"Theme for English B" is a poem written by Langston Hughes, one of the most prominent figures in the Harlem Renaissance. The poem explores the idea of identity and the struggles of being a young, African American man in a world that often seeks to define and categorize people based on their race, ethnicity, and other external factors.
In "Theme for English B," Hughes speaks to the theme of self-discovery and the search for one's own identity. The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging that he is "the only colored student in class" and that he has been asked to write a page about himself for his English assignment. The speaker then goes on to describe his experiences and observations, including his love of jazz music, his sense of connection to his African American heritage, and his desire to be seen as an individual rather than simply a member of a racial group.
One of the central themes of "Theme for English B" is the idea of individuality and the importance of being true to oneself. The speaker asserts that "I am the only one for me," suggesting that he believes that he is the only person who can truly understand and define his own identity. This idea is further reinforced by the speaker's reference to jazz music, which is often associated with individuality and self-expression.
Another theme in "Theme for English B" is the idea of belonging and the struggle to find one's place in the world. The speaker describes his experiences with race and discrimination, noting that he has often been treated differently because of the color of his skin. This suggests that the speaker has struggled to find a sense of belonging and acceptance in a society that has often sought to define him based on his race rather than his individual characteristics.
Overall, "Theme for English B" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of identity, individuality, and belonging. Through its focus on the struggles and experiences of a young, African American man, Hughes's poem speaks to the universal human desire to find one's place in the world and to be seen and accepted for who one truly is.
Theme for English B
Nor do I often want to be a part of you. Note that in lines like, "I am the only colored student in my class" line 10 the creation of the end-stopped line can contribute to the rhythm and meaning of the poem. What does the speaker mean by saying that he and the professor are a part of each other? But for the speaker, this assignment raises complicated questions about race, identity, and belonging. Rhetorical questions are questions that are asked to create a dramatic effect or emphasize a point rather than to yield an answer. What I took from this stanza was that the person we become is influenced by who and what is around us. By using the move from the south to the north, Kristina suggests that it was a change that was caused by oppression. The essence of this piece portrays a war between identity and reality in a dynamic world whose opinions are ever-changing.
“Theme for English B” by Langston Hughes Analysis Essay Example
And let that page come out of you— Then, it will be true. He also includes that he himself can learn from the teacher. What literary device is used in line 23 of the poem wonder? He acknowledges that he is the only black student in the class and his teacher is white as well. The Great Depression had come knocking, which lead to the associations supporting the cause to turn their heads to social and economic issues. It is a common practice for poets to alter the traditional meaning of words and use the context to provide an alternate meaning.
The author emphasizes on the fact that being American is not superficial, since their connection is based on similar culture. How is alliteration used in Theme for English B? What is the significance of the title Theme for English B? Form The poem is basically free verse and in no particular form. I like to work, read, learn, and understand life. The speaker is starting to incorporate some of the instructor's rhyme into his own style. This being that sometimes a white person doesnt want anything to do with a black person and vice versa, but its impossible because our population consists of every nationality out there. At this point, the reader can imagine the student sitting up straighter at his desk and writing with more energy.
I hear New York, too. Being me, it will not be white. The thoughts and feelings come in a continuous flow. The author redefined the word American in modernist terms to bypass the near physical characteristic of the word and instead used it to note how complementing and sharing values is what really defined the word, or at least in relation to his poem. Before he gets into that, Hughes once again makes a comment that seems to disagree with the topic of the paper. Which is the best statement of a major Theme of Theme for English B? Each stanza contributes to the main themes of the poem, which I believe are that the color of the skin does not ultimately determine the character someone eventually becomes. After attempting to receive a degree in engineering at Columbia University, Langston went back to his love of writing.
Its not hard to see the similarities between the student in this poem and the man who wrote it. It was part of Hughes' collection of poetry titled Montage of a Dream Deferred. Nor do I often want to be a part of you. I like a pipe for a Christmas present, Or records—Bessie, boy, or Bach. Hughes was a key player during the Harlem Renaissance. And let that page come out of you— Then, it will be true.
Get your paper price 124 experts online The art of writing was Langstons calling, but his father didnt believe he could make a living simply because he was black. This poem was not restrained by any structure. What is the alliteration in the poem Theme for English B? Right from the beginning, the black speaker struggles to come up to the expectations of his white professor. I myself went with the whole equality route. I like a pipe for a Christmas present, Or records--Bessie, bop, or Bach. Language and Imagery The voice is that of the speaker who is also the poet.
How does society identify the narrator in Theme for English B? We see the first conflict of interest when the student sets the tone for the poem by implying that it wouldnt be so easy. By taking the free flowing beats of jazz and the unlimited language pattern in bebop, Hughes combined both styles in order to establish the form and structure of this poem. I believe the main purpose of this poem was to inform and enlighten. They first identify him as an African American. The few lines that make up the first stanza introduce the plot of the poem to the reader.
You are white- yet a part of me, as I am a part of you. The steps from the hill lead down into Harlem Through a park, then I cross St. I guess being colored doesn't make me not like the same things other folks like who are other races. It accentuates the thematic idea that people can live in multiple worlds, but moreover, it contemplates the many pieces that make up a person's identity. The line, "Nor do I often want to be a part of you" line 35 is an example of an end-stopped line.
I am the only colored student in my class. Enjambed lines are lines that run over into the next line without any sort of punctuation. He also writes that the college sits "on the hill above Harlem" line 9. The grade will be based on the writing being honest and individual to you. Then he begins writing in his mind: He is twenty-two Colored Born in North Carolina Then to college in Harlem He is the only colored student in the class He is living in the YMCA He rides the elevator to his room and begins to put his thoughts on paper. Lesson Summary In his poem Theme for English B, Langston Hughes tells the story of a young Black student contemplating a writing assignment, but in doing so also incorporates poetic elements in order to create rhythm and mood and to emphasize his messages.
Theme for English B by Langston Hughes Free Essay Example
Which statement is the best statement of a major Theme of Theme for English B? This was Hughes first published work. The essence of this piece portrays a war between identity and reality in a dynamic world whose opinions are ever-changing. 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: It's not easy to know what is true for you or me At twenty-two, my age. What literary devices are used in Theme for English B? After many paragraphs about the music during Hughes era, Zarlengo finally gets back to Theme for English B. But it will be A part of you, instructor. But I guess what" lines 16-17 are examples of enjambed lines.
