Langston Hughes' Poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" Speaks of History

"The Negro Speaks of Rivers" by Langston Hughes vividly addresses the rich history of African American people. As Hughes discusses the convictions of W.E.B. DuBois , the audience views the African Americans' struggle with identity and society's disposition with African Americans. The poem's symbolism presents the relationships between rivers and African American life. The structure of the poem provides unity to the history of African Americans. Hughes' use of imagery also donates a great deal of broad details to understand African Americans' background.

W.E.B. DuBois' beliefs contribute a significant role to understanding African Americans' history. It illuminates two of DuBois' important ideas: the identity of African Americans' history beyond the United States and the concept of double consciousness. In "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," the speaker announces that "I've known rivers." (line 1) The "I" represents African American people as a whole. As the poem proceeds, Hughes utilizes DuBois' assertion that society can no longer deprive African Americans of their history by stating " I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the / flow of human blood in human veins." (2-3) Similarly, he places the "I" in Africa by expressing "I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it." (7) This specific statement focuses on the Pan Africanist belief shared by DuBois that Egypt is a major part of African American history. Therefore, this ideal connects Africans to Egypt and the construction of the pyramids, proving that Africans were civilized and had greatly contributed to historyBa concept often denied in the United States. The narrative poem contributes to this idea by stating that African Americans possess a great history.

The poem's relation to DuBois' theory of double consciousness establishes a boundary line to examine African American history. The theory suggests that African Americans have two distinct identities-African and American. Because Caucasian American society does not accept either identity, they remain in constant conflict with each another. The speaker states "I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep." (6); this line illustrates African Americans' origin in Africa. Then, the speaker conveys American history through "the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln / went down to New Orleans." (8-9) In line 13, Hughes' also declares that, like the deep, ancient rivers, the character of African Americans has existence in the very distant past. Moreover, the African American identity has a complexity and depth that gives the reader an inside perspective on its history.

"The Negro Speaks of Rivers" has symbolism that relates rivers to the foundation of African American life. "I've known rivers: / I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the / flow of human blood in human views" (1-3) displays a connectedness to life that runs deeper than the relation between people. Rivers are extraordinary features of the earth because they existed in ancient times and still exist today. Rivers lived before there were humans through which blood could flow. If there is a relationship between the ancient and modern people, it is the flow of the rivers rather than the flow of any individual's blood because rivers outlive people. The two appearances of the simile in lines four and thirteen display the speaker's soul unfolding as he lives, remembers, and studies his historical background. "I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young" (5) and "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" (8-10) implies a transition that occurred for the African American people between "dawn," the beginning of African Americans' history, and "sunset," the continuation of the history. In addition, the speaker tells about the transformation of the Mississippi River into "all golden" corresponds to the emancipating of African American slaves in the south. The speaker learned to celebrate the struggles through a cycle of self discovery and growth. Lines 11 and 12 mention how the speaker specifically knows these rivers. The rivers represent the people and their location. "Ancient" refers to their residence as ageless. "Dusky" compares the river to the skin color of the people who historically inhabited the area. The deliberate choice of these words portrays the African people living in a place that outlives them but holds their history eternally.

The structure of the poem emphasizes the order of the phrases, so that it can flow smoothly. The presence of the colon in lines one and eleven indicates the importance of the lines that follow. The use of the contraction, "I've," (1-2,9,11) suggests that the speaker has confidence about the subject. With this assurance, he has knowledge that makes the topic more reliable. The indentations in lines three, nine, and ten exhibit the unity of the thought it succeeds. These techniques generate coherency throughout the poem that allows the African American history to develop successfully.

"The Negro Speaks of Rivers" outlines a building block of imagery that expresses its depth. "I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep" (6) supplies the reader with a sense of constructing a settlement and the tranquility of a community near a river. Sitting by the Nile and having pride in the pyramids visualizes the statement, "I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramid above it." (7) Lines eight and nine proclaim the rejoicing of the slaves as they were freed. The figurative language contributes as specific example of African American history.

"The Negro Speaks of Rivers" composed by Langston Hughes boldly expresses the great history of African Americans. The poem gives the reader a deeper insight into the battles of identity between African Americans and their surrounding society. The relationship of ancient rivers and African Americans' experiences with life defines the hidden symbolism within the poem. The importance of the poem's structure provides solid unity for the African American history. Further, the concept of imagery supplies detailed pictures to grasp African Americans' background. "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" formulates an extensive and distinct history for African Americans.

The Negro Speaks of Rivers
By Langston Hughes
(To W.E.B. Du Bois)

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 pyramid 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.