I too and langston hughes life

1. I, TOO
A Multimedia Presentation
Langston Hughes – His
Poetry and His Legacy

2. Langston Hughes
•Hughes was a prominent figure during the Harlem
Renaissance in the 1920s
•His connection to Harlem in his writing earned
him the title Poet Laureate of Harlem
•He was known for the use of jazz and black folk
rhythms in his poetry, which depicted the
experiences of the urban African American

3. Literary Works
•Hughes wrote more
than 60 books.
•He wrote in many
genres: poetry, fiction,
autobiographies, and
children’s books

4. Distinguished Works
•Hughes’ first published was also one of his
most famous, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers
•In 1924, Langston Hughes wrote his first
book of poetry entitled The Weary Blues.
•In 1930, he wrote his first novel, entitled
Not Without Laughter, which won the
Harmon gold medal for literature.

5. I, Too Sing America
•In 1925, Hughes wrote
a poem entitled I, Too,
Sing America.
•Through the use of
vivid imagery, Hughes
expressed his feelings
toward racism

6. I, TOO,
SING
AMERICA
By: Langston Hughes

7. I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes

8. But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

9. Tomorrow, I'll be at the
table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me, "Eat in the
kitchen,"
Then.

10. Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed–
I, too, am America.

11. Poetry Analysis
•I, Too is an anti-discrimination poem,
which shows the injustices of racism
•The poem is situated in America and
describes a black man’s personal experience
with racial discrimination
•He is treated as if he is an embarassment to
the white people, and made to feel inferior
to them

12. Poetry Analysis
•The tone changes throughout the poem
• In the first line, the tone is patriotic. The line, “I,
too, sing America,” indicates the national anthem,
and symbolizes unity throughout the nation
•In the next stanza, the tone is of anger, strength,
and determination. The man is enraged at how he
is treated, but he knows is strong enough to fight
back. This is evident in the line, “But I laugh/ and
eat,/ And grow strong

13. Poetry Analysis
•The following stanza’s tone is of warning
and caution.
•The man warns the people that he will
demand to be treated equal.
•Overall, this poem shows Hughes’ ability to
perservere, despite unequal conditions in
America.

14. Poetry Analysis
•Hughes reveals how America “covers up”
her racial discrimination “problems”.
•He also wants to convey the importance of
racial equality
•He wants the reader to understand that this
is not just a personal experience, but a voice
of his people.

15. HugHes’ Influence on
tHe cIvIl RIgHts
MoveMent
•Something
•Something else
•Wheee

16. HugHes’ Influence on
tHe cIvIl RIgHts
MoveMent

17. Poet Laureate of Harlem
lAngston
HugHes:
1902-1967