Theme For English B

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Theme for English B Analysis Langston Hughes’ poem “Theme for English B” is a powerful three stanza piece which discusses a notorious issue. There is minimal complexity in Hughes choice of diction, yet there is influence and cleverness throughout this poem. Hughes begins to construct a list of things that bring him pleasure, “Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love….” He reasons, that being an African American does not make him that much different from other races. The question occurs to him, “So will my page be colored that I write?” He wonders if his race will make a difference in what he writes, and he wonders whether he will be able to communicate with a white instructor, because he is black. Langston Hughes is discussing equality, which at the time this poem was written was quite controversial. I read this poem as if it was literally Langston himself writing it for his professor. So in my interpretation of the poem a young Langston Hughes is the protagonist writing this poem for his English B professor. The clear antagonist of the story is the professor who assigned the class to write a poem. This poem takes a different approach than I’m used to seeing in the struggle between the protagonist and antagonist. Langston being the only colored student in his class worries that his paper will not be received the same as his white peers. Langston describes his walk back to Harlem after class and all the history he passes on his way. I feel that Langston has a greater appreciation for his schooling than his peers because he has crossed many obstacles to obtain

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