How does Langston Hughes expose the ugly aspects of American life?

Answer

How does Langston Hughes expose the ugly aspects of American life? [NU: 2015, 18, 22] ★★★ 

Langston Hughes (1901–1967) was one of the most important voices of the Harlem Renaissance. In his poems, he spoke for the Black community in America. He showed their pain, their history, their music, and their dreams. Hughes often exposed the ugly aspects of American life, such as racism, inequality, suffering, and broken dreams. His poems give us both sadness and hope.

Racial Inequality: In “I, Too, Sing America” (1926), Hughes shows the ugly side of racial inequality in America. In this poem, the speaker is a black man. He calls himself “the darker brother.” Because of his skin color, he is not given respect. He sadly says that he is sent to eat in the kitchen when guests come. He is not allowed to sit at the table with others.

“They send me to eat in the kitchen

When company comes.”

This shows how Black people are separated and treated as inferior. But instead of crying, he laughs, eats well, and grows strong. He hopes that one day he will sit at the table and eat together. So, Hughes shows the ugliness of racism but also the hope that one day America will accept Black people as equal.

Loneliness and Pain: Hughes depicts the loneliness and pain of the black Americans in his 1925 poem “The Weary Blues.” Here, the poet describes a Black musician playing the piano on Lenox Avenue in Harlem. The music is slow, sad, and sleepy. The singer sings:

“I ain’t happy no mo’ 

And I wish that I had died.”

Here, the singer is sad because of racial injustice. His sadness is actually the sadness of all black African-Americans. This is another ugly aspect of American life.

Broken Dreams: In “Harlem” (1951), Hughes shows that the rightful demands of the black