Langston Hughes

THE NEGRO SPEAKS OF RIVERS

One of Hughes’s earliest and most famous poems, it connects African American history to the imagery of great rivers. The poem reflects themes of resilience and pride in African heritage.

HARLEM

This poem famously asks, "What happens to a dream deferred?" It explores the frustration and potential violence of unfulfilled dreams, particularly within the context of African American experience.

I, TOO

In this poem, Hughes asserts the dignity and strength of African Americans. It is a direct response to Walt Whitman’s I Hear America Singing, declaring that African Americans are also part of the American story.

JAZZ POETRY

Hughes was known for incorporating the rhythms of jazz and blues into his poetry, reflecting the influence of African American music on his writing and the Harlem Renaissance.

MONTAGE OF A DREAM DEFERRED

This book-length poem sequence explores life in Harlem in the 1950s. Its fragmented structure and shifting voices reflect the dynamic nature of the urban experience.