When I first read this poem, I kept thinking about how it seemedlike this was written in the 21st century instead of in the early part of the 20th century. It is quite clear that Hughes was as upset with the state of America back then as many of us are in this present time. He is questioning, like we still do, how a country that was "supposedly" discovered on equality, hope and humanity could have possibly let itself turn into such an unequal, hopeless and inhumane land. This is very puzzling to me considering that the pioneers who first fled Europe to come to America did so with the dream of making a new kind of country with a new set of values. Where are the values today? Instead, as Hughes stresses, they recreated the same issue on a different piece of land. One of the most remarkable parts of the poem is the line "O, let America be America again, the land that never has been yet, and yet must be". It is hard to figure out the concept that something that never was must be once again. It took me a minute to try to unfold the secret behid that and I came to the conclusion that these dreams of equality and freedom was put out there....but never actually there.
It would be interesting to compare this complaint of a particular lost vision of America with Ginsberg's "America," and esp "A supermarket in California" and from there back to Whitman's vision of America pre-29th century in a poem such as "I Hear America Singing"
ReplyDeleteReading this poem, i wouldnt say it was written in 21 century but rather written because during that era you were born in slavery or once was. Besides his experience hes describing, i would also say its the experience of his fore parents. I would say Langston Hughes is upset but moreover frustrated and concern. From reading a few of his poem, most of them are build on frustrations. This is a very emotional poem, that conveys many truth to it, a story, experience and simply life. I would compare this poem as a "prayers wish", because its not nessecarily begging but wishing for not old America, but a land that intentionally bare faith, freedom and oppurtunity. The values that this country was built on slowly vanished, but there is still hope, just like what this poem is trying to convey to me.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with a lot of what you're saying--especially about the importance of "...the land that never has been yet, and yet must be." I felt like this sentiment was peppered throughout the poem. Hughes is clear in his cynicism towards the purported greatness of America. He says, almost like the background vocals in a song "(It was never America to me.)" His challenge is in seeing the ideal of "America" in relation to the reality. It's almost a challenge (to us perhaps) to make America into "America."
ReplyDeleteI agree, the connection you made with Langston Hughe's poem and the situation at the time is quite strong. America was founded to be a land of free and opportunity, but it seems that the power has in the hand of the few who more or less do not prioritize this over profit motive.
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