The Life and Legacy of Langston Hughes
“Life is for the living. Death is for the dead. Let life be like music. And death a note unsaid.” ~
Langston Hughes.
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Langston Hughes is known as a poet of rhythm and music. As an African American, he wrote
much about the culture and experiences of his race. Although he suffered financially, Hughes
published many works that later became very famous. After overcoming a difficult childhood,
Langston began writing poetry in high school. He undoubtedly left his mark on the art and
culture of America.
On February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri, Caroline Mercer Langston gave birth to a boy who
she and her husband named Langston Hughes. His parents divorced when he was a small
child and his father, James Nathaniel Hughes, moved to Mexico. Langston lived with his
grandmother until he turned 13. After Langston’s grandmother passed away, he moved back
in with his mother in Illinois and went to high school. They later moved to Cleveland, Ohio
where he began writing poetry. Langston’s peers and teachers recognized his writing talent
and Langston had many of his writings published in the school magazine. He eventually
joined the staff of the magazine. During this time, an English teacher introduced Langston to
the writings of great poets like Walt Whitman and Carl Sandburg. They significantly
influenced his writing.
After high school, Langston moved to Mexico and lived there for a year. Later, he studied a
year at Columbia College. Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American to serve on the
Supreme Court of the United States, was a classmate of Langston Hughes. After finishing
college at Lincoln University, Hughes traveled to Africa and Europe as a seaman. “In
November of 1924, Hughes moved to Washington D.C. and published his first book, “The
Weary Blues,” in 1926. Hughes’ first novel, “Not Without Laughter,” won the Harmon Gold
Medal for literature.” (Langston Hughes, Poets.org) Eventually, Hughes had enough money to
buy a house in Harlem, which was his dream.
Interestingly, Langston Hughes often integrated the rhythms of African American music,
especially the blues and jazz, into his poetry; something quite unique during his time. Many
of his poems seem to combine literature and the music of the African American experience of
the time. Hughes also wrote plays and short stories and carried with him a sense of racial
pride, often depicting the life of African Americans in his writing. Langston loved music
poetry, and the culture of the African American people. His life and writing enormously
influenced the Harlem Renaissance. Sadly, on May 22, 1967, Langston Hughes passed away at
age sixty-five from complications of cancer and was buried in Harlem New York.
Langton Hughes’ funeral seemed fitting for one who so impacted the culture of America.
Harlem renamed the street where he resided in his honor and made his house a landmark.
“Langston Hughes received nine honors and awards during his lifetime. He published sixteen
poetry collections, eleven short stories, six nonfiction books, twelve plays, and seven works
for children.” (Langston Hughes, Wikipedia) His memory and legacy shall forever live on in
the hearts of Americans. His epitaph fittingly reads, “My soul has grown deep like the rivers.”
The life of Langston Hughes truly was like music and for many Americans, his death shall
remain a note unsaid.
“Dreams”
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.
~Langston Hughes
1. What is the meaning of “integrated” as it is used in paragraph 4?
2. Which of the following phrases best helps you understand the meaning of the word
“integrated”?
a. enormously influenced the Harlem Renaissance
b. seem to combine literature and the music
c. impacted the culture of America
3. Write the main idea of paragraph 5 and one supporting detail.
4. The phrase, “Langston loved music poetry, and the culture of the African American
people” is a supporting detail. Which main idea does it support?
5. List 2 things that influence Langston Hughes’ writing.