In “Minstrel Man,” by Langston Hughes, repetition, metaphor, and imagery are used to strengthen the theme that sorrow can be hidden by putting up joyful actions. To begin with, repetition is used when Hughes repeats the phrase, “Because my mouth is wide with laughter” to start each stanza. Repetition is used in this expression to highlight that no matter how happy he may seem to be, there will always be something about him that will be kept hidden. Secondly, metaphor is used when Hughes quotes, “I have held my pain so long?” and “You do not hear my inner cry?” Pain can not be physically held/or carried. Also the inner of a person does not cry, he shows that he hides these feeling by being “deep in song” or “gay with dancing.” Lastly Hughes
