Time and Place in Langston Hughes Poetry Essay - 1133 Words

In many different ways, the time periods affects us all. In Langston Hughes poem’s Dreams, My People and Oppression all the themes are based on the time period and the surrounding events. In the poem Dreams he expresses that we need to hold onto our dreams. In My People he expresses his love and appreciation for his people. Lastly, in the poem Oppression he expresses the sorrow and pain of African Americans. By analyzing the themes, tone and figurative language of these poems the reader will be able to see that time periods and there surrounding events affects people in everything they do. Langston Hughes’ poem Dream is a poem based on holding onto one’s dream. The speaker of this poem is trying to convey a message to the reader that†¦show more content†¦In every line the speaker is expressing to the reader that he is delighted because his people are happy. â€Å"The night is beautiful, so the faces of my people (Hughes 1).† Throughout the whole poem, the speaker is using metaphors to compare his ‘people’ to things that brighten up the world. â€Å"The night, the stars and the sun (Hughes 1-5).† All of these are examples of symbols, as well as metaphors. For example, stars shine through the night. The night is dark, can be unhappy and discouraging at times. And the sun is a beam of light. In this poem the stars, and the sun symbolize his people surpass during the trying time there in. He is trying to inform us the readers that his people are bright and intelligent and that we shouldn’t treat them unequally just because of their complexion. At the end of the day, we all need each other to get through. The poem Oppression talks about people’s hopes being killed from insecurities and depression, but one day when they let go of the burden holding them back they can live again. â€Å"Now dreams are not available to the dreamers, nor songs to the singers (Hughes 1-5).† In these few lines we learn from the speaker that something has been taken from the people. From this we can tell that the tone of this poem is sorrowful, depressing but yet it still gives hope. In the last few lines Hughes says â€Å"But the dream will come back and the song, break its jail (5-9).† What speaker is doing here is using the dream breaking outShow MoreRelatedA Brief Look at Langston Hughes1413 Words   |  6 PagesLangston Hughes Langston Hughes’ challenging background, ethnicity, and era of life can all be thought of reasons as to why his style of writing relates among discrimination and unsettling topics. 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