Langston Hughes’ Poetry Insights

Questions and Answers

What sense do both of these lines rely on?

The sense of hearing (correct)

The sense of smell

The sense of sight

The sense of touch

Which lines from 'The Weary Blues' suggest that the speaker is impressed by the musician?

He made that poor piano moan with melody (correct)

With his ebony hands on each ivory key (correct)

By the dull pale pallor of an old gas light

Down on Lenox Avenue the other night

In what way are the lines of 'The Weary Blues' similar to the lyrics of a blues song?

The poem does not offer insight into emotions.

The poem uses a standard rhyme scheme.

The poem uses repetition to create meaning. (correct)

The poem does not use figurative language.

The speaker's role in 'Harlem' is to?

Criticize oppression. Signup and view all the answers

The speaker in 'Harlem' contemplates?

The fate of aspirations that are unrealized. Signup and view all the answers

What is one difference in the themes of 'Harlem' and 'The Weary Blues'?

'Harlem' conveys resentment, while 'The Weary Blues' shows expression. Signup and view all the answers

The phrases 'O Blues!' and 'Sweet Blues!' are examples of?

Repetition Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of repeating the phrase 'ain't got nobody' in the poem?

It emphasizes the theme of sorrow and melancholy in the poem. Signup and view all the answers

Which best describes the speaker in the poem 'If We Must Die'?

A motivator who encourages readers to fight oppression Signup and view all the answers

In both poems, Hughes uses imagery to?

Establish tone Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Langston Hughes’ Poetry Insights

"Harlem" and "The Weary Blues" utilize the sense of hearing to enhance their themes.
The lines "With his ebony hands on each ivory key" and "He made that poor piano moan with melody" indicate admiration for the musician in "The Weary Blues."
Repetition is a significant element in "The Weary Blues," creating meaningful resonance in the poem's themes.
The speaker in "Harlem" adopts a critical stance towards oppression, addressing societal injustices.
"Harlem" reflects on the fate of unrealized aspirations, highlighting the consequences of suppressed dreams.
The themes of resentment in "Harlem" contrast with the expressive nature of "The Weary Blues," which conveys emotional depth.
Phrases like "O Blues!" and "Sweet Blues!" in "The Weary Blues" exemplify repetition, emphasizing key emotional moments.
Repetition of "ain't got nobody" accentuates sorrow and melancholy, reinforcing the poem’s emotional weight.
"If We Must Die" by Claude McKay portrays the speaker as a motivator, encouraging resistance against oppression and advocating bravery.
In both "Harlem" and "The Weary Blues," vivid imagery serves to establish tone, effectively influencing the reader's emotional response.

Description

Explore the themes and literary devices in Langston Hughes’ renowned poems, 'Harlem' and 'The Weary Blues.' This quiz highlights the use of sound, repetition, and the contrast between societal critiques and emotional expression. Test your understanding of how these elements enhance the depth of Hughes' poetry.