Jaylon Magee
Engl-203-12
March 21,2018
Theme of Pessimism
Many of us have heard the phase “don’t be so pessimistic!” However, during the life span
of Langston Hughes, an American poet and black intellectual, there seemed to be no other way to
be. As a very important and active figure during the Harlem Renaissance, he suffered racism and
prejudice individuals even before the blossom of the African- American culture. This leads me to
believe he used pessimism to describe the current lives and outlooks on life in the black
community in the following poems: ”song for a Dark Girl,” “Harlem,” and “Weary Blues” .
In the poem “Harlem” Hughes uses all negative views as to what will happen it someone
were to put off their dreams. He gives off the feeling that if you put your talents and aspirations
to the side something bad will happen. Nevertheless, their could be possible greater success by
deterring your dreams. In this specific poem Hughes withdraws and very possibility of any good
outcomes, therefore he gives a pessimistic perspective.
For Hughes next poem, I’d like to discuss “The Weary Blues.” Throughout this piece you
get a sensation of an old Blues song, hence the title. The blues in itself in our black culture
represents sadness to a certain extent and was used to escape the sorrow people were feeling.
The last line say’s “He slept like a rock or a man that’s dead” and in my opinion that shows the
anguish the man feels for life as if there is no hope.
Lastly, in the poem “Song for a dark Girl” Hughes releases the true reality of black
history. This piece translates to a brutal murder to a young African American. “What was the use
of prayer” stood out to me when elaborating on pessimism because it blunty says “What is the
point when there is no hope.” I take it as the desire for love was also lost when the poem stated
“Love is naked shadow on a gnarled and naked tree.
In conclusion, pessimism, “the tendency to see, anticipated or emphasized only bad or
undesirable outcomes, results,,” as defined by dictionary.com, was very evident in the three
pieces chosen to elevate by Langston Hughes. His pieces very obviously and the non-optimistic
view of black men and women all over the world.
