There is no doubt that "Theme for English B" has a very powerful message. Hughes is simply pointing out that people of different races are equal and should be treated as equals. That is a simple enough statement for anyone to say, but Langston Hughes was able to convey that thought through a magnificent poem that was constructed with a great deal of class.
The poem is about a young man who is the only black student in his college class. His assignment is to write a poem about his true self. In the poem, Hughes is able to make a connection with almost all readers by showing how, while he is a black man, he enjoys many of the same things that people of other races do. Lines 21-22 read, "Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love. I like to work, read, listen, and understand life." These are things than everyone enjoys, which is why these are such powerful lines. The rest of the poem goes on to state that he is black and enjoys certain thing, and his professor who is white will probably also enjoy these same things because they are both American. Without being the slightest bit disrespectful, Hughes was able to show that, whether they desire it or not, blacks and whites are a part of each other and should be viewed as equals.
I totally agree with you! I think one of the things that makes Langston Hughes such a wonderful poet was his ability to convey a message so simply through his poetry. I loved how his main goal was equality for everyone and how he wasn't ashamed to say that he was different from those of other races; but how they were also so similar.
ReplyDeleteIt really made me sad though, at the end of the poem, when he said that his professor would learn from him too...although he was more free than Hughes. It really outlined the level of inequality that existed at the time.
I'm glad that Hughes had the guts to put such a powerful message into this little poem.