Analytical Paper on Dream Variations by Langston Hughes

James Langston Hughes was one of the most inspiring poets of the Harlem Renaissance. He was born in the city of Joplin, Missouri on the day of February 1, 1902. He lived through the rough times for African Americans in American Society. His lifestyle he grew up in helped him become such a special poet for many of his readers. His brother John Mercer Langston also was an important figure in American society, as he was the first African American to be elected to public office (Jackson). Growing up Langston Hughes ended up in Lincoln, Illinois after his father abandoned him when he moved to Mexico (Isaac). This is where his mother and her husband were living at the time. Shortly after that the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio and this is where Langston Hughes began to show his passion for poetry. Many believe his real sign to head in the direction of writing was in 8th grade when he was selected as the best poet in his class (Jackson). Langston then decided this is what he wanted to do with his life, and nobody was going to hold him back from his dreams.

His father had dreamt otherwise though, as he thought his son would never be able to make a living as a writer. With that said his father paid for his tuition at Columbia University under one condition. That condition was that Langston was to study to be an engineer, a career his father felt would benefit him more and help him make a living. After a year of studying to be an engineer Langston realized all he wanted to do was continue to write, and that the whole engineering career wasn't for him, so he decided to drop out of the program (Jackson). It was after this transition that he began writing some of his best work, such as "The Negro Speaks of Rivers", and his essay titled "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain". He then moved to Washington D.C., where he made his first break through as he finished his first book of poetry titled The Weary Blues (Isaac). He decided to go back to college and finish his education because of a scholarship he had received, so three years after he enrolled at Lincoln University he had graduated.