Langston Hughes’s work usually portrays the cruel realities confronted by impoverished and marginalized youth, significantly Black kids through the early to mid-Twentieth century. His poems and tales steadily depict the untimely deaths of those younger folks, usually resulting from societal neglect, violence, and lack of alternative. For instance, his poem “A Ballad of Landlord” illustrates the deadly penalties of substandard housing and financial hardship.
Highlighting the tragic fates of kids serves an important perform in Hughes’s writing. It exposes the systemic inequalities that contributed to their struggling and serves as a strong indictment of social injustice. By giving voice to those unvoiced victims, Hughes compels readers to confront the devastating penalties of racism and poverty. His work contributes to a broader understanding of the African American expertise throughout this period and continues to resonate with modern audiences grappling with comparable points. His highly effective imagery and stark language personalize these tragedies, making them unimaginable to disregard.