Raymond Smith once wrote that Hughes tried to combine the two facets (American and Negro) of double consciousness into one vision – that a poet. Langston Hughes is perhaps the most well-known black American poet. He often incorporates these complementary aspects into his poetry. Langston Hughes’ poetry demonstrates the concept that there is more to life than one perspective.
Hughes illustrates an American issue in “American Heartbreak” by using themes common to African American art. In this composition, freedom is the principal expression. It is important to acknowledge the existence of some freedom. This is similar to what the author is doing with this poem. The speaker discredits the idea that America is the land where equality reigns. He acknowledges the shortcomings of America’s declared freedom when it comes to being lived out. He believes that “Freedom/Stutches its Toes” is a term that refers to the group of people America has ignored over its history. While the idea of a specific group lacking freedom is not something that blacks are able to express, it is common in their art. Hughes also mentions a historical event, “The great mistake/That Jamestown / Made many years ago.” This allusion refers both to the establishment of plantations as well as the implementation of a system that demanded the submission of an entire race. This clearly hinders freedom for those subjugated who were denied their fundamental human rights. Hughes is directing an American message that calls for freedom and reconciliation for those who were subjugated. Hughes criticizes those who use fear to get democracy. He says, “Democracy can’t be achieved through compromise and fear.” Hughes seems convinced that the United States government has been created at the expense or the wants and needs of blacks. They were forced to sacrifice their family and personal lives to create this nation under the slavery travesty. He also said that he was tired of hearing people say “Let things happen their way.” He’s essentially condemning people who don’t take an active role in the pursuit of equality and freedom. He promotes cooperation and effort between all races to build a genuine democracy. The speaker, like many other blacks acknowledges that he is not free as the rest of us. The speaker pleads for freedom, “I want to be free / Just like you.” This poem was written in the midst of oppression and discrimination. It is safe to assume that the speaker is black and has suffered this. He also wants equality for all people. He combines the American ideals of freedom and an African-American analysis.
“Refugeese” offers another way to have dual consciousness. It is a combination of the American perspective and the perspective of an unidentified refugee. This poem celebrates America’s freedom. The speaker states that freedom sings “on my hearts strings” / Everyday.” He has such positive dispositions because it leads to positive changes in his life. He fled oppression and tyranny in his homeland to seek refuge in America where he experienced freedom like no other. The speaker exclamates, “If I had known what you knew / You’d know why.” This juxtaposition shows not only the refugee’s joy at having fled his past but also the realization that Americans take their freedom for granted. The refugee has escaped his past, but he still wants to tell the people about the atrocities in the rest. This is similar to what happened to the blacks after they escaped from slavery’s yolk and began the Civil Rights movement to educate and persuade others to accept equality in all aspects. Hughes further develops this position by drawing a parallel to an African-American refugee and African-American who have both experienced oppression.
Langston Hughes, a poet of great skill, has created poetry that is both American and Negro-centric. This allows him to present his view that the United States does have some freedom, but not for everyone. Freedom is not easily available to all Americans who live under the government’s control, whether because of discrimination and/or a lack thereof. Hughes admits to this and uses his poetry to express the American black experience.
