Category Archives: English Major Showcase

A cumulative experience of Work that I have generated over my 4 years at VMI

Collection of Poems

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Chapbook

 

Loneliness

Loneliness is just a phase.

I am ready to come out of this daze.

The pain is never ending,

time is never healing.

 

I look up and see no one

I cried and you didn’t hear me.

You saw the signs all around you,

yet you ignored what was there?

 

I dread this despair.

It left me feeling bare.

Again, Im crying out to you,

but still no response.

 

How much time do I have left?

Before I see the twilight of day?

Hopefully one day,

I will get my happy ending.

 

But for today,

Loneliness is just a phase and

I’m ready to come out of this daze.

 

 

 

Today

Today my life changed.

My father passed away.

 

My mother came home to spread the news,

it really put me in a bad mood.

 

No more times of fun,

Or bonding with each other under the sun.

 

The memories we had I will forever cherish.

Oh, how glad I was able to have known you.

 

I hope you know,

that I still and always will love you.

 

Today my life changed

My father passed away.

 

 

 

 

 Game of inches

 

It’s a game of inches they would always say.

 

Its iron sharpening iron,

 

it’s the grittiest man’s whit.

 

Inch by inch we move the ball.

 

To a common goal,

 

We want to score touchdowns coach give us the ball.

 

It’s a man vs a man, and there is no other way.

 

Who will be the victor?

 

Me or you?

 

Come share God’s greatest gift.

 

It’s a game of inches they would always say

 

The greatest game ever to be played.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Boys of Fall

 

They called us the boys of fall.

 

Kenny Chesney got that right.

 

Getting to wear our game day jerseys down the hall.

 

People cheering because of the boys of fall.

 

 

Running down the sideline through the fog

 

Early mornin practices in the fall.

 

We all just wanted to play ball.

 

Kings of the school and loved by all.

 

God you should see us we are the boys of fall!

 

The stadium packed on Friday night.

 

It’s such a beauty to be under those lights.

 

Battling it out through the night,

 

you would think there would be a fight.

 

A brother to my left and right

 

 

 

Oh, how I love being called,

 

One of the boys of fall.

 

 

One More Day

 

Can you smell the fresh southern air?

Do you see the tall green pines?

The light illuminates the horizon.

Still not a creature in sight.

 

I traveled down this road before.

It never seems to end.

Turmoil at every turn.

And always stretching on.

 

Why must I continue to go on?

Some may never know,

They say, “there’s light at the end of the tunnel”.

But all that I see is the vast land of nothingness.

 

Life is an interesting thing.

One minute you’re there then you’re not.

But hey what do you say,

I got room for one more day.

 

 

 

The Long Night

 

He clinches and holds me tight.

Why is he nervous?

I hear the thunder roar

crackle crackle  pow

Daddy, why did the power go out?

He assures me everything is alright.

 

 

An hour goes by and still I hear the roar.

Oh, how it grows much louder now.

Like a train zooming in the night.

The rain pounds harder against the door.

“Daddy what’s going to happen?”

“Son it’s gonna be a long night.”

 

 

Life

 

Life is like driving on a winding road.

You never know if you’re going to reach the final destination,

everyone approaches life in a different way.

You may press on the gas, while others slam on breaks….

Some stop along the way, some keep going.

You might run out of gas or have a full tank but,

you never know what is going to happen while you’re on the winding road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giambattista Vico Essay

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Christopher D. Owens

5/3/19

MAJ Iten

English

HR:

Word count: 1821

Research Argument

 

Introduction

 

Giambattista Vico is a philosopher from Naples. Born in 1968-1774 Vico was a famous Italian humanist writer. Vico taught himself law, and literature. Vico was one of the most important enlightenment thinkers of his time. Vico consider himself a teacher of himself after a severe fall at the age of seven years old. Under the direction of his father Vico grew to teach and soon left home several years later to be a tutor. Vico was pretty keen to the works of logic. He took particular interest in the histories of logic. Vico also took interest in the rhetoric of thought. Unlike his counterparts Vico didn’t take the same optimistic ideas of the natural science and the assumption of absolute truth. Vico was more concerned with the civic discourse. He believes that we spend way too much time trying to uncover and understand absolute truths. Martin Luther King Jr said it best, “And so we shall have to do more than register and vote; we shall create leaders who embody virtues we can respect, who have moral and ethical principles we can applaud to with enthusiasm.” Vico’s “On the Study Methods of Our Time” takes a particular look on this issue at hand. It covers all the methods and procedures of the ancients (those that came before us) It takes a look on how influential and also how ineffective their means of discovering truths of the world are. Like Vico there are others who share the common ground with the great philosopher. Vico argues how language is important and how all knowledge even scientific is based on argument and convection.

On the study of our methods

In “on the study Methods of our Time” Vico seeks to reconcile humanism with a more modern outlook on sciences.  He takes a look on the ancients the ones that came before us. He believes that  the greatest drawback of our educational methods  is that “we pay an excessive amount of attention to the natural sciences and not enough to ethics”.( Bizzell 871) “Vico employs rhetoric as the epistemological basis for inquiry and argument”.(Schaeffer 152)  During this time period there was the only approach of cartesian methods. It was the only educational methods that were looked upon and valued. Vico solemnly believed that knowledge played a key role in the involvement of understanding that of rhetoric. “The first is a “bestial” condition, from which emerges “the age of the gods,” in which man is ruled by fear of the supernatural. “The age of heroes” is the consequence of alliances formed by family leaders to protect against internal dissent and external attack; in this stage, society is rigidly divided into patricians and plebeians.” (Britannica) This quote signifies how society during the time was mainly focused on the sciences. They feared science more than real problems that they could control.  He believed that one must possess a good sense of language in order to thrive in the community. Because of the worlds innate concern with the natural sciences and not a strong look on language and how to communicate the world is suffering in the matter of civic discourse. “our young men, because of their training, which is focused on these studies, are unable to engage in the life of the community, to conduct themselves with sufficient wisdom and prudence”. (Bizzell 872)

“Vico relates imagination and language to the life of a given human community”. (Schaeffer 152) Vico inserts himself and puts priority on “sensus communis” which is a moral sense which founds the community.

Language is primary to Vico

Vico goes in depth to explain what truth means to him. “The astute ignoramus, who is able to grasp particular truths but incapable of conceiving a general truth, finds cleverness, Which is useful to him today, may be harmful to him tomorrow”.(Bizzell 872) This quote suggests the one that keeps his eyes open on the obvious and not just the facts is the one who will not be blinded what is truth. “But the sage who, through all obliquities and uncertainties of human actions and events, keeps his eye steadily focused on eternal truth, manages to follow a roundabout way whenever he cannot travel in a straight line, and make decisions, in the field  of action, which, in the course of time, prove to be as profitable as the nature of things permits.” (Bizzell 872) Vico argues here that the doctrines judge human actions as they ought to be not as they actually are. “His claim is that there is a direct relationship between the development of human society and the development of language.” (Craig 10) Vico described human societies as “passing through stages of growth and decay.” (Britannica) what Vico means by this is that the world is growing and dying at the same time. Without the use of language, the world is in a state of decay. But with the right notion of understanding the importance of language the world can truly prosper. Vico also ties language with eloquence and education. It is primitive that throughout the two stages of eloquence and education that the use of correct language is key. Essentially without language there will be no use for education and eloquence.

Vico on eloquence

Vico believes the role of eloquence is to persuade the desired audience. “The answer is that eloquence does not address itself to the rational part of nature, but almost entirely to our passions”. (Bizzell 873) Vico states here that eloquence deals with passions and you must appeal and believe to persuade your audience. If you cannot asses their desires or passions than you cannot convince them. The definition of eloquence is fluent or persuasive speaking or writing. Therefore, Vico says this “unless the speaker can compass these three things: passion, love and belief, he has not achieved the effect of persuasion; he is powerless to convince.” (Bizzell 873) This shows that persuasion ties in with eloquence. Nor can they invert the order of words, nor can the amplify or elevate their discourse.” (Bizzell 874) What Vico means by this comment is due to the lack of the French eloquence on that of the notion of language they cannot properly adhere to their language. “It does not supply us with that “middle term” where the extreme points of metaphor are able to meet and unite. It is therefore impossible in French for a single noun to be the vehicle of a metaphor.” (Bizzell 874) Vico also believes that eloquent goes hand in hand with law and teaching. He believes that both law and teaching there has to be an orator and that’s how it fits in the scheme of rhetoric discourse.  “Eloquence requires one to speak fully on a subject, to present all of its aspects in a complete speech conveying to the hearers all that the speaker has conceived in his mind.” (Bayer 1135) Pretty much what Vico is trying to get at is that to show eloquence one must fully understand the discourse and subject which that the rhetor is speaking on. Vico also looks on Ciceronian view on the conclusion to his seventh orata

tion. “Eloquence requires copia, as it brings together many aspects of a

subject, but it differs from elegance in that eloquent speech is a presentation of the whole, whereas elegant speech refers to the fineness of the phraseology used” ( Bayer 1135) Vico believes that “eloquence allows the thinker to communicate his discoveries to an audience, to present wisdom in its proper form and to avoid simply the juggling of words.” (Bayer 1135)

Vico and Education

Vico once being an educator values education. “He insists that education ought not to be merely concerned with “empty erudition.” (Craig 10) Vico believes that we must educate our young men so that they learn from our past grievances says Vico. To Vico education is not some stagnate activity that you can take part in.  He also believes that a child’s education should first begin with language. Vico views education as essentially a moral activity. “Educators need to assess the moral levels of their students so as to encourage a moral atmosphere in the classroom.” (Craig 10) What Craig interprets from Vico is that educators need to learn their students’ ideas and surround knowledge and education based off what they know. “the development of language is a moral educational enterprise and he strongly encouraged the study of language at an early point in the child’s education.” (Craig 10) Because of the idea that its pivotal for language to be introduced into a child’s education early in life is why Vico so heartily wants children’s first notion of education in the method of language. Vico also argues that “through education intellectual capacities are developed in separate ways. The capacity of memory is developed studying languages. He also thinks that imagination grows from reading poets and historians: and perception develops through the study of plane geometry, for instance not one subject, such as logic, will ensure the complete intellectual development of the student.” (Craig 10) what Vico means by this is that human nature and intelligence or intellect is unfolding, and this is what makes up for the total intellectual development of the student. This means Vico had a holistic viewpoint on education, that it is compartmentalized on stages. To Vico these very stages are key to developing the student.

Conclusion

Giambattista Vico was very passionate about the study of rhetoric. He was very hyper critical of his predecessors that came before him. Vico`s impenetrable taste for the use of logic and reasoning behind rhetoric is what made him so unique and special. “On the study of our methods” is one of his most important works. Vico shed light on something that many rhetoricians haven’t been taking seriously. Vico was correct that language is important and that we spend way too much time trying to understand absolute truths. He shifted the community ideas from the thought of science to the importance of civic discourse. That the public should understand language and how important it is, and also the importance of eloquence and education. He does a good job of expressing why language should be the first thing that one should be taught on the basis of education. Ultimately civic discourse is important in order for the world to fully develop and progress. Eloquence and understanding how to inform a desired audience on a desired issue. Knowing how to properly convey their message through the use of language. All in all the three things that Vico hit hard on (education, language, eloquence) all are pivotal to civic discourse. All three things go hand in hand with one another. Because of Vico civic life will continue improve and our study methods will evolve with it. Not only looking at sciences but seeing rhetorical discourse as something we need to value as well. Something that is more important than absolute truths.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited:

 

Bizzell,Patricia and Bruce Herzberg. The Rhetorical tradition. “On the Study Methods of our Time” Beaford St Mark (2007)

 

Chaix-Ruy, Jules-Marie. “Giambattista Vico.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 19 Jan. 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Giambattista-Vico#ref32435.

 

Craig, Robert. “Vico as Educator: Values, Self-Development, and Systhesis.” Journal of Thought, vol. 28, no. 1/2, 1993, pp. 7–12. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/42589343.

 

Schaeffer, John D. “Vico’s Rhetorical Model of the Mind: ‘Sensus Communis’ in the ‘De Nostri Temporis Studiorum Ratione.’” Philosophy & Rhetoric, vol. 14, no. 3, 1981, pp. 152–167. JSTOR,

 

Thora I. Bayer, Vico’s Principle of Sensus Communis and Forensic Eloquence, 83 Chi.-Kent L. Rev. 1131 (2008).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is 4th of July to a Slave

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Christopher D. Owens

4/15/19

English

MAJ. Knepper

HR: in works cited

Word count:1636

 

Frederick Douglass was very advanced for his time. Douglas was born into slavery and spent many years as a slave. He embodies the many characteristics that any black man would love to have. Though for most of Douglas`s life he was a slave through perseverance and the will to endure and never give up Douglas was able to obtain his freedom. Douglas also taught himself how to read and write which made him eager to escape his oppression and the inhumanities of slavery itself. Douglas himself at a very young age understood that slavery was wrong. Douglas also understand what it meant to be a slave and the everyday difficulties that black people in America were faced with. After eventually earning his freedom Douglas went north to fortify his freedom. On July 5, 1852 Douglas was asked to give a speech commemorating the signing of the declaration of independence. It was held at Rochester NY at Corinthian hall. The speech was just more than a freedom speech for Americans but what does that typical holiday of the fourth of July means to the average slave? It painted a vivid picture of the injustices that Americans look over every day in the present day of the united states of America.

Fredrick Douglas has done many things in his life. Since escaping his bondage, he became an advocate for black slaves all across America. He was made an abolitionist leader. Douglas also referenced the civil war as the war to end slavery, Douglas in his long career advocated for other groups as well. In 1848 Douglas was one of the few men to attend the women’s right convention in Seneca fall. He later wrote a speech for the Rochester ladies anti-slavery society. This speech came about due to the inhumanities that dealt with slavery and women’s rights. The speech is one of his most widely known works. His audience was all American’s but mainly the women. Women views were valued, and they could help end slavery. That is why this speech is so important.

The writing of the speech “what to the slave is fourth of July” is one of many troubles for Americans. When I say American’s, I mean the conflicted and the oppressed that the declaration addresses. Who is the suggested audience that Douglas is trying to convey his message to? I believe it simple with these words “The fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must morn.” (7 Douglas) He’s saying this to all white American’s that are celebrating the fourth of July. Douglas also goes on to begin his speech by saying, “it is your national independence, and your political freedom.” (2)  He highlights “your” to make the crowd understand that it’s their holiday not Black slaves holidays. Douglas also appeals to the white Americans emotions by expressing ethos logos and pathos through his speech.

The main argument of speech what fourth of July means to a slave is crucial to his appeal of ethos logos and pathos. Douglas introduces his speech and goes straight forward in talking about America’s forefathers. How they fight those who sought to unjustly rule them (British). I think he first appeals to pathos at this point in his speech when he says “they felt themselves the victims of grievous wrongs, wholly incurable in their colonial capacity”.(3) With brave men there is remedy for oppression stating that brave people don’t like to be picked and bothered with injustices. I believe that Douglas also used Pathos and the values of the situation to also capture the emotions of his desired audience. “They were peace men, but they preferred revolution to peaceful submission to bondage”. (5) What Douglas meant by this is that the forefathers would rather have bloodshed than to be oppressed and contained any longer by the British. He also uses quotes from scripture “the trust no future, however pleasant, let the dead past bury its dead; Act, act in the living present, Heart within, and God overhead”.(6) I think Douglas put this in here to captivate the audience. Making them think about the past and tie it to the future. The use of this inspirational quote gives you a sense of how Americans should go on about their lives. Stop living in the past because it is over but live for today, so that today will be better for tomorrow.

Douglas expresses logos in his speech as well. Douglas also in his speech appeals to both the founding fathers’ ideals and ties them in with some bible references. “Sydney Smith tell us that men seldom eulogize the wisdom and virtues of their fathers, but to excuse some folly or wickedness of their own.” (7)  Douglas now hits vocal points in his speech talking about how this point is valid from modern times to ancient ones. He claims it was fashionable of the children of Jacob that they have Abraham to their father. When they had eventually over time lost Abraham’s favor and faith and spirit. The people though they were doing good in the name of their father, but in reality, they were slandering their fathers good name by the deeds they were committing as a collective society. Douglas implies that this happening all over the country right now with the issue of slavery. At this point in the speech Douglas says that “Washington could not die till he had broken the chains of his slaves. (United States to Great Britain) Yet his monument is built up by the price of human blood my people’s blood.” (7) What this drive on is that though American’s believe in religion and all these factors that play into it why do they cause black men to still suffer in the country. If you feel this way about your people being in chains why impression another group of human beings that are people to. Their voices aren’t heard.

The turning point of Douglas speech starts on page 8 to page 20. Douglas reiterates the issues and oppression’s of slavery. As you see the first half of his speech was about the fourth of July and what it meant to white Americans who escaped oppression from an outside force not the country. It’s also ironic because they are culprits of the very thing, they are celebration on that very day to Black people. “America is false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future. Standing with God and the crushed and bleeding slave on this occasion…” (8) Americans claim that they adhere to the bible and the constitution but still allow slavery to be practiced throughout the country. Many of my audience  will say “it is just in this circumstance that you and your brother abolitionists fail to make a favorable impression on the public mind.”(8) The significance of this quote is that no matter what the abolitionist argue about it’s always contradict with other issue of the matter. The truth of the matter is that slavery is plain to see. It’s wrong no matter whatever way Americans try to justify it.

What does the Fourth of July mean to the American slave you ask? Douglas answers with this: “a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him your day is a sham…” (10) Everything that Americans believe they are proud of Douglas argues it’s the opposite to what an American slave believes. That America is the most veil of places on the earth. “Is this the land your fathers loved, the freedom which they toiled to win? Is this the earth whereon they moved? Are these the graves they slumber in?” (12) Is what the forefathers that created the declaration is this what they solely died for? To disrespected by that which they sought so deeply.

I believe one particular quote toward the end of his speech speaks towards his ethos of the entirety of the speech; “The existence of slavery in this country brands your republicanism as a sham, and your subjective Christianity a lie.” (17) The very fact that all these politicians say democracy is for the people and that Americans represents the people is a mockery to all black Americans. Douglas constricted this speech to align with his ethos. He briefly went over and commemorated the forefathers of America for their achievements and showed many instances on which their freedom was sought. He went into deep lengths of depicting what George Washington and those great men did to escape oppression. He then referenced the bible and other reputable sources that Americans believe that they follow so solemnly but mock knowingly. Tying it all off on a vivid image of what that great day to Americans mean to the American slave. How it’s a mockery of everything that Americans and the forefathers stood for. It was most unjust. He believes the celebration and ignorance of the issue at hand pushes black Americans away from white Americans.

In conclusion with the speech that Frederick Douglas prepared for this monumental event in history. It sparked a much-needed conversation in the united states. Slavery is wrong and should be corrected. It also sparked people’s interest like Abraham Lincoln who eventually ended slavery for good. I think this speech was pivotal it allowed the country to truly see what they were doing and how wrong it really was. To say you love and follow god and everything him and the forefathers of the country believed and stood for was put to the test. “What to the slave is fourth of July?” was brilliant speech that forever changed America for the better of the society. It paved the way for today’s society Frederick Douglass would be proud.

Word count: 1636

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works cited

“What to the Slave is the fourth of July?” Fredrick Douglas (1852)

 

Langston Hughes Essay

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Langston Hughes

 

Langston Hughes is arguably one of the most prolific poets of his time. He was one of the central figures in the Harlem renaissance. The Harlem renaissance was a movement in the 1920`s by black Americans all over the country but particularly Harlem. These were artists, poets, writers and of all sorts. Some of the most acclimated works of literature came from this time period and Langston Hughes works shined during this era. Hughes worked on novels, short stories and even plays. What Langston did the most through his works portray the everyday working class African American and their hardships and even their joys. As you can see in his works you can feel the freeness in his words and how he expresses it. Langston Hughes writes with no shame about the trials and tribulations that an African American goes through and its very evident. He wrote in his essay “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain,” “We younger Negro artists who create now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame. If white people are pleased, we are glad. If they are not, it doesn’t matter. We know we are beautiful. And ugly too.” (Biography) He does not care what white Americans think about what he has to say. He wants you to fully see the perspective of what the average black men went through during this time period. Three of his most significant poems “Mother to son”, “Elevator boy”, and “The Negro Mother” all highlight the hardships of African American people and how they had to think in order to survive. What this means is that during Langston’s Hughes lifetime racism and Jim Crow laws were at their height. Many African Americans during this time period were thought to be inferior. It was harder for African Americans to obtain decent jobs many of these individuals worked low income and harder jobs than white Americans. African Americans had to have a strong mindset in order to persevere through everyday ordeals many of them experienced prejudice in the work force they had to be mentally tougher and through Langston Hughes works you can feel and see this. Its almost like you are living his words. The main takeaway from these three poems is that these three poems all focus around the same characters. The mother of the son and her child. This is interesting because Hughes is looking at the modern African American family.

The great Langston Hughes was born “James Mercer Langston Hughes”, he was born February 1st in 1902. In Joplin Missouri. He is the child of James Hughes and Carrie Langston. Shortly after Hughes was born his parents separated for reasons unknown. His father then moved to Mexico. “Hughes was raised primarily by his grandmother, Mary, until she died in his early teens. From that point, he went to live with his mother, and they moved to several cities before eventually settling in Cleveland, Ohio” (poetry foundation). It was during this time that Hughes first began to write poetry. One of Langston Hughes teachers introduced him to authors like Walt Whitman. Walt was one of his primary influencers on his writing style. Whitman’s style of writing and expressing exactly how he feels is what Langston Hughes took pride in. Langston graduated high school and wrote one of hist first poems “The Negros speaks rivers”. After doing so he moved to Mexico with his father for a short period of time. Hughes was highly praised for his success from his poem. Once he left Mexico and returned to the united states Hughes attended Columbia University. It was here that he got accustomed to the Harlem renaissance. The Harlem renaissance “was an intellectual, social, and artistic explosion centered in Harlem, New York, spanning the 1920s. At the time, it was known as the “New Negro Movement”, named after The New Negro, a 1925 anthology edited by Alain Locke. The movement also included the new African-American cultural expressions across the urban areas in the Northeast and Midwest United States affected by the Great Migration, of which Harlem was the largest.”  (Wikipedia) Hughes was an original pioneer for the Harlem renaissance. Growing up Hughes worked many different jobs. Many that required intense labor you can see this by his description of how some of his poetry conveys the everyday working man. His poem like a “Dream Differed” “Mother to son” “Elevator boy” and “The Negro Mother” all of these poems exemplify an everyday African American and the troubles that they endure. Because of this very reason is why people loved and hated how Langston Hughes wrote and how he portrayed these characters in his poems. This also made him very loved by the African American community. “On the date of May 22, 1967 Langston Hughes lost his life due to complications of prostate.” (Biography) Ultimately this means that prostate cancer is the reason for his death.  Langston Hughes will always be cherished for his accomplishments within the Harlem renaissance and the contribution of lively works that he published.

Mother to son which was published in 1922 It appeared in Langston’s “The weary Blues collection”. This collection highlighted the struggles of those who had to deal with poverty and discrimination. The poem is generally about a mother talking to her son trying to warn him of the dangers and the road ahead. “Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor— Bare.” She explains to her child that life has not come with an easy price. That there have been many hardships and times I’ve had no answers and troubles all around. “And sometimes goin’ in the dark Where there ain’t been no light. So boy, don’t you turn back. Don’t you set down on the steps ’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard. Don’t you fall now— For I’se still goin’, honey, I’se still climbin’, And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” This last part of the poem the mother stresses that life hasn’t been easy but that you shouldn’t give up. Because son I haven’t given up yet. That’s what I took from the meaning of this poem. One thing to take away from this poem is the central theme of the staircase and what it represents. The idea behind the staircase and its symbolism is supposed to represent everyday life as we know it. The hardships the trials that we encounter. The narrator is relaying to the son that you must be resilient and remain strong through these hardships. “Don’t you set down on the steps ’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.”  The son will find that the world is a cold and dark place and he must remain strong just like his mother did. The staircase itself is the most important part of the poem because it represents life. What’s interesting about this poem is that it correlates with another poem by Langston Hughes called “Elevator boy”.

The “Elevator boy” is connected to “Mother and son”. As you can see now the son has grown up and has gotten a job and expresses his hardships and his dislikes for his job. You can see the inner struggle that he deals with. “I got a job now Runnin’ an elevator In the Dennison Hotel in Jersey. Job ain’t no good though. No money around.” I think this part of the poem fits well with the idea that life isn’t a crystal stair. As you see the boy lets you know he has a job and that it hasn’t been easy on him. Money has been tight. He also stresses the job isn’t good in the first place. “I been runnin’ this Elevator too long. Guess I’ll quit now.” these are the most important lines in the poem. I believe this is key because as you see in son to mother the mom tells her child never to quit no matter how difficult it may be. This is the point where you see the son break, he questions himself working the job. He even suggests to himself that he should quit. This is one of those “bare” moments in his life where there is no light and he must find his own way to navigate this dilemma. “Jobs are just chances Like everything else. Maybe a little luck now, Maybe not. a good job sometimes:”.  Here we see the son of the mother contemplating why jobs are even important. A job is just something lucky it might be good it might be great or even terrible. He is referring to it as a hit or miss opportunity This leads me to the last poem that connects these two the most.

Lastly, “The Negro Mother” is the last poem that puts all of this together. This poem tells the origin story of the mother in “mother to son” and exactly what she had to deal with in order to get her son to where he is now in life. Three hundred years in the deepest South: But God put a song and a prayer in my mouth. God put a dream like steel in my soul. Now, through my children, I’m reaching the goal.” The mother claims that god gave her the purpose that she holds on to. Her dream is what helps her keep on climbing those stairs, to keep pressing forward. Now, through my children, young and free, “I realized the blessing deed to me. I couldn’t read then. I couldn’t write. I had nothing, back there in the night. Sometimes, the valley was filled with tears, But I kept trudging on through the lonely years. Sometimes, the road was hot with the sun, But I had to keep on till my work was done:” This symbolic because just like the “Elevator boy” the mother says she “kept trudging on “what this means is that instead of just quitting she kept fighting for what she wanted. Failure was never an option for her. “Oh, my dark children, may my dreams and my prayers Impel you forever up the great stairs – For I will be with you till no white brother Dares keep down the children of the Negro Mother.” again she mentions the stairs she laid the foundation now the children must walk their own path. That’s how this poem is connected to the other two.

Langston Hughes was an incredible poet and cultivated the Harlem renaissance. He will be forever remembered by all and his works are still being seen and loved by all. His depiction of the black African American during a time period of turmoil is appalling. The fact that he had the courage to depict these individuals and feel no resentment for doing so. These three poems are closely connected with one another and highlight the struggles of an African American. Hughes using these three poems captured the depiction of what America was like for African Americans during this time period. The hardships that these individuals witnessed caused them to raise their children and instill a different mindset within them. Through the use of the mother and son’s relationship, you see across the three poems how the mother influenced the son. You see it firsthand through her account in “Mother to son” and it continues through the last two poems. Hughes was known for giving a blues like feeling in his poetry. This made it very relatable and you could feel what these poems were saying it almost was like you were in their shoes. This is why Hughes was one of the most prolific writers of his time during the height of the Harlem renaissance movement.

 

 

 

 

 

Works cited:

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/langston-hughes

https://www.biography.com/writer/langston-hughes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlem_Renaissance