Langston Hughs

“ The Negro speaks of Rivers” not only reflects Hughes personal encounter with the crossing of the Mississippi river, however, utilizes metaphors to reflect African history. “Hughes did not specifically reference any one particular African-American, nor did he imply that he is the speaker. The term ‘Negro’ in the title simply refers to the African-American population as a whole and their collective experiences from Africa to America “ (M.R.L) Hughes indirectly uses his personal expe

. . .

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 sunset (Hughes 55). Hughes grandmother is portrayed as “ Grandma Hager” in the story. “Langston Hughes was seen as to black for America and too white for Africa” (Reuben 4). Mary was given the “ bloody shawl” that Sheridan had warn when he died. Although Langston may have felt a common bond, the Africans said they had “ nothing in common with him because he had light skin and straight hair, and they considered him to be a white man” (Jackson 5). His grandmother, Mary Langston, raised Langston Hughes until he was thirteen years old (berry 12). During this time, Hughes grandmother, with the help of her first husband Lewis Sheridan Leary, were conductors on the Underground Railroad in 1858. Or Harlem, New York was sitting in the clubs listening to blue, jazz and writing poetry. In 1859 Leary rode with john brown and was killed trying to escape after the raid on the arsenal at Harper’s ferry (berry 14).

My ma died in a shack,

I wonder where I’m going to die,

Being neither white nor black. rience to relate the transition of the African slaves from Africa to America:

“ I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young. “ Young Langston would often see it draped around her shoulders while she rocked in her favorite chair and told him heroic stories, and on the chilly nights she covered little Langston with the shawl” (Berry 16). His writing changed a new rhythm emerged (Reuben 7). He bathes in the Euphrates River, then builds his house on the Congo River, and looks upon the Nile River, the three most prominent rivers in Africa.

Common topics in this essay:
Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes, Grandma Hager, Underground Railroad, Africa America, Africa Reuben, African American, Harlem York, Dakar Africa, Mississippi River, langston hughes, harlem renaissance, poor black, africa america, mississippi river, personal experience, crossing mississippi river, hughes died, october 16, hughes personal, black life, negro speaks rivers, 5 langston hughes,

Approximate Word count = 1093
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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