Literary Analysis of The Negro Artist the Racial Mountain - Essay Example

A Literary Analysis of the Negro Artist the Racial Mountain by Langston Hughes

"The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain," written by Langston Hughes, is a famous essay that was in The Nation Magazine in 1926. The piece confronted Negro aesthetics during an era in the United States when racial segregation was at its peak. The article calls out artists of AfricanAmerican origin who obscure identity to appease the high members in society.

During the Harlem Renaissance period, Hughess work geared towards embracing black pride. In the Norton Anthology of American literature, Hughess two pieces "I, Too" a poem and "Freedom," he sheds light on the hypocritical behavior of artists of AfricanAmerican descent and their fearful audiences. He conveys a message to the white audiences, pointing out their interest in negro art is a mask for stereotypical refreshment. Hughes incorporates jazz in his artwork, a tool he considers powerful for the preservation of negro art and culture.

In the literary analysis of the Negro Artist the Racial Mountain, Hughes talks about the fear caused by the discrimination of negro artists against their culture. When writers acknowledge that their work is disregarded because of their origin, they are always aware of its 'whiteness.' It damages not only their authenticity but also shames them from doing art that is not 'white' certified.

The essay featured in Nation magazine depicts a young poet of the AfricanAmerican community who refuses to be labeled by race and emphasizes on representation by their profession. Hughes talks about the poet finds it necessary to identify as a just poet and without the label of race. Langston says that the poet is fine with the audience, assuming he is a white poet. It could only mean the poet believes 'white' art better received by readers than 'black' art.

Artists like Nina Baym in the Norton Anthology of American literature quotes different works by Langston Hughes, where he calls upon negros to demand credit for significantly influencing culture in the United States and enfranchised citizenship. Hughes finds inspiration for his articles and poems from different encounters of racial discrimination he faces.

In Hughess arguments, he urges young negro writers to embrace expressing themselves as African Americans who write about their heritage for their AfricanAmerican readers as he does in the Norton Anthology of American literature. Hughes asks them to overcome the racial mountain that stands in the way do Negro art but encapsulating their unique heritage.

Hughess belief is that white is perceived as a symbol of virtues, and this has led to the detriment of AfricanAmerican artistry. Langston Hughes encourages writers to write what comes from their souls instead of being dictated by superiors in society. Overall, he advocates for the absolute freedom of Negro artists, urging them to create works that are not inhibited by the desire to be white.

In 1925, a time where racial segregation was prominent in American society, Hughes wrote a short poem called "I, Too," in the Norton Anthology of American literature, which was written from the perspective of a negro. In only 18 lines, he effectively addresses the plight of African Americans and how whites in America treat them. Hughes discusses the significance of equality and the need for freedom for his AfricanAmerican society.

The poem is written from the perspective of a Negro frustrated with how white people treat him. The opening, which says 'I, too, sing America," is compelling. The speaker, who is AfricanAmerican, been subject to racial discrimination and is frustrated by it.

He reminds the 'whites' he is deserving of being treated like well because he is a patriotic citizen like them. Hughess poem holds a powerful message similar to the one in the essay. In the Norton Anthology of American literature, it is evident that Hughes calls upon the negro writers to embrace their individuality and products to conform to standards set by white America. He recommends them to use their book and poems to call attention to the problems faced by their community.

Langston Hughes calls out those who stand in the shadows in the name of resignation. Hughess is activism that believes in executing change instead of waiting for things to work out themselves. In Hughess poem Freedom, which was initially called Democracy, he addresses the black poet in finding freedom rather than waiting for it. In the book that addresses Hughess imagination and art, we see how his works bridge social limitations to freedom.

R. Baxter and Norton discuss the impact that Hughess literal imagination has. It has the ability to change the social system in a society that believes blacks are less than whites. Hughess work advocates for AfricanAmerican artists to stand their work and embrace their origin. Through Hughess pieces, writers can become morally enlightened.

Like him, he encourages them to use their art as a platform to advocate for the social challenges facing their people. Hughes reminds them that they can use their pieces of art to point out the extent that segregation affects their negro society in the Harlem Renaissance era. In the Norton Anthology of American literature, the claims he makes in the poem "Freedom" are also evident in his essay. We see how he emphasizes negro authors to claim their uniqueness and channel it to their art.

Langston Hughes is among the few artists that owned their identity in a time when racial discrimination was at an all-time high. He labeled himself as an AfricanAmerican. Hughess writing also highlighted the problems facing the negro community. He was an advocate for progress in his society and stood up for his beliefs. Regardless of the external forces against him was assertive about creating awareness of the predicaments faced by the black race.

Hughes once pointed out the stereotypical entertainment that white people have behind their 'interest' in AfricanAmerican literature. Hughes incorporated his arguments and grievances in his writing. Hughess art was a mouthpiece that allowed him to champion what he stood freedom of his community. In the Norton Anthology of American literature, the poem "I, Too" and also "Freedom, it is evident how he backed up his cause."

We can also see how Hughess arguments also appear in the piece, that addressed the racial mountain negro writers need to overcome. Hughes gained a lot of popularity among the people during this era. Hughes believed that his art could motivate others in his community to initiate social change in society.