Essay On The Negro Speaks Of Rivers

When Hughes wrote, he would take a very complex topic, such as race relations, and make a simple piece of work. His poems have a very simple meaning when read literally. However, when his works are read beyond the words, the reader can make many connections to other topics. Hughes knew “that only responding honestly to the life he finds around him he can make great art” (Longabucco 1). He was able to present the facts of race relations because he showed no remorse for speaking the truth. Hughes was able to write so freely because he said his dad’s conflicting views made him want to write. He could have accepted his father’s ideas of minority groups, but he instead chose to be proud of his race. One of the works he wrote after an argument with his dad, “The …show more content…
Hughes started thinking about his life experiences. It then led to him thinking about the Mississippi River and then to him thinking about all of the world’s major rivers. Within the train ride to Mexico, Hughes had completed the poem, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”. It was his first work published in the magazine, The Crisis. His poem was a defining work and “through images of rivers, African civilizations, and an ‘I’ who speaks for the race, Hughes argues for the depth, wisdom and endurance of the African soul” (“Explanation” 1). It is ironic how he wrote a poem that portrayed African-American pride. He knew he was going to see his father and knew what his father believed, yet still wrote the poem. Hughes knew that his dad would not approve of this poem because of its ideas. However, Hughes was raised to be proud of his black heritage and accept all people. His father had indirectly taught him what not to write. As a result, Hughes wrote about topics his father would definitely disagree on. Hughes used first person in the poem to represent his experiences and the history of