Essay- "The Black Poet as Canon-Maker"

[Ms. Knarr]

www.poetryfoundation.org/article/177377

Read essay found here.

[gabbymcgovern]

I believe that the overall meaning of the essay is that different cultures have the ability to participate in society, without anyone trying to stop them. The essay describes how black writers, like Langston Hughes, were able to change the history of African American culture. Throughout time, we have come to recognize black writers and this essay shows how the Harlem Renaissance was the beginning of success for black writers. This essay uses quotes from other black writers, and these quotes helped to tell the struggles that they faced. This essays also emphasizes that Langston Hughes and other black writers are remembered today because they stood up against racism in their writings. Even though poetry was still segregated in the 1960's, the Harlem Renassisnce briught great change. Poetry can be used to show emotions, and Langston Hughes wrote about the lives and hardships of African Americans.

Personally, I felt proud of the black writers during the Harlem Renaissance after I read this essay. It made me think about how black writers have come such a long way from their start. It's amazing to think that Langston Hughes and other writers had the determination and power to create poems and anthologies that are still read today. What is even cooler is that Hughes used his writings to fight racism and to show his love that he had for black people. James Weldon Johnson once said, "The world does not know that a people is great until that people produces great literature and art." Langston Hughes was able to create poetry and anthologies that let the world know about black writers.

1. Is the Canon -Maker just Langston Hughes? Or can you consider that all of the black writers during the Harlem Renaissance set the canon for change?
2. One thing that I do not understand is if New Negro Poets and Poets of Today: A New American Anthology were influential. Are they read today? How many black writers had their writings in these two works?
3. Can you infer that Langston Hughes is remembered today for his anthologies? Do you look at Hughes as an anthologizer or as just a poet?
4. What is the meaning behind the title of the essay? How does it connect to the Langston Hughes?

[elineal]

1. I agree with Gaby’s statements. I think the meaning of this essay was to show that different cultures can add to the collection of literary works. I think Langston Hughes was so remembered because of what he wrote about but also because he lived his life by what he wrote. He became a great face for the Harlem Renaissance because he lived out what he wrote.

2. I liked the piece and its explanation of Hughes impact to society. Like Gabby I felt proud of those before me who made a difference in literature. The fact that he used literature to fight society was amazing.

3.
(Answering question 4) I think the meaning behind the title is that writers like Hughes changed some of society’s rules and made his rules stick.

4. Why do you think people wanted to read so much of Langston Hughes?

[jessicanoel]

1. This essay discusses how influential writers such as Langston Hughes have changed African American culture. The author describes how poems can be powerful. They have the ability to interest, upset, or influence people. This essay also discusses the beginning of a peak for African American literature during the Harlem Renaissance. Even though segregation was still popular at the time, that did not stop the writers from prospering.

2. I agree with Eli and Gabby about being proud of the writers development and success. After having gone through so much, it's amazing that they were able to hold their ground and become successful writers. I personally would not have been that strong and might have given up. Which is why I loved that the essay talked about how Langston Hughes used his writings as a defense against racism and other injustices. I learned a lot from this essay.

Answer to question one: I think the Canon-Maker include all black writers. Langston Hughes was like role model who got everyone else started and all the writers brought forth change.

Q1: Do you think if Langston Hughes did not start that things would be different today? Or would someone else have tried?

[gabbymcgovern]

1. Yes, Eli I agree with you. Hughes definitely changed things for African Americans. This title simply says that he was the man responsible for the change. Hughes is the black poet and the canon maker. In addition, Jess, I disagree with you. I think that the canon-maker is specifically Langston Hughes. I do agree with you that he was the man who instigated and brought the necessary change. But I see the maker of change as only Langston Hughes. Other black writers followed his lead.

2. Eli's question- I think that people wanted to read so much of Langston Hughes because he was inspiring. Hughes spoke the truth, and as Eli said, he lived out what he wrote about. Hughes was not all talk, but rather he took action. He let the world know the hardships that he and his people were facing. People are attracted to his openness and his way of expression in his writings.
My question- After reading this essay, did you feel like you could bring about permanent change the way Langston Hughes did?

[dylanzaliwski]

1. The essay shows how any person can have a large impact on society through literature. The essay also expresses how people of any culture have the chance to make a lasting impression on society. Many African-American writers, like Langston Hughes, had many hardships to overcome during this time period and the essay shows how their ability to prevail over racism through their writings helped to shape our nation.

2. I enjoyed this piece and its overall message. The essay talks about determination and courage, which African-American writers like Langston Hughes needed at the time. It shows that anyone can make an impact if they have the courage and determination to do so.

3. (Answering Jess' Question) If Langston Hughes did not write and encourage African-Americans to express themselves through literature, I still believe someone would have done the same because there were other writers who felt this way also, so eventually someone would have tried to make a change.

(My Question) Which is more important to the development of African-American literature, Langston Hughes' poems and stories or his anthologies?

[colleenpoling]

1. I think the overall message and meaning of this essay was to tell the readers that Langston Hughes influence Literature greatly, and he did so by ignoring his race of anything that might have put him down on the way. I also believe this essay was written to tell everyone that different cultures can impact society like peers have briefly stated above. In literature it is important to get a view from different backgrounds from different people. Langston Hughes effected literature and society with his great pieces which spoke of important topics and ideas. It stop of the importance of writers speaking what they felt through their pieces during the hardships faced during the Harlem Renaissance.

2. Overall, I enjoyed this essay and the point which came across. It was interesting to really think and understand that there was great truth in this essay about Langston Hughes and his determination. I also enjoyed this because I liked to read about Langston Hughes himself and his personal specific work. I learned a lot from this essay about how hard it really was for him and other writes. It makes one think that we maybe hav iet "easy" and we should repsect those who faced much harder events.

3.(Answer to Jess) I think things would be close to what they are today with rights and such. I mean if we think back there are other writers and important figures who got the same thoughts across, I definitely think Langston Hughes did have a huge role in what society is today though.
My Question:
1. The essay talks about Hughes being able to form a picture, and for people to see him, do you think Langston Hughes was aiming for that? was he fighting for his identity?

[martinwawszkowicz]

1. I agree with everybody above, that this essay portrays how one man is able to change society and impact literature. Being one of the most well-known African American, and American poet, Hughes contributed many different ways on how he influenced people and writing. He was all about change, and in how his writing could change the hardships of African Americans. Hughes made African American culture and he shaped it. He was very active in the community, and was all for working together to get past all of the racism and segregation.

2. Overall, this essay was very factual, and I learned a lot from it. It was interesting to read, and I like how it showed how that even during a time of segregation one man can lead the charge toward change. Langston Hughes was a great man, that made a tremendous impact and I have more respect toward him now after reading this.

3. In response to Dylan's question, I believe that Langston Hughes' poems, stories and anthologies all were important to the development of African-American literature. His stories and poems made African-American literature, while his anthologies shaped the literature. By putting out the work of African Americans, it was a chance to show how important African Americans really are to our world, and that we are all equal.

My question: Was is the power behind Langston Hughes' poems that lead to the influence of others?

[dylanzaliwski]

1. I agree with Colleen and Martin about Langston Hughes and his great impact on African-American literature. I also agree that Langston Hughes is essential to the development of American literature in general.

2. (Answering Martin's Question) The power behind Langston Hughes' works was that he was an African-American who was extremely outspoken about racism and segregation.

(My Question) Do you think Langston Hughes' works still influential to this day?

[thomashaldeman]

1. I agree with Martin and Coleen. I believe that this essay shows us the extreme impact that one person can have within literature and also society. Hughes had a huge impact during the Harlem Renaissance, so he was viewed by many as a role model. He wanted to show us how you yourself could make an impact, and throughout literature and writing he tried to show us rather than flat out tell us. Many African-Americans didn't have easy paths in this time, so I believe Hughes wanted to show us how everyone could overcome racism and segregation.
2. Overall, I liked the essay. Langston Hughes was a very famous writer, and I have read a few of his pieces so I am familiar with his style. I like the theme that he was trying to tell us, and I think it can connect perfectly with anyone who has experienced either racism or segregation. I also liked how in tough times he was able to try and make a change in the world.
3. To answer Dylan's question, yes, I believe Langston Hughes' works are extremely influential, even to this day. So many African Americans can relate to many of the topics that he tries to present, so he will always have an audience. I also think that his works are studied a lot by historians and people who want to learn about that time period.
My Question- Do you think that Hughes' made this piece an essay to emphasize that there were many struggles, rather than a short poem that would imply that there were few struggles?

[alexmaravic]

1. I agree with Gabby and Colleen about the overall meaning of the essay. I think that the essay showed what a huge, positive impact Langston Hughes and other African American writers had on their readers. They wrote about the struggles, joys, and emotions that these people felt during this time period. Hughes became an important literary figure in society and proved that it was possible to make a difference. All the authors who produced literature during the Harlem Renaissance created some solidarity among the African Americans because they all could relate and were inspired by the literary work of that time.

2. Like Gabby, I also felt proud of all the African American writers of that time and empowered because they changed society. They made so much progress and changed the way people viewed them. I think that Hughes provided people the ability to understand more about racism and prejudice through his writing. It was amazing to see how everyone came together for the common good.

3. (answering Tom's question) I believe that Hughes wanted to portray the real struggles of African Americans. I think that he felt that a short poem wouldn't have been able to properly explain all the difficulties those people faced so that's why he wrote a longer piece.

Question:
Do you think that if Hughes wrote a poem and not an essay it would've been more powerful?

[allisoncorchado]

1. I agree with everyone above. I believe that this essay was written to show how important poetry is to the minds of all human beings, and how Langston Hughes was able to use his writing to intrigue the minds of those who have read his works and to create change for the better. The essays purpose was also to show how African American writing was just as important as white writing. Hughes wanted to show writing's importance in general as well as its importance to the understanding of African American Lifestyle. This is seen when he states "To understand Africa today, it is wise to listen to what its poets say—those who put their songs down on paper as well as those who only speak or sing them." Hughes wanted most importantly for people to wake up and to not only listen but to act in relation to the words that caught their attention and drew in their minds. I believe that Hughes used his anthology to pull out certain parts of African writing that would attract the minds of whites and enable them to think about ideas they were not used to. This eventually would help to make blacks and whites become more integrated in their ideas and sharing of writing.

2. I liked this essay because I had not actually known much about Langston Hughes before reading this. I really liked learning about his ideology and how positive he was in the hopes that people were willing to change their thoughts. It showed me how powerful writing can be and the influences that it can have on people. He reminded me of a Martin Luther King type of guy, someone who believed in the words that were spoken and how they really struck people's emotions.

3. Response to Dylans question- I believe that Hughes' work is still influential today, because whenever we read something it either seems to be boring or interesting, and Hughes was all about being interesting and drawing in our minds to his words, which will always continue to happen. However, I do think that our minds today agree more with what he wrote about, especially in terms in racism, so his works would most likely serve as an influence to empower our minds than to change them. My question- Do you believe that ones mind can change just from reading a poem?