The Negro Speaks of Rivers
Encyclopedia
"The Negro Speaks of Rivers" is a poem by American writer Langston Hughes
.
to St. Louis. "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" was first published in The Crisis
in June 1921, p. 17, the first of his poems printed in that journal. That same month, it also appeared in The Literary Digest. The poem was originally dedicated to W. E. B. Du Bois, though that dedication does not appear in later printings of the poem.
"The Negro Speaks of Rivers" was collected in Hughes's first book of poetry, The Weary Blues
, in 1926. That book was published with the help and patronage of Carl Van Vechten
, who also supplied an introduction. Van Vechten was accused of influencing Hughes's poetry, which he denied. He claimed that the volume was complete before he ever met Hughes, though evidence shows that the two met earlier on November 24, 1924, with Countee Cullen
.
Twenty years after its publication, Hughes suggested the poem be turned into a Hollywood film but the project never went forward.
. Like many of Hughes's other writings, the poem depicts an African-American who recognizes and reaffirms his connection to Africa and uses that African heritage as a source of pride.
Langston Hughes
James Mercer Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry. Hughes is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance...
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Composition and publication history
Langston Hughes wrote the poem on an envelope while traveling by train to Mexico as he crossed the Mississippi RiverMississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
to St. Louis. "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" was first published in The Crisis
The Crisis
The Crisis is the official magazine of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People , and was founded in 1910 by W. E. B. Du Bois , Oswald Garrison Villard, J. Max Barber, Charles Edward Russell, Kelly Miller, W.S. Braithwaite, M. D. Maclean.The original title of the journal was...
in June 1921, p. 17, the first of his poems printed in that journal. That same month, it also appeared in The Literary Digest. The poem was originally dedicated to W. E. B. Du Bois, though that dedication does not appear in later printings of the poem.
"The Negro Speaks of Rivers" was collected in Hughes's first book of poetry, The Weary Blues
The Weary Blues
"The Weary Blues" is a poem written by American poet Langston Hughes.Written in 1925, "The Weary Blues" was first published in the Urban League magazine, Opportunity. It was awarded best poem of the year by the magazine...
, in 1926. That book was published with the help and patronage of Carl Van Vechten
Carl van Vechten
Carl Van Vechten was an American writer and photographer who was a patron of the Harlem Renaissance and the literary executor of Gertrude Stein.-Biography:...
, who also supplied an introduction. Van Vechten was accused of influencing Hughes's poetry, which he denied. He claimed that the volume was complete before he ever met Hughes, though evidence shows that the two met earlier on November 24, 1924, with Countee Cullen
Countee Cullen
Countee Cullen was an American poet who was popular during the Harlem Renaissance.- Biography :Cullen was an American poet and a leading figure with Langston Hughes in the Harlem Renaissance. This 1920s artistic movement produced the first large body of work in the United States written by African...
.
Twenty years after its publication, Hughes suggested the poem be turned into a Hollywood film but the project never went forward.
Analysis
In his early writing, including "The Negro Speaks of Rivers", Hughes was inspired by American poet Carl SandburgCarl Sandburg
Carl Sandburg was an American writer and editor, best known for his poetry. He won three Pulitzer Prizes, two for his poetry and another for a biography of Abraham Lincoln. H. L. Mencken called Carl Sandburg "indubitably an American in every pulse-beat."-Biography:Sandburg was born in Galesburg,...
. Like many of Hughes's other writings, the poem depicts an African-American who recognizes and reaffirms his connection to Africa and uses that African heritage as a source of pride.
See also
- ConfluenceConfluence (sculpture)Confluence is a land art sculpture by artists Robert Stackhouse and Carol Mickett. The work sits on the grounds of the Indianapolis Art Center located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States...
, an artwork by Robert StackhouseRobert StackhouseRobert Stackhouse is an American artist and sculptor. Stackhouse graduated with a Bachelor Degree from the University of South Florida in 1965. He later earned a masters degree at the University of Maryland, College Park in studio art...
and Carol Mickett inspired by the poem in the collection of the Indianapolis Art CenterIndianapolis Art CenterThe Indianapolis Art Center is an art center located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The Center, founded in 1934 by the Works Project Administration during the Great Depression as the Indianapolis Art League, is located along the White River...
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External links
- Shades of Black at the DuBois Learning Center
- On "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" at Modern American Poetry