1. The Life of Langston Hughes
Ms De La O
English 9

2. Early Life James Langston Hughes
Born in Joplin, Missouri on February 1, 1902
Caucasian (French) , African, and Native American
Father left the family and fled to Cuba and later Mexico to escape racial prejudices in the United States

3. Young Adult Years 1919: Went to live with his father in Mexico
1922: Attended Columbia University
Dropped out of school and participated in jazz and blues activities in nearby Harlem.
1926: The Weary Blues’
1929: Received a B.A. from Lincoln University (HBCU)

4. The Harlem Renaissance
Began in the early 1900s
"The New Negro Movement”
Unique culture of African-Americans and redefined African-American expression.
Celebration of heritage.

5. The Harlem Renaissance
Hughes wrote multiple poems throughout the Harlem Renaissance about the plight of the African-American community:
people, whose lives were impacted by racism and sexual conflicts
southern violence
Harlem street life
poverty, prejudice, hunger, hopelessness.

6. Later Years
Wrote novels, short stories, plays, poetry, operas, essays, and works for children
Died May 22,1967
20 East 127th Street in Harlem, New York.
"Langston Hughes Place”

7. Langston Hughes the Poet
Race was at the center of Hughes’ works
Attempted to speak to all Americans
social, economic, and political justice.

8. What to expect in Hughes’ Poems
Free verse
Imagery, Mood, Tone
rhythm and beat
His stanzas weave wildly smooth tunes about life as a black American.