Langston Hughes Langston Hughes real name is James Mercer Langston Hughes. Born in Joplin, Missouri. His grandmother carried on oral traditions, telling him stories about the pride of the African American race. His grandmother influenced him to become a poet. Having so many issues with his father, he thought about committing suicide. His father did not support his ideas of him becoming a writer. Hughes was a homosexual. He was a writer in the Harlem Renaissance period/movement. Because Hughes was a musician, his type of poetry revolved around jazz.

I, Too, Sing America I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody will dare Say to me, "Eat in the kitchen," Then. Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed-- I, too, am America.

Refugee in America There are words like Freedom Sweet and wonderful to say. On my heart-strings freedom sings All day everyday. There are words like Liberty That almost make me cry. If you had known what I knew You would know why. 1.What is your initial reaction of the poem? 2.Describe in a sentence or two what you think the theme, or message, of “Refugee in America” is. 3.How does Hughes’s poem make you feel about being an American. How can someone be a refugee in his or her own country?

Mother to Son 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 nowa For I'se still goin', honey, I'se still climbin', And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

Cross My old man's a white old man And my old mother's black. If ever I cursed my white old man I take my curses back. If ever I cursed my black old mother And wished she were in hell, I'm sorry for that evil wish And now I wish her well My old man died in a fine big house. My ma died in a shack. I wonder were I'm going to die, Being neither white nor black?

Negro Dancers Langston Hughes "Me an' ma baby's Got two mo' ways, Two mo' ways to do de Charleston!" Da, da, Da, da, da! Two mo' ways to do de Charleston!" Soft light on the tables, Music gay, Brown-skin steppers In a cabaret. White folks, laugh! White folks, pray! "Me an' ma baby's Got two mo' ways, Two mo' ways to do de Charleston!"

Theme For English B

Your Hughes Poem At least 12 lines Simple yet profound Vivid words and images Possible themes: injustice, something you believe in strongly, your own life Think about how the poem will SOUND: rhythm, meter, rhyme, beat Colloquial: Write in common, everyday “real” language

Write a poem similar to “Theme for English B” by Langston Hughes Tackle the same “assignment” his was given by his professor. Explore your own soul, your own life, your own driving force, your own beliefs… The instructor said, Go home and write a page tonight. And let that page come out of you-- Then, it will be true.