Poetry of Langston Hughes

Question 1

Read the poem “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay. If we must die—let it not be like hogsHunted and penned in an inglorious spot,While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,Making their mock at our accursed lot.If we must die—oh, let us nobly die, So that our precious blood may not be shedIn vain; then even the monsters we defyShall be constrained to honor us though dead!Oh, Kinsmen! We must meet the common foe;Though far outnumbered, let us still be brave, And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow!What though before us lies the open grave?Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,Pressed to the wall, dying, but—fighting back!Which best describes the speaker in this poem?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

a motivator who encourages readers to fight oppression

Question 2

Read the excerpt from "Harlem."Does it stink like rotten meat?Or crust and sugar over-like a syrupy sweet?Read the excerpt from "The Weary Blues."Droning a drowsy syncopated tuneRocking back and forth to a mellow croonIn both poems, Hughes uses the imagery to

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establish tone.

Question 3

Read this line from "Harlem." Or does it explode?Read this line from "The Weary Blues."Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.What sense do both of these lines rely on?

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the sense of hearing

Question 4

The speaker’s tone in "Harlem" is best described as

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frustrated.

Question 5

The speaker’s role in "Harlem" is to

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criticize oppression.

Question 6

Read the excerpt from "The Weary Blues."He made that poor piano moan with melody. O Blues!Swaying to and fro on his rickety stoolHe played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool. Sweet Blues!Coming from a black man's soul. O Blues! In a deep song voice with a melancholy toneI heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan— "Ain't got nobody in all this world, Ain't got nobody but ma self.I’s gwine to quit ma frownin' And put ma troubles on the shelf."What is the effect of repeating the phrase “piano moan” in the poem?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

It sets a sad, mournful tone.

Question 7

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

Revolt · Accepted Answer

The poem uses repetition to create meaning.

Question 8

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

Revolt · Accepted Answer

“Harlem” conveys resentment, while “The Weary Blues” shows expression.

Question 9

What is one difference in the way sensory details are used in "Harlem" and "The Weary Blues"?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

“Harlem” uses all five senses, while “The Weary Blues” relies mainly on the sense of sound.

Question 10

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

Revolt · Accepted Answer

With his ebony hands on each ivory keyHe made that poor piano moan with melody.

Poetry of Langston Hughes Answers

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