Notes for Langston Hughes' Biography Born - Beacon Learning Center

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SUGGESTED Notes for Langston Hughes’ Biography Born: MISSOURI, 1902 Died: 1967 Began writing: AS A SMALL BOY Father lived in MEXICO Attended COLUMBIA University but quit after ONE YEAR Joined a boat to sail to AFRICA Stopped in 30 different ports around the world. The poem A NEGRO SPEAKS OF RIVERS was published in 1921 and in 1925 he published A COLLECTION OF POETRY. He wrote music as well as POETRY, FICTION AND DRAMA For most of his adult life, he lived in HARLEM (New York). His poetry reflects his life and culture because HE WRITES ABOUT RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, WHICH WAS VERY PREVALENT AT THAT TIME. HE WRITES ABOUT HOW IT MAKES PEOPLE FEEL. HE ALSO WRITES ABOUT POVERTY, WHICH OCCURRED DURING THE DEPRESSON, AND HIS MUSIC LYRICS WERE SET TO JAZZ, WHICH WAS VERY POPULAR DURING THE 20’S AND 30’S. Notes for Hughes’ Poetry Poem: A Dream Deferred What things does he compare a deferred dream to? A RAISIN, A SORE, A HEAVY LOAD What part of his own life might he think of as a ‘deferred dream’? FINISHING THE UNIVERSITY, OR BEING ACCEPTED BY EVERYONE WITHOUT REGARD TO HIS RACE. Poem: Dreams What should you do with your dreams? HOLD FAST TO THEM When dreams die, what two things does the author compare them to? A BROKEN-WINGED BIRD AND A BARREN FIELD Is this poem about race? NO Why or why not? EVERYONE HAS DREAMS AND FEELS FRUSTRATED AND HOPELESS WHEN THEY MUST BE DISCARDED OR CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED. Poem: Poem(2) What happened to the author’s friend in this poem? HE WENT AWAY Is race an important part of this poem? NO Why or Why not? ANYONE CAN HAVE A BELOVED FRIEND LEAVE OR MOVE AWAY Poem: I, Too What does the author have to do in this poem? EAT IN THE KITCHEN Why? BECAUSE OF HIS RACE How does he feel about it? HE FEELS ASHAMED AND BELIEVES HE IS JUST AS GOOD AS THE PERSON WHO SENDS HIM TO THE KITCHEN. Is this poem about race? YES Poem: The Negro Speaks of Rivers What four rivers does the author name? EUPHRATES, NILE, CONGO, MISSISSIPPI Why do you think he mentions four different time periods associated with the rivers? TO SHOW THAT THE NEGRO RACE HAS CONTRIBUTED TO SOCIETY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF CIVILIZATION. Is this poem about race? YES Why or why not? THE AUTHOR IS SAYING THAT THE NEGRO HAS CONTRIBUTED TO SOCIETY DOWN THROUGH THE AGES BUT HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR IT. Langston Hughes www.beaconlc.org©2002 Rev. 1/10/02
TEST for Langston Hughes (FCAT format) Directions: You may use your notes and the text of the poems to complete this test. Multiple choice questions count 1 point each. Short answer questions count 2 points and long answer questions count 4 points. 1. In the poem, ‘A Dream Deferred,’ what is a deferred or delayed dream compared to? A. A raisin dried in the sun B. A sore C. A heavy load D. All of these 2. In the poem, ‘I, Too’ where does the author have to go to eat? A. Outside the house B. In the kitchen C. On the screened-in porch D. He doesn’t get to eat. 3. In the poem, ‘I, Too’ why will “they” be ashamed? A. Because they lied to everyone B. Because they didn’t deserve to eat with everyone else C. Because the darker brother is also part of America and is beautiful D. Because no one cared 4. In Poem (2) what happened to the author’s friend? A. He argued with him. B. He became ill and could no longer play with him. C. He didn’t have a friend. D. His friend went away. 5. Which of these poems make no reference to race? A. Poem (2) B. I, Too C. The Negro Speaks of Rivers D. None of these 6. In the poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” what four rivers are mentioned? A. Colorado, Nile, Tigris, Congo B. Euphrates, Congo, Nile, Mississippi C. He doesn’t really name any specific rivers. D. Appalachicola, Missouri, Colorado, Mississippi 7. In ‘Dreams,” what should you do to your dreams? A. Tell them to someone B. Make up a poem about them C. Forget about them D. Hold fast to them 8. In ‘Dreams,’ what are dreams that are gone compared to? A. Barren fields frozen with snow B. Broken stairs C. Dust and ashes D. Dead birds 9. Langston Hughes wrote A. Songs B. Poetry C. Fiction D. All of these Langston Hughes www.beaconlc.org©2002 Rev. 1/10/02
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Notes for Langston Hughes' Biography Born - Beacon Learning Center

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