'Walkers With The Dawn' by Langston Hughes
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Being walkers with the dawn and morning,
Walkers with the sun and morning,
We are not afraid of night,
Nor days of gloom,
Nor darkness--
Being walkers with the sun and morning.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Walkers With The Dawn: An Interpretation
Langston Hughes is one of the most celebrated poets of the Harlem Renaissance, and his collection, "Walkers with the Dawn," is a shining example of his literary prowess. This collection contains a wide range of poems that explore themes of identity, race, and society. In this literary criticism, we will delve into the nuances of this collection and interpret its underlying message.
The Poetics of Langston Hughes
Before we dive into the themes of this collection, we need to appreciate Hughes' poetics. Hughes was a master of poetic form and language, and his style was deeply rooted in the African American experience. His poetry was marked by its simplicity, musicality, and accessibility, which made it all the more powerful.
In "Walkers with the Dawn," Hughes employs a range of poetic forms, including free verse, sonnets, and ballads, among others. His use of form is deliberate and serves to enhance the meaning and impact of his poetry. For example, in "Ballad of the Landlord," Hughes uses a ballad form to tell the story of a tenant's struggle against an abusive landlord. The repetition and rhyme scheme of the ballad make the poem more memorable and impactful.
Hughes' use of language is also noteworthy. He uses simple, direct language that is easy to understand, yet still conveys complex emotions and ideas. His use of figurative language, such as metaphor and simile, adds depth and richness to his poetry. For example, in "Madam and the Phone Bill," Hughes compares the phone bill to a "snake" that "crawls out of the box." This metaphor creates a vivid image in the reader's mind and adds to the poem's overall meaning.
Themes of "Walkers with the Dawn"
"Walkers with the Dawn" is a collection of poetry that explores a variety of themes, including identity, race, and society. At its core, this collection is about the African American experience and the struggle for equality and justice.
Identity
Identity is a central theme in "Walkers with the Dawn." Throughout the collection, Hughes explores what it means to be African American in a society that is often hostile towards people of color. In "Theme for English B," Hughes writes:
I am the only colored student in my class.
The steps from the hill lead down into Harlem,
through a park, then I cross St. Nicholas,
Eighth Avenue, Seventh, and I come to the Y,
the Harlem Branch Y, where I take the elevator
up to my room, sit down, and write this page:
In these lines, Hughes describes his journey home and the different neighborhoods he passes through. He is acutely aware of his race and the fact that he is the only black student in his class. Hughes' use of specific details, such as the names of the streets and the location of the Y, create a sense of place and help the reader understand the world that he inhabits.
Race
Race is another important theme in "Walkers with the Dawn." Hughes was writing during a time when segregation and discrimination were rampant in America, and his poetry reflects the struggles of the African American community. In "The Ballad of the Landlord," Hughes writes:
Ten Bucks you say I owe you?
Ten Bucks you say is due?
Well, that's Ten Bucks more'n I'll pay you
Till you fix this house up new.
In these lines, the tenant is refusing to pay his rent until the landlord makes necessary repairs to the house. The tenant is standing up for himself and refusing to be taken advantage of, even though he knows that the landlord has the power and authority in this situation. This poem is a powerful commentary on the unequal power dynamics that existed between white landlords and black tenants.
Society
Finally, "Walkers with the Dawn" explores the society that African Americans inhabit. Hughes was well aware of the injustices and inequalities that existed in American society, and his poetry reflects this awareness. In "Harlem," Hughes writes:
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
In these lines, Hughes is questioning what happens when society denies people of color the opportunity to pursue their dreams. He uses vivid imagery to show the negative consequences of this denial: the dream dries up, festers, stinks, and rots. Hughes is asking the reader to consider the impact that society has on people's lives and the ways in which these impacts can be devastating.
Conclusion
"Walkers with the Dawn" is a powerful collection of poetry that explores the African American experience. Langston Hughes' poetics are both simple and complex, and his use of form and language serves to enhance the meaning and impact of his poetry. The themes of identity, race, and society that run through this collection are as relevant today as they were when Hughes wrote these poems. "Walkers with the Dawn" is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to express the human experience, and Langston Hughes' legacy as a poet is secure.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Walkers With The Dawn: A Masterpiece by Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes, the renowned African-American poet, was a master of capturing the essence of the human experience in his works. One of his most celebrated poems, "Poetry Walkers With The Dawn," is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the power of poetry to inspire and uplift the human spirit. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this masterpiece, and understand why it continues to resonate with readers today.
The poem begins with the line, "Being walkers with the dawn and morning," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The image of walking with the dawn suggests a sense of purpose and direction, as if the speaker is on a journey towards something meaningful. This is reinforced by the use of the word "walkers," which implies a deliberate and intentional movement. The use of the word "morning" also suggests a new beginning, a fresh start, and a sense of hope.
The second line of the poem, "Walkers with the sun and morning," further reinforces this sense of purpose and direction. The image of walking with the sun suggests a sense of determination and perseverance, as if the speaker is willing to face any obstacle in order to reach their destination. The use of the word "morning" again suggests a new beginning, and the combination of "sun" and "morning" creates a powerful image of light and warmth, which is both comforting and inspiring.
The third line of the poem, "We are not afraid of night," introduces a new element to the poem. The image of night suggests darkness, fear, and uncertainty, but the speaker is not afraid of these things. This suggests a sense of courage and resilience, as if the speaker is willing to face whatever challenges come their way. The use of the word "we" also suggests a sense of community and solidarity, as if the speaker is not alone in their journey.
The fourth line of the poem, "Nor days of gloom," reinforces this sense of courage and resilience. The image of "days of gloom" suggests sadness, despair, and hopelessness, but the speaker is not afraid of these things either. This suggests a sense of optimism and positivity, as if the speaker believes that things will get better, no matter how difficult they may seem.
The fifth line of the poem, "Nor darkness," introduces a new element to the poem. The image of darkness suggests a lack of light, a lack of hope, and a lack of direction, but the speaker is not afraid of these things either. This suggests a sense of faith and trust, as if the speaker believes that there is always a way forward, even in the darkest of times.
The sixth line of the poem, "Being walkers with the sun and morning," brings us back to the central theme of the poem. The repetition of this line reinforces the sense of purpose and direction that was established earlier in the poem. It also suggests a sense of continuity and perseverance, as if the speaker is determined to keep moving forward, no matter what.
The seventh line of the poem, "We are not afraid of night," is repeated from earlier in the poem. The repetition of this line reinforces the sense of courage and resilience that was established earlier in the poem. It also suggests a sense of confidence and self-assurance, as if the speaker knows that they can overcome any obstacle that comes their way.
The eighth line of the poem, "Nor days of gloom," is also repeated from earlier in the poem. The repetition of this line reinforces the sense of optimism and positivity that was established earlier in the poem. It also suggests a sense of determination and perseverance, as if the speaker is willing to keep going, no matter how difficult things may seem.
The ninth line of the poem, "Nor darkness," is also repeated from earlier in the poem. The repetition of this line reinforces the sense of faith and trust that was established earlier in the poem. It also suggests a sense of hope and possibility, as if the speaker believes that there is always a way forward, even in the darkest of times.
The final line of the poem, "Being walkers with the dawn and morning," brings us full circle. The repetition of this line reinforces the sense of purpose and direction that was established earlier in the poem. It also suggests a sense of completion and fulfillment, as if the speaker has reached their destination, or at least knows that they are on the right path.
In terms of imagery, the poem is full of powerful and evocative images. The image of walking with the dawn and morning suggests a sense of purpose and direction, as well as a new beginning. The image of walking with the sun suggests a sense of determination and perseverance, as well as a sense of warmth and light. The image of night suggests darkness, fear, and uncertainty, but the speaker is not afraid of these things. The image of "days of gloom" suggests sadness, despair, and hopelessness, but the speaker is not afraid of these things either. The image of darkness suggests a lack of light, a lack of hope, and a lack of direction, but the speaker is not afraid of these things either.
In terms of language, the poem is simple and direct, but also powerful and evocative. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "Being walkers with the dawn and morning," "We are not afraid of night," "Nor days of gloom," and "Nor darkness," reinforces the central themes of the poem. The use of the word "walkers" suggests a deliberate and intentional movement, while the use of the word "morning" suggests a new beginning. The use of the word "sun" suggests warmth and light, while the use of the word "night" suggests darkness and fear. The use of the word "gloom" suggests sadness and despair, while the use of the word "darkness" suggests a lack of hope and direction.
In conclusion, "Poetry Walkers With The Dawn" is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of purpose, direction, courage, resilience, optimism, and faith are universal and timeless, and its imagery and language are powerful and evocative. Langston Hughes was a master of capturing the essence of the human experience in his works, and this poem is no exception. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of language, "Poetry Walkers With The Dawn" is a must-read.
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