INTRODUCTION

The work of Langston Hughes was highly influenced by the lives of the African Americans around him during the time of the Harlem Renaissance, and also the history that they all shared in Africa. The Harlem Renaissance was a time of revival for traditional African culture and a push for racial equality across in the community of Harlem, a mostly black neighborhood in New York City, New York (Celebrate). The time was filled with musical invention and African traditions reborn. The new sounds of jazz and the blues filled the air and African Americans celebrated the obstacles they had surmounted and rallied to prepare for the new challenges to come (Celebrate). Hughes was as much influenced by the movement as he influenced the Harlem Renaissance itself. During this time of African American revival, Hughes flourished in the arts and the music of Harlem became one of the major inspirations for his writing style. Langston Hughes poetry brings into a new light the struggles of Africans throughout history and also during the time in which he lived. Hughes use of diction, tone, symbols, rhythm, meter, speaker, setting and situation in his poems engage the reader in his words as he speaks on behalf of all African Americans to remember the past and push for people of other races to recognize the historical and present day struggles of African Americans as well.

STYLE
Langston Hughes choice of diction and tone are both important to how a reader understands his poetry. His diction is often rather simple and the informal quality of his writing is used to make his poetry more accessible to a wider audience. The tone of Hughes work often reflects the attitude of the speakers he portrays. When the speaker of a Hughes poem is a slave he feels subordinate and weakened by the harsh life he leads. When Hughes writes from first person point-of-view, the reader can sense that the speaker feels both strong and influential.

POEM
Let all who will Eat quietly the bread of shame. I cannot, Without complaining loud and long. Tasting its bitterness in my throat, And feeling to my very soul It's wrong. For honest work You proffer me poor pay, for honest dreams Your spit is in my face, And so my fist is clenched TodayTo strike your face.

EXPLAINATION
Hughes poem talks about the many ways Africans have been persecuted, beat down, and enslaved throughout history: from serving Caesar to brushing the boots of George Washington. Hughes creates an image that the characteristics of African life have always stayed the same, no matter which continent they live on. The cruelty only evolved to fit the needs of their oppressors. The poems diction and tone suggests that views on race have never changed, but if the people of the race themselves to stick for their honor and values, then perhaps with courage and strength of sheer will-power they can change their image. The poem also creates a rhythm that guides the reader through the speakers growth. This feeling of momentum is found in many of Hughes poems as he calls his readers to recognize the continuing trend toward African American independence and equality. The speaker Hughes chooses for each of his poems always enhances the meaning of the poem. Knowing a speakers cultural and historical background adds another layer of

depth to the reading that the author does not have to write explicitly, because the audience can add their own knowledge of that time to the meaning of the poem. In other words, put themselves in the readers shoes. Many of his poems take place in the past or in distant lands and his choice of speaker helps the reader sympathize with the less than subtle meanings behind his racially charged poems. The poem is about an African slave, who has decided to stop pitying his own self and has changed not only his perspective but also his demeanor. He used to feel sorry for himself, used to recall the times of misery and suffering of his ancestors, but he no longer has the heart to endure the same treatment or to be able to see the cruelty clawing onto the future. Thats why he isnt waiting for others to bring in the change, rather he has decided to be the change. Hes raising his voice, bringing shame and reminding others to speak for themselves, because if you keep on suffering quietly then it too becomes a sin. The speaker wants to make sure that his sorrow is felt by everyone who reads his words. He will no longer tolerate the cruelty of his masters as he no longer wants to be tamed or to be reigned. He too wants to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and he knows that all the mistreatments he has come to met are insulting and dismaying as he has worked, but with a very honest heart. So from now on, he wants to stand tall in the world with equal rights as of those who mistakenly believe they were born to rule Blacks. If he is shunned, hurt or degraded, he wont endure it, he has now mustered the courage to strike back. Now is his time, he accepts no humiliation.