Langston Hughes

READ THESE POEMS. THEN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW IN AN ESSAY:

http://www.cswnet.com/~menamc/langston.htm

http://poemhunter.com/poem/mother-to-son/

http://poemhunter.com/poem/i-too/

http://library.crisischronicles.com/2009/04/08/song-for-a-dark-girl-by-langston-hughes.aspx

http://allpoetry.com/poem/8495547-The_Ballad_Of_The_Landlord-by-Langston_Hughes

http://allpoetry.com/poem/8495533-Madam_and_The_Rent_Man-by-Langston_Hughes

http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/~keith/poems/English_B.html

http://www.melroseschools.com/mms/MCAS Eng for Grade 7 Wk of March 24th.pdf

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/let-america-be-america-again/

http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/langston_hughes/poems/16950

After reading a Langston Hughes poem, Ezra Pound wrote to Hughes: Thank God; at last I come across a poem I can understand” (qtd. in Nat Hentoff). In the introduction to Hughes in the text, DiYanni quotes the poet: Poetry should be direct, comprehensible, and the epitome of simplicity”. Arnold Rampersad writes that Hughes wished to write no verse that was beyond the ability of the masses of people to understand. How are these statements reflected in Hughess poems? Does Hughess poetics limit him as a poet? Are his poems simplistic in style and theme as a result? Or are they in some way energized, specific, and very meaningful? In a sense, can they be simple but not simplistic?

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