American culture is inseparable from African American culture because they represent a single identity.
Literature Review
To be able to properly understand the underlying themes of Langston Hughes’s poems, it is critically important to address the concepts and ideas of racial identity. It is stated that one’s observations, education, and racial awakening or awareness were the primary contributors to triggering an individual’s development of racial identity (Neville and Cross Jr. 102). In other words, an African American person needs to achieve some form of racial awakening through a deliberate self-observation of his own experiences and education to properly structure his or her racial identity. Another study indicates that an imposter syndrome or phenomenon was high among humanists and low among multiculturalists (Bernard et al. 51).
Therefore, one should be aware that a Black person’s racial identity can be hindered by imposter syndrome by being constantly afraid that someone might call him or her in a fraudulent manner, where the given individual doubts his or her assumptions about being American.
“Theme for English B”
The given poem primarily focuses on the theme of racial identity, where the author illuminates key elements of the subject. It is stated: “you are white – yet a part of me, as I am a part of you. That’s American. Sometimes perhaps you don’t want to be a part of me. Nor do I often want to be a part of you” (Kennedy et al. 434). In other words, the writer identifies that both White people and African Americans are essential components of American identity and culture, which is why he states that both are parts of each other. These groups might not enjoy each other’s company, but the core American identity cannot exclude people of color. Therefore, the poem appears to be an attempt to cause a racial awakening among both White and Black people, where the latter fully develop a racial identity through American identity.
“The Negro Speaks of River”
The core theme of “The Negro Speaks of River” is manifested in the notion of Black cultural identity. It states: “my soul has grown deep like the rivers” (Kennedy et al. 637). In other words, like rivers, African American culture is an inseparable part of American culture because it is grown deep into the latter. Thus, it seems that American culture cannot remain as such without Black cultural elements, which signifies the fact that roots are deep in both historical and metaphorical senses. The author’s writing style uses analogies, such as rivers, to deliver the message of unity and the lack of divisiveness. African American cultural identity cannot be a separate unit because it is deeply entrenched into American identity and makes up its large portion.
“Harlem”
The poem “Harlem” mainly revolves around the theme of the price of social injustice due to inaction. The poet writes: “maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?” (Kennedy et al. 638). In other words, the author describes how ignoring or postponing dealing with social injustice against African Americans will either be a heavy burden both socially and psychologically or will take an opposite turn, where changes will be rapid and inevitable. The term “explode” seems to be cleverly used by Langston Hughes to show how movements and radical changes begin, which always cause violence and social distress. Therefore, it is critically important not to ignore modern social injustices against people of color because it will eventually explode into chaos, and until then, will be similar to a heavy burden, which gradually exhausts all Americans.
“I, Too”
The last poem by Langston Hughes is “I, Too,” which specifically addresses the topic of American identity. The poet passionately writes: “I, too, am America” (Kennedy et al. 567). The line seems to signify the acceptance and celebration of the fact that African Americans are not separate from American culture, which is why he also states: “I, too, sing America” (Kennedy et al. 567). In other words, the poet is likely using the word “sing” to mean “in tune with” or “belong” to American culture, which means that Black people are as Americans as White people. One cannot and should not discriminate against another because it would mean that an American is oppressing another American. Therefore, the author seems to be in an outcry to inform all about the fact that American identity is inseparable from African American one.
Conclusion
In conclusion, racial and cultural identity are the core themes of Langston Hughes’s poems. The given analysis primarily focuses on “Theme for English B,” “The Negro Speaks of River,” “Harlem,” and “I, Too.” The underlying themes are based on racial identity, Black cultural identity, the price of social injustice, and American identity. The central argument of the poet seems to revolve around the fact that American culture and identity cannot exist without Black culture and identity, which means that people of color are inherently American.
Works Cited
Bernard, Donte L., et al. (2017). Racial Discrimination, Racial Identity, And Impostor Phenomenon: A Profile Approach. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 51-61.
Kennedy, X. Joseph, et al. Backpack Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. 6th ed. Pearson, 2019.
Neville, Helen, and Wiliam Edward Cross Jr. “Racial Awakening: Epiphanies and Encounters in Black Racial Identity.” Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, vol. 23, no. 1, 2017, pp. 102-108.
Scrimgeour, John D. “Hughes, Langston.” Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Literature, vol. 1, 2017, pp. 1-17.