What Did Langston Hughes Learn from his Visit to the Rivers?

Answer

 What did Langston Hughes learn from his visit to the rivers?  [NU. 2015, 2018] ★★★

In Langston Hughes’s (1901-1967) poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” (1921), the speaker reflects on his deep connection to ancient rivers. These rivers represent the long history and enduring strength of the African American experience. Through his symbolic visit to these rivers, Hughes learns valuable lessons about resilience, identity, and the continuity of black culture.

Connection to Ancient History: Hughes learns that black history is deeply rooted in the very beginnings of human civilization. The speaker mentions, 

I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.

He connects himself to the cradle of civilization. This connection to ancient rivers like the Euphrates and the Nile teaches Hughes that African Americans have a rich and ancient heritage.

Strength and Resilience: The rivers also teach Hughes about the strength and resilience of black people. When the speaker says, 

My soul has grown deep like the rivers

It suggests that, like the rivers, the souls of black people have endured countless challenges. Their wisdom and experience have made them deep. This resilience is a key lesson that Hughes learned from his symbolic journey.

Continuity of Black Culture: Another lesson Hughes learns is the continuity of black culture across time and space. By mentioning rivers from different parts of the world—the Euphrates, Congo, Nile, and Mississippi, Hughes illustrates that black culture is not confined to one place or time. It is continuous and unbroken, just like the flow of these ancient rivers.

In short, from his symbolic visit to the rivers, Langston Hughes learns about the deep roots, strength, and continuity of the African American experience. Through this understanding, Hughes’s soul, like the rivers, grows deeper with wisdom and resilience.