Anthology of the Famous…..
Langston Hughes
Kirsten Avery
Period 9
May 20, 2009
English 9
Table of Contents….
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Preface/Biography……………...slide 3-6
Introduction to Poems………….slide 7
Poem 1- April Rain Song………slide 8
Poem 2- As I Grew Older………slide 9
Poem 3-Life if Fine………………slide 10
Poem 4-Mother to Son…….……slide 11
Poem 5-Dream Variations ……..slide 12
Glossary…………………….……slide 13
Interpretation/Opinion………….slide 14
Preface-Biography
Langston Hughes was born James Langston
Hughes. He was one of the most important writers of
the Harlem Renaissance. He motivated many people
of his time. His birth date is February 1, 1902. He
was born in Joplin, Missouri. His parents divorced
when he was a young child, and then his father
moved to Mexico. Hughes attended Central High
School in Cleveland, Ohio, but began writing poetry
in the eighth grade. His grandmother raised him till he
was about thirteen. After that he decided to move to
Lincoln, Illinois, to live with his mother and her
husband.
Preface-Biography Continued…
It was in Lincoln, Illinois, that Hughes began writing
poetry. Following his graduation, he spent a year in
Mexico and a year at Columbia University. During
this time, he toke odd jobs such as an assistant
cook, launderer, and a busboy. Later he traveled to
Africa and Europe working as a seaman. In
November 1924, he moved to Washington, D.C.
There Hughes's wrote his first book of poetry The
Weary Blues. It was published by Alfred A. Knopf
in 1926. He finished his college education at
Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.
Preface-Biography Continued 2...
In 1930 his first novel Not Without Laughter won a
Harmon gold medal for literature. He wrote many
novels, short stories, plays, and as well as poetry.
He is also known for his engagement with the world
of jazz and the influence it had on his writing. Some
of Hughes' autobiographies include, Not Without
Laughter, The Big Sea, I Wonder As I Wander. His
collections of poetry include The Weary Blues, The
Negro Mother and other Dramatic Recitations, The
Dream Keeper, Shakespeare In Harlem, Fields of
Wonder, One Way Ticket, The First Book of Jazz,
Tambourines To Glory,Selected Poems, The Best of
Simple.
Preface-Biography Continued 3...
Langston Hughes died of complications from prostate
cancer May 22, 1967. He died in New York. He was
given a landmark status by the New York City
Preservation Commission, and has been renamed as
the "Langston Hughes Place." This is a special way
for us to remember his great contributions to the
poetry world. He will always be remembered as a
great black poet.Hughes was also one of the most
important writers and thinkers of the Harlem
Renaissance. He had a very creative way of coming
up with his materials and writings. All of his works
promoted equality, condemned racism, and
celebrated the whole culture of being African
American.
Introduction To Poems
Poem 1 is called April Rain Song. This poem is about the
wonders of the rain. The things the rain can do. How it feels and
looks and falls.
Poem 2 is called As I Grew Older. This poem is about the
author. He’s writing about his dreams.
Poem 3 is called Life is Fine. This poem is about the finer things
of life. He is explaining all the things he enjoys in life.
Poem 4 is called Mother to Son. This poem is a mother telling
her son what to be aware about in life. Saying how it’s not
always easy.
Poem 5 Dream Variations. This poem is about the authors
dream. What he wishes to do.
April Rain Song
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.
http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/langston-hughes/april-rain-song/
As I Grew Older
It was a long time ago.
I have almost forgotten my dream.
But it was there then,
In front of me,
Bright like a sun-My dream.
And then the wall rose,
Rose slowly,
Slowly,
Between me and my dream.
Rose until it touched the sky-The wall.
Shadow.
I am black.
I lie down in the shadow.
No longer the light of my dream before me,
Above me.
Only the thick wall.
Only the shadow.
My hands!
My dark hands!
Break through the wall!
Find my dream!
Help me to shatter this darkness,
To smash this night,
To break this shadow
Into a thousand lights of sun,
Into a thousand whirling dreams
Of sun!
http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/langston-hughes/april-rain-song/
Life is Fine
I went down to the river, I set down on the bank. I tried to think but
couldn't, So I jumped in and sank. I came up once and hollered! I
came up twice and cried! If that water hadn't a-been so cold I
might've sunk and died.
But it was Cold
in that water!
It was cold!
I took the elevator Sixteen floors above the ground. I thought about
my baby And thought I would jump down. I stood there and I
hollered! I stood there and I cried! If it hadn't a-been so high I
might've jumped and died.
But it was
High up there!
It was high!
So since I'm still here livin', I guess I will live on. I could've died for
love-- But for livin' I was born Though you may hear me holler, And
you may see me cry-- I'll be dogged, sweet baby, If you gonna see
me die.
Life is fine!
Fine as wine!
Life is fine!
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15611
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 now—
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/10388-Langston-Hughes-Mother-To-Son
Dream Variations
To fling my arms wide
In some place of the sun,
To whirl and to dance
Till the white day is done.
Then rest at cool evening
Beneath a tall tree
While night comes on gently,
Dark like meThat is my dream!
To fling my arms wide
In the face of the sun,
Dance! Whirl! Whirl!
Till the quick day is done.
Rest at pale evening...
A tall, slim tree...
Night coming tenderly
Black like me.
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/dream-variations/
Glossary
1.
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5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Shatter verb. to cause to drop or be dispersed
Bank noun. a mound, pile, or ridge raised above the
surrounding level
Dogged adj. marked by stubborn determination
Whirl verb. to move in a circle or similar curve especially
with force or speed
Lullaby noun. a soothing refrain
Tacks verb. Attach
Kinder adj. Affectionate, loving
Fling verb. to move in a brusque or headlong manner
Pale noun. Palisade,paling
Gutter noun. a trough along the eaves to catch and carry
off rainwater
My Interpretation/Opinion
I believe Langston Hughes is a very good poet. His
poems are good examples of poetry for his time. Him
being one of the best poets of his time and such a
creative mind is what makes his poems and work so
distinct from others. His poems are good and explain
a lot of his thoughts. Hughes talks about some of the
better things in life. The things that we don’t realize
our some of the best things in life. His writing is pure
and beautiful. He is a great roll model for anyone who
is looking into becoming a poet. I would read any of
his poems. Other people should read his poems to.
This is what I think of Langston Hughes.