The Negro Speaks of Rivers by Langston Hughes

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Langston Hughes wrote the poem when he was 17 years old while on a train ride to Mexico, visiting his father. When the train crossed the Mississippi River, he was inspired by its beauty as well as reminded him of its role in sustaining slavery in America. [1]

And then, he “began to think what that river … meant to Negroes in the past.” The river, in the poem, offers both pain and identity: slavery and African-American ancestry. [2]

Poetry

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

Langston Hughes - 1902-1967

I've known rivers:

I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the

    flow of human blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.

I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.

I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.

I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln

    went down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy
    bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

I've known rivers:

Ancient, dusky rivers.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers. [3]

Author

James Mercer Langston Hughes or well known as Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri on February 1, 1902. He was raised by his grandmother until he was thirteen as Hughes’ parents divorced when he was a young child, and his father moved to Mexico. [4]

Langston Hughes was an American poet, novelist, social activist, playwright, and columnist from Joplin, Missouri. One of the earliest innovations, new literary art called jaz poetry, he is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. [5]

Hughes published his first poem in 1921 and published his first book in 1926. He attended Columbia University, but left after one year to travel. His works in writing went on countless works of poetry, prose, and plays, as well as a popular column of the Chicago Defender. [6]

Racism Issue

The Negro Speaks of River is a poem by American poet Langston Hughes, written in 1920. The story of the poem traces black history from the past, the beginning of human civilization, to the present. This poem argued that black soul has incorporated every aspect and experience in history.

It gives suggestion that black cultural identity is continuous, stretches to violence and displacement of slavery whcih connected with the past. Though black people have a vital role in culture and civilization, yet people often neglected their contributions. [7]

The poem also show dignified and wise by establishing a connection between the ancient rivers of the past, in which the civilization birthed, to the prominent Mississippi, where slaves were traded throughout America. The poet showed confidence and wisdom by saying "I’ve known rivers" repeatedly.

Referring to the poem, rivers represent the passage of time, history, and influence. Illustrating his connection to the past which shapes his current culture as well as his understanding of humanity. The three great rivers (Eupherates, Congo, and Nile) carry history, culture, ideas, tradition, and memories of the majestic kingdom in Africa with them to America. [8]

References