What Did Langston Hughes Learn from his Visit to the Rivers?
The Negro Speaks of Rivers is a notable literary work by Langston Hughes. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Negro Speaks of Rivers.
Answer
What did Langston Hughes learn from his visit to the rivers? [NU: 2015, 18] ★★★
In “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” (1920), Langston Hughes (1901-1967) describes his, and all African-American’s deep connection with the great rivers of the world. By visiting the rivers in his imagination, he learns about history, struggle, and the soul of his own race.
Human Civilization: Langston Hughes learns about the history of human civilization from the great rivers. He says that he has known rivers. The rivers are as ancient as the world itself. The rivers are even older than human civilization.
“I’ve known rivers ancient as the world…”
It means that the poet is a part of the history of human civilization. The entire black African-American race is a part of the history of human civilization. So, the poet says that he has bathed in the Euphrates. He has built a hut near the Congo to live in comfort. He has built the great pyramids upon the Nile. So, from these rivers, the poet learns that the black people have been present from the start of human history. The black people are also a part of great achievements like the pyramids.
Struggle for Freedom: Hughes also speaks about the Mississippi River. He connects it with Abraham Lincoln’s journey to New Orleans. This river reminds him of the struggle of the black slaves. He also says that he has seen the Mississippi turn golden in the sunset. Here, he finds hope for a brighter future for the black community.
In the end, by visiting these rivers, Hughes learns that Black history is old, rich, and unbroken. The rivers teach him wisdom and strength. That is why he says, “My soul has grown deep like the rivers.”