Langston Hughes
Poetry
“April Rain Song” by Langston Hughes
Prediction
Based upon the title of the poem “April Rain Song” by
Langston Hughes, predict the poem's theme. Employ
the model below in your response.
Model
Upon analysis of “April Rain Song” by Langston
Hughes, the author will posit the theme ________
because ________.
“April Rain Song” by Langston Hughes
Let the rain kiss you Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops Let the rain sing you a lullaby The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk The rain makes running pools in the gutter The rain plays a little sleep song on our roof at night And I love the rain.
“April Rain Song” by Langston Hughes
Discussion Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, supply the author and
poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers in order to justify your
answer.
1. Infer the poem's theme. Why does Hughes purport
this theme?
2. Note the poem's mood. Why does Hughes craft this
mood?
3. Determine an instance of imagery within the text.
Why does the author pen this imagery?
4. Record an occurrence of personification within the
text. Why does the author compose this
personification?
“April Rain Song” by Langston Hughes
Discussion Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, supply the author and
poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers in order to justify your
answer.
5. Discern an example of repetition within the poem.
Why does Hughes employ this repetition?
6. Detect a metaphor within the poem. Why does
Hughes furnish this metaphor?
7. Ascertain a cause within the poem. Why does
Hughes supply this cause?
8. Infer an effect within the poem. Why does Hughes
provide this effect?
“April Rain Song” by Langston Hughes
Discussion Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, supply the author and
poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers in order to justify your
answer.
9. Characterize the narrator. Why does Hughes
fabricate this characterization?
10. Note an instance of alliteration in the text. Why does
the author pen this alliteration?
“Dreams” by Langston Hughes Prediction
Based upon the title of the poem “Dreams” by Langston
Hughes, predict the poem's mood. Employ the model
below in your response.
Model
Upon analysis of “Dreams” by Langston Hughes, the
author will fabricate a ________ mood because
________.
“Dreams”
by Langston Hughes
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
“Dreams” by Langston Hughes Discussion
Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, supply the author and
poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers in order to justify your
answer.
1. Infer the poem's theme. Why does Hughes purport
this theme?
2. Note the poem's mood. Why does Hughes craft this
mood?
3. Determine an instance of imagery within the text.
Why does the author pen this imagery?
4. Record an occurrence of personification within the
text. Why does the author compose this
personification?
“Dreams” by Langston Hughes Discussion
Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, supply the author and
poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers in order to justify your
answer.
5. Discern an example of repetition within the poem.
Why does Hughes employ this repetition?
6. Detect a metaphor within the poem. Why does
Hughes furnish this metaphor?
7. Ascertain a cause within the poem. Why does
Hughes supply this cause?
8. Infer an effect within the poem. Why does Hughes
provide this effect?
“Dreams” by Langston Hughes Discussion
Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, supply the author and
poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers in order to justify your
answer.
9. Deduce an example of foreshadowing within the
poem. Why does Hughes craft this foreshadowing?
10. Note an instance of alliteration in the text. Why does
the author pen this alliteration?
Langston Hughes Imagery Analysis
Analyze which poem better employs imagery in order to engage the
reader. In your response, incorporate the author and story title,
restate the question, and cite evidence justifying your answer.
“April Rain Song”
“Dreams”
TIDE Example
After an analysis “April Rain Song” and “Dreams” by Langston Hughes, the author better
employs ________ in order to ________ the reader within his poem ________. In fact, within
________, Hughes furnishes the imagery ________ ().Clearly, the poet incorporates this
imagery in order to ________. Contrarily, throughout the text ________, Hughes crafts the
imagery ________ (). Undoubtedly, Hughes crafts this imagery in order to ________, yet the
poet's efforts prove ________ effective. Conclusively, according to the poems ________ and
________by Langston Hughes, the author better ________ the reader through ________
within the poem ________.
“Juke Box Love Song” by Langston Hughes
Prediction
Based upon the title of the poem “Juke Box Love Song”
by Langston Hughes, predict the poem's mood. Employ
the model below in your response.
Model
Upon analysis of “Juke Box Love Song” by Langston
Hughes, the author will craft a ________ mood when
________.
“Juke Box Love Song”
by Langston Hughes
I could take the Harlem night
and wrap around you,
Take the neon lights and make a crown,
Take the Lenox Avenue busses,
Taxis, subways,
And for your love song tone their rumble down.
Take Harlem's heartbeat,
Make a drumbeat,
Put it on a record, let it whirl,
And while we listen to it play,
Dance with you till day—
Dance with you, my sweet brown Harlem girl.
“Juke Box Love Song” by Langston Hughes
Discussion Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, supply the author and
poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers in order to justify your
answer.
1. Infer the poem's theme. Why does Hughes purport
this theme?
2. Note the poem's mood. Why does Hughes craft this
mood?
3. Determine an instance of imagery within the text.
Why does the author pen this imagery?
4. Record an occurrence of personification within the
text. Why does the author compose this
personification?
“Juke Box Love Song” by Langston Hughes
Discussion Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, supply the author and
poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers in order to justify your
answer.
5. Discern an example of repetition within the poem.
Why does Hughes employ this repetition?
6. Detect a metaphor within the poem. Why does
Hughes furnish this metaphor?
7. Ascertain a cause within the poem. Why does
Hughes supply this cause?
8. Infer an effect within the poem. Why does Hughes
provide this effect?
“Juke Box Love Song” by Langston Hughes
Discussion Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, supply the author and
poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers in order to justify your
answer.
9. Characterize the speaker. Why does Hughes craft
this characterization?
10. Note an instance of alliteration in the text. Why does
the author pen this alliteration?
“Juke Box Love Song” by Langston
Hughes Quote Analysis
Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose
fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same.
—Helen Keller
Employing the TIDE method, contrast the moods presented within
the poem “Juke Box Love Song” by Langston Hughes and the above
quote by Helen Keller.
Example
After an exegesis of the poem “Juke Box Love Song” by
Langston Hughes and the love quote by Helen Keller, the authors
assert ________ moods. For instance, Hughes pens a ________
mood when ________ (). Certainly, the poet crafts this mood in
order to ________. On the other hand, within her quote, Helen Keller
furnishes a ________ when ________ (). Surely, Keller fabricates
this mood in order to ________. Conclusively, within the poem “Juke
Box Love Song” by Langston Hughes and the love quote by Helen
Keller, the speakers undoubtedly construct ________.
“Harlem [Dream Deferred]”
by Langston Hughes
Based upon the title of the poem “Harlem [Dream
Deferred]” by Langston Hughes, predict the poem's
mood. Employ the model below in your response.
Model
Upon analysis of “Harlem [Dream Deferred]” by
Langston Hughes, the author will craft a ________
mood when ________.
“Harlem [Dream Deferred]”
by Langston Hughes
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
“Harlem [Dream Deferred]” by Langston
Hughes Discussion Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, supply the author and
poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers in order to justify your
answer.
1. Infer the poem's theme. Why does Hughes purport
this theme?
2. Note the poem's mood. Why does Hughes craft this
mood?
3. Determine an instance of imagery within the text.
Why does the author pen this imagery?
4. Detect a simile within the poem. Why does Hughes
supply this simile?
“Harlem [Dream Deferred]” by Langston
Hughes Discussion Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, supply the author and
poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers in order to justify your
answer.
5. Discern an example of repetition within the poem.
Why does Hughes employ this repetition?
6. Detect a metaphor within the poem. Why does
Hughes furnish this metaphor?
7. Ascertain a cause within the poem. Why does
Hughes supply this cause?
8. Infer an effect within the poem. Why does Hughes
provide this effect?
“Harlem [Dream Deferred]” by Langston
Hughes Discussion Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, supply the author and
poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers in order to justify your
answer.
9. Record a person versus self conflict within the poem.
Why does Hughes construct this conflict?
10. Note an instance of alliteration in the text. Why does
the author pen this alliteration?
“Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes
Prediction
Based upon the title of the poem “Mother to Son” by
Langston Hughes, predict the poem's theme. Employ
the model below in your response.
Model
Upon analysis of “Mother to Son” by Langston
Hughes, the author will purport the theme that
________ because ________.
“Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes
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 now—
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
“Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes
Discussion Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, supply the author and
poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers in order to justify your
answer.
1. Infer the poem's theme. Why does Hughes purport
this theme?
2. Note the poem's mood. Why does Hughes craft this
mood?
3. Determine an instance of imagery within the text.
Why does the author pen this imagery?
4. Discern a setting presented within the poem. Why
does Hughes furnish this setting?
“Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes
Discussion Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, supply the author and
poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers in order to justify your
answer.
5. Discern an example of repetition within the poem.
Why does Hughes employ this repetition?
6. Detect a metaphor within the poem. Why does
Hughes furnish this metaphor?
7. Ascertain a cause within the poem. Why does
Hughes supply this cause?
8. Infer an effect within the poem. Why does Hughes
provide this effect?
“Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes
Discussion Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, supply the author and
poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers in order to justify your
answer.
9. Note a person versus environment conflict within the
poem. Why does Hughes compose this conflict?
10. Characterize the mother. Why does Hughes
fabricate this characterization?
“The Weary Blues” by Langston Hughes
Prediction
Based upon the title of the poem “The Weary Blues” by
Langston Hughes, predict the poem's theme. Employ
the model below in your response.
Model
Upon analysis of “The Weary Blues” by Langston
Hughes, the author will craft a ________ mood because
________.
“The Weary Blues” by Langston Hughes
Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,
Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,
I heard a Negro play.
Down on Lenox Avenue the other night
By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light
He did a lazy sway ...
He did a lazy sway …
To the tune o' those Weary Blues.
With his ebony hands on each ivory key
He made that poor piano moan with melody.
O Blues!
Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool
He played that sad raggy tune like a musical
fool.
Sweet Blues!
Coming from a black man's soul.
O Blues!
In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone
I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan—
“Ain't got nobody in all this world,
Ain't got nobody but ma self.
I's gwine to quit ma frownin'
And put ma troubles on the shelf.”
Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.
He played a few chords then he sang some more—
“I got the Weary Blues
And I can't be satisfied.
Got the Weary Blues
And can't be satisfied—
I ain't happy no mo'
And I wish that I had died.”
And far into the night he crooned that tune.
The stars went out and so did the moon.
The singer stopped playing and went to bed
While the Weary Blues echoed through his head.
He slept like a rock or a man that's dead.
“The Weary Blues” by Langston Hughes:
Discussion Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, restate the question,
provide the author and poem title, and cite evidence
alongside line numbers in order to justify your
response.
1. Determine the poem's theme. Why does Hughes
supply this theme?
2. Discern the text's mood. Why does the author craft
this mood?
3. Distinguish a simile within the text. Why does Hughes
pen this simile?
4. Note an occurrence of imagery throughout the poem.
Why does Hughes supply this imagery?
5. List an example of alliteration in the poem. Why does
Hughes compose this alliteration?
“The Weary Blues” by Langston Hughes
Discussion Questions
Respond to the following questions in complete
sentences. In your reply, restate the question, provide
the author and poem title, and cite evidence alongside
line numbers in order to justify your response.
6. Record an instance of repetition within the text. Why
does the author employ this repetition?
7. Detect a moment of end rhyme throughout the poem.
Why does Hughes incorporate this end rhyme?
8. Infer an example of personification within the poem. Why
does the poet furnish this personification?
9. Ascertain an instance of onomatopoeia within the text.
Why does Hughes compose this onomatopoeia?
10. Descry an example of hyperbole throughout the poem.
Why does Hughes note this hyperbole?
“The Weary Blues” Review
Employing the TIDE method, analyze the poem, and supply an
objective review of the text. Throughout your response, furnish the
author and poem title, restate the question, and cite evidence in order
to justify your answer. Reply to the following prompt.
Prompt: Critique the poem “The Weary Blues” by Langston Hughes.
Moreover, cite instances of figurative language in order to assert
whether or not the poem proves compelling or engaging.
Example
After an exegesis of ________ by ________, the author crafts a
poem which ________. For instance, at one point, the speaker asserts
the ________ “_________” (). Undoubtedly, the author employs this
________ in order to ________. Moreover, throughout the poem,
Hughes notes the ________ “________” (). Certainly, the poet
incorporates this ________ in order to ________. Conclusively,
throughout the poem ________ by ________, the author clearly
composes a poem which ________.