Harlem Renaissance Poetry

Nicole Kraimer

Mrs. Parkinson

English III

7 March 2016

The Power of Command

Langston Hughes.  An incredibly influential Harlem Renaissances poet. But why? Why did Hughes have such a big impact? The answer, commands. At a time where many creative artists turned inward and reflected their inner thoughts and emotions, Hughes looked outward and tried to catalyze change. Hughes uses tactful language to prompt change in society. Instead of allowing people to infer what’s wrong and needs to be changed, Hughes tells people using eloquent language.

Hughes’ use of tasteful diction allows him to have the power to command people to take action, yet he isn’t perceived as demanding or manipulative. In his poem, “Let America be America Again”, Hughes writes, “The land that never has been yet- and yet must be, the land where every man is free” (Hughes 56-57). Hughes purposeful word choice gives him the power to command without overstepping his boundaries and repelling people.