LANGSTON HUGHESBy: Darrien, Carlos, Jhoan, Nelson, and Naishka.

LIFE OF HUGHES Born on February 1, 1902 in Missouri

Raised by grandma in Lawrence, Kansas after parents separated

Wrote from 1926 – 1967, completing over 60 poems

LIFE OF HUGHES (CONT.) First African American to support himself as a writer

Died on May 22, 1967 in NYC

DURING THE ERA OF HUGHES He lived during a tough era

However cars, motorcycles, and airplanes where created

DURING THE ERA OF HUGHES (CONT.) And alcohol becomes prohibited (later becomes legal)

World War II also took place later in his life (which he wrote about)

FACTS ABOUT HUGHES He attended and dropped out of college

He lived in Mexico for a while at expense of father

FACTS ABOUT HUGHES (CONT.) He worked as a sailor before becoming a writer and world renown poet

In 1924, Hughes won Opportunity magazine's literary contest for The Weary Blues.

ONOMATOPOEIA IN POETRY Onomatopoeia is the use of words that are spelled how they sound in order

to create a more visual and understanding affect, creating a stronger connection between the reader and writing/author.

ONOMATOPOEIA IN THE WEARY BLUES Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor. (line 23)

SIMILES IN POETRY Similes are the comparison of two things using like or as to create a vivid

image or show comparison of two objects, creating a deeper understanding for the reader.

SIMILES IN THE WEARY BLUES He slept like a rock or a man that’s dead. (line 35)