Walt Whitman And Langston Hughes - 1009 Words

Walt Whitman is a renowned American poet. He served as an example for all to follow. He put thoughts into peoples head. Whitman was very influential and had a very big effect on people. Langston Hughes was also a very influential American poet. He was known for changing others opinion of race and making their oppression evident to others. Hughes was very influenced by Whitman and he caused him to want to make a difference in peoples thoughts on his race. Whitman wrote a poem called I Hear America Singing and some people believe that it influenced Hughes poem, I, Too, Sing America. Hughe builds on Whitmans poems in these categories; structure and technique, themes, and effect on people and society. Hughe built on Whitmans poem in the†¦show more content†¦This was a cause for celebration, hence the symbol of singing. Whitman lists each profession followed by what they do and how it is their distinct song. He also related this to how wach one is American and this variety and jo y is what makes them American. The point he is trying to get across, is that the freedom in America is a cause for celebration and should not be taken for granted. We need to enjoy the freedom we have been so graciously blessed with. There is nothing more special than the ability to freely do what we find desirable each and every day. Hughes poem, I, Too, Sing America, is very different in the theme; the main theme is how he is viewed in America, being an African-American. He talks about how he treated differently because of his color. For example, I am the darker brother/ They send me to eat in the kitchen/ When company comes(Lines 2-4). It is clear that he is not treated equally because of his skin color. In this poem, he explains that, although he has dark skin, he too sings. He wants to, and is apart of their culture and country. Nothing and nobody can take that away from him. He explains that one day everyone will see how beautiful he is and be ashamed of how they treated him. These two poems, clearly have different themes; however, Hughes poem, I, Too, Sing America, builds off of Whitmans poem, I Hear America Singing, by saying that he is just as American and wants to enjoy the freedom of the country he resigns in and can sing just asShow MoreRelatedWalt Whitman And Langston Hughes Analysis796 Words   |  4 PagesWalt Whitman and Langston Hughes. Two highly renowed poets. One of Whitmans most known poems, I Hear America Singing, is about living the American life; he explains multiple types of people in his piece of work and how they are all a part of America. Similar to this, Langston Hughes wrote the poem I, Too, Sing America, and in this, he includes African Americans, suggesting that Whitman left some people out. Also saying, that blacks are proud and just as big of a part of America as anyone elseRead MoreWalt Whitman, Langston Hughes, And Tupac Shakur1088 Words   |  5 PagesWalt Whitman, Langston Hughes, and Tupac Shakur have a major role in English Literature, Even though they live during the different time periods from different backgrounds, and they all have written many poems about the American dream. When it comes to the American dream, people have different points of view on the topic. Many people believe that American dream is about all American citizens having equal rights and opportunities to achieve the success through hard work. On the other hand, many peopleRead MoreLangston Hughes And I Hear America Singing By Walt Whitman940 Words   |  4 Pagesgain a better understanding of the theme they are implying. In the contrast between the poems â€Å"I, too, sing America† by Langston Hughes, and â€Å"I hear America singing† by Walt Whitman it is clear that the two poets have very different point of views regarding American patriotism. Walt Whitman’s views on America’s joy and peace in his poems are very straightforward, while Langston Hughes poem--a response to Whitman’s--wan ts the reader to acknowledge what America should be like for everyone, including peopleRead MoreI Too by Langston Hughes vs One Song America Before I Go by Walt Whitman1307 Words   |  6 Pagesself back and need to start taking pride in what they do and where they’re from. In â€Å"One Song, America, Before I Go† by Walt Whitman and â€Å"I Too† by Langston Hughes, the speakers celebrated the concepts of individuality, originality, and nationality. People of all kinds are influenced by their everyday life and it shows in their work. Walt Whitman is no exception to this rule. Whitman was born in 1819 on Long Island, New York. From there he was a free spirit. He worked many different jobs includingRead MoreThe Difference Between Langston Hughes And I Hear America Singing998 Words   |  4 PagesIn this essay I will be talking about the differences between Walt Whitmans poem â€Å" I Hear America Singing† and Langston Hughes poem â€Å" I, Too, Sing America†. I will also be giving my opinion on whether or not Langston Hughes is responding to Walt Whitmans poem. Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and a columnist from Joplin, Missouri. Walt Whitman was an American poet, essayist, and a journalist from West Hills, New York. This is all just background informationRead MoreSimilarities And Similarities Between Langston Hughes And I Hear America Singing835 Words   |  4 Pagesb est in their lifetimes. The first poem is written by Walt Whitman and is called â€Å" I Hear America Singing†. The other poem is by Langston Hughes and is called â€Å"I, Too, Sing America† .Many people believe that Langston Hughes wrote his poem â€Å"I, Too, Sing America† in response to Walt Whitmans poem â€Å" I Hear America Singing†. Some people have a completely opposite opinion and say that the two poems have nothing to with each other. Langston Hughes did many things in his life. Some of them include beingRead MoreLangston Hughes Essay1084 Words   |  5 PagesLangston Hughes was a large influence on the African-American population of America. Some of the ways he did this was how his poetry influenced Martin Luther King Jr. and the Harlem Renaissance. These caused the civil rights movement that resulted in African-Americans getting the rights that they deserved in the United States. Hughes was born in 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. His parents divorc ed when he was young and his grandmother raised him. She got him into literature and education; she was one ofRead MoreChallenges in The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain by Langston Hughes2027 Words   |  8 Pageswords taken from the essay â€Å"The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain,† Langston Hughes offers insightful statements that verge on the boundary of being, in a sense, challenges. He is directly confronting the implicit wariness of social stratification in that he dismisses the societal need for humans to conform and to adopt personalities and views for themselves that are significantly molded by the outside world. Langston Hughes is saying that humans, no matter their circumstance or origin, have theRead MoreAnalysis Of Walt Whitman s Works And Pieces1452 Words   |  6 Pagesthat are preventing freedom. As America develops its culture, these unintimidated activists have similar dreams including Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes, Charlotte Gilman, Malala Yousaf zi, Alice Paul, and Martin Luther King Jr. influence their views of society to promote equality and social change. Walt Whitman’s works and pieces illuminates on the potential of America. Whitman is a very outspoken and an optimistic poet and feels that when he was visiting New Orleans this truly exposed him to theRead MoreI Too Sing America999 Words   |  4 Pages In the poem I Too Sing America, by Langston Hughes had a significant message in that he desired to voice his expression on the issue of black oppression in America. Langston basic themes focused on the American Dream and the possibilities of hope and advancement were constantly present in his poetry. The tension between the unrealized dream and the realities of the black experience in America provided this insight to the black world. Langston Hughes undoubtedly saw himself first and foremost