The Negro Speaks of Rivers :: Literature Analysis, Langston Hughes

The Negro Speaks of Rivers by Langston Hughes is a compelling poetry in which Hughes explores not solitary(prenominal) his own past, however the past of the dull race. As the rivers muddyen over time, the Negros soul does too their waters incessantly flow, as the black soul suffers.Analyzing the poems title sets a somber, yet prideful tone for this poem. The fact that the title does not plead I Speak of Rivers, but instead, The Negro Speaks of Rivers (1) shows that he is not only a Negro, but that he is not one specific Negro, but in his first person commentary, he is speaking for all Negroes. However, he is not just speaking for any Negroes. Considering the allusions to Mississippi (9) and Abe Lincoln (9) ar not only to Negroes but also to America, confirms that Hughes is talking for all African Americans. This poem is a proclamation on the whole of African American history as it has grown and flourished along the rivers which gave life to these people. The diction of super annuated (3) proves once more that Hughes is talking about the history and roots of African Americans. The word ancient itself means something that is decrepit, old, and primitive, clearly a word to be used when discussing a history and a journey. This word, which was repeated twice in the passage, emphasizes that there has been a long and difficult wait for equality for blacks. That although they chip in been around since ancient (3) times, since so long before, they still are fight for racial equality.Hughes emphasizes his message consistently throughout this poem, weaving in the roughly important line in the middle and end of the poem. He is representing his people. African Americans have waited and been abused by society, and this deepened and weathered their souls over time, just as a river would become deepened and weathered. Hughes soul, the collective soul of African Americans, has become deep like the rivers (5). This simile speaks that the rivers are part of the body, a nd contribute to this immortality that Hughes is so terrible to achieve for his people. Rivers are the earthly symbols of eternity deep, constant, mystifying.The rivers are named in a specific order in the order of their association with black history. By using many allusions, the context of which Hughes wants to draw attention to is evident. He begins when dawns were one-year-old (6), which refers to a time when blacks were used as slaves along the Euphrates in occidental Asia, and ends with the Emancipation Proclamation of Abe Lincoln (9) when slaves were finally freed men.