1. The Life of Langston Hughes

3. Facts James Langston Hughes 1902 born in Missouri Parents: mother - school teacher, wrote poetry. mother - school teacher, wrote poetry. father - storekeeper, who wanted to be a lawyer, but he was denied to take the bar exam. father - storekeeper, who wanted to be a lawyer, but he was denied to take the bar exam. Moved/traveled a lot (mother couldn’t find steady work) Favorite pastime was listening to Jazz

4. Facts Continued Supported by his father, Hughes entered Columbia University in New York. Against his father’s wishes, Hughes dropped out, and participated in jazz and blues activities in nearby Harlem. Wanting to see the world, he enlisted as a steward on a freighter bound to West Africa. He traveled to Paris, worked as a doorman and a bouncer of a night club, and continued to Italy. “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” – 18 years old First major, published poem First major, published poem

5. facts continued Considered a leading voice in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s Harlem Renaissance Harlem Renaissance In his works, Hughes portrayed people, whose lives were impacted by racism and sexual conflicts people, whose lives were impacted by racism and sexual conflicts southern violence southern violence Harlem street life Harlem street life poverty, prejudice, hunger, hopelessness. poverty, prejudice, hunger, hopelessness.

6. facts continued He used the social, political, and religious aspects of the African American experience as stepping stones for poetic expression. Hughes' poetry announced to the world that the streets of Harlem contained a culture rich, vibrant, and fiercely poetic.

7. What to expect in Hughes’ Poems The poetry Hughes crafted over the course of his lifetime was filled with rhythm and beat. His stanzas weave wildly smooth tunes about life as a African American.

8. He wrote about… OppressionInjusticePrejudice Overcoming obstacles Surviving Harlem Renaissance Rebellion

9. But someday, somebody'll stand up and talk about me and write about me black and beautiful and sing about me and put on plays about me! I reckon it'll be me myself! Yes, it'll be me. From: “Note On Commercial Theatre”

10. My old man's a white old man And my old mother's black. If ever I cursed my white old man I take my curses back. If ever I cursed my black old mother And wished she were in hell, I'm sorry for that evil wish And now I wish her well My old man died in a fine big house. My ma died in a shack. I wonder were I'm going to die, Being neither white nor black?

11. Motto I play it cool And dig all jive That’s the reason I stay alive My motto, As I live and learn, Is: Dig And Be Dug In Return

12. Motto Assignment Write a poem, 8-10 lines, that captures the short, sweet message like “Motto” does. If you need help getting started, think of a green word that you live by… Strength, resiliency, honesty, love, etc. Strength, resiliency, honesty, love, etc. Poem must include the word “motto”

13. If We Must Die Who is the speaker? What is the speaker’s message? How does this connect to the Red Summer of 1919? What is the rhyme scheme? Answer these four short answer questions. This will be turned in at the end of class.

14. If We Must Die Assignment Write a poem, 15-20 lines that addresses an important experience in your life. This poem/experience can elicit any emotion you want it to. Does not have to rhyme. Try to mimic “If We Must Die” OR “Lost Count” Must have the phrase “If (I, me, you) must” somewhere in it.

15. HARLEM 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? Ask yourself, “What happens to a…?” Ask yourself, “What happens to a…?” Fill in that blank and let the imagery follow. Use Hughes’s poem as your guide to writing a similar poem of your own. Must have same rhyme scheme.

16. Harlem Assignment Ask yourself, “What happens to a…?” Ask yourself, “What happens to a…?” Fill in that blank and let the imagery follow. Use Hughes’s poem as your guide to writing a similar poem of your own. Must have same rhyme scheme.

17. AWhat happens to… BCDCEFEGHH

18. A Broken Heart What happens to a broken heart? Does it ail like a diseased human body part? Or sour, like an apple- and become very tart? Does it wither like a flower? Or fade and vanish- like a queen without power? Maybe it just hangs like a climber on a steep slope. Or does it simply cope and hope?

19. Undiscovered Talent What happens to undiscovered talent? Does it fade away like a purple bruise? Or stay away like a four week cruise? Does it smell like gross mildew? Or run and hide- Like you did when you were two? Maybe it just rots like an apple off a tree. Or maybe it’s still there-but not for people to see.