0Chirchik State Pedagogical University Current Issues of Modern Philology and Linguodidactics
Staatliche Pädagogische Universität Chirchik Aktuelle Fragen der modernen Philologie und Linguodidaktik
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LANGSTON HUGHES AND HIS POETRY
Gulina Xolmirza kizi Avazova
A student at Chirchik state pedagogical University Scientific advisor Eldorbek Erkin ugli Khamitov
ABSTRACT
"Exploring the rich tapestry of Langston Hughes' poetry: An examination of identity, injustice, and resilience". This article delves into the profound themes that permeate the poetry of Langston Hughes, a pioneering figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Through a critical lens, we analyze Hughes' evocative verses that resonate with themes of racial identity, social injustice, and the enduring spirit of resilience. By exploring the layered complexities of his work, we gain a deeper understanding of Hughes' enduring impact on American literature and his timeless relevance in navigating issues of race, class, and cultural identity.
Keywords: Hughes, poetry, blues, racial discrimination, civil rights.
Introduction
Langston Hughes, a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance, was a trailblazing poet and writer known for his powerful and innovative works that captured the essence of African American life and culture. Through his poetry, Hughes explored themes of identity, race, and social justice, shining a light on the realities and struggles of black Americans during the early to mid-20th century. This article delves into the life and legacy of Langston Hughes, examining how his poetry continues to resonate and inspire readers today.
Findings
Langston Hughes was a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement of the 1920s and 1930s that celebrated African American culture and heritage. His poetry often reflected the experiences of African Americans and tackled themes such as racism, identity, and social justice. Hughes used vernacular language and rhythms in his poetry, drawing inspiration from blues and jazz music. He also highlighted the everyday struggles and aspirations of ordinary black people. Through his work, Hughes became a voice for the African American community, challenging stereotypes and advocating for social change.
Publishers Weekly noted that a more recent collection, The Return of Simple (1994), addresses topics like political correctness, children's rights, and the racist undertone behind sterilization and contraception proposals. Simple's collection includes previously unpublished material but its themes are still relevant today. In his Bio-Bibliography of Langston Hughes, Donald C. Dickinson stated that "[Simple's] charm resides in his unrestrained pursuit of those two universal goals, security and understanding." Like the majority of people, he seldom succeeds in achieving either of these objectives, and when he
April 23-24, 2024
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Chirchik State Pedagogical University Current Issues of Modern Philology and Linguodidactics
Staatliche Pädagogische Universität Chirchik Aktuelle Fragen der modernen Philologie und Linguodidaktik
Chirchiq davlat pedagogika universiteti Zamonaviy filologiya va lingvodidaktikaning dolzarb masalalari
does, he occasionally feels let down. But Simple has a strong sense of resiliency that prevents him from dwelling on a setback for very long. Simple is a charming and likable character who has been well-developed. The situations he meets and discusses are so true to life everyone may enter the fun."
Regarding Simple's success, a reviewer for Black World said, "The people responded." Simple lived in a world they were familiar with, went through their joys and pains, reasoned in their own manner, spoke their language, laughed their laughter, expressed their concerns, and all the time he validated the knowledge that was at the core of their existence. Like Simple, Hoyt W. Fuller thought that "the key to Langston Hughes's work was his profound and deceptive simplicity." Profound because it was both willed and inexpressible; even from the outset of his adult life, he was taught by some innate sense that humanity was fundamental and that it persisted in all forms, sizes, colors, and circumstances. Violations of that humanity offended his unshakable conviction that mankind is possessed of the divinity of God."
Hughes' loss in popularity in the racially volatile final years of his life was attributed to his belief in mankind and his dream for a society in which people could coexist in sanity and understanding. Unlike younger and more militant writers, Hughes never wavered in his belief that "most people are generally good, in every race and country where I have been." Laurence Lieberman, in his review of The Panther and the Lash: Poems of Our circumstances in Poetry, acknowledged that Hughes' "sensibility [had] kept pace with the times," but questioned his lack of a personal political viewpoint. "Regrettably, in different poems, he is fatally prone to sympathize with starkly antithetical politics of race," Lieberman went on to say. "A reader can respect his Catholicism and his tolerance of all the opposing—and mutually hostile—views of his vocal compatriots, from Martin Luther King to Stokely Carmichael, but we are compelled to wonder, what are Hughes' politics? And if he does not have any, why not? The age requires intellectual dedication from its spokespersons. A poem whose primary claim on our attention is moral rather than artistic must have political positions."
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hughes's writing has had a lasting influence on American literature and continues to resonate with readers today. His ability to capture the complexities of the African American experience in a lyrical and accessible way has cemented his place as one of the most important and celebrated poets of the 20th century. His work remains a testament to the power of poetry to inspire, educate, and provoke change.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.poetryfoundation.org
2. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/langston-hughes
3. https://www.sparknotes.com
4. https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/langston-hughes/198727/
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