Symbolism in ‘The Negro Speaks of Rivers’ by Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes (1901-1967) is a famous American poet who has explained the situations of marginalized and oppressed society (The Africans) of modern America in his poetry. Many scholars and critics concede him as a “Poet Laureate of American African Experience”. His poetry generally depicts the daily life and struggles of common Black people living in Modern America. Hughes is famous for his poetry which promulgates the Harlem Renaissance Movement (HRM) which demands the rights for Black Americans equal to those granted to White Americans.

He has conveyed his message in an implicit way under the guise of symbols for he was not allowed to raise voice just like other Blacks in America. Particularly, his symbolism plays a crucial role in expressing the complexities of African American life, culture and their identity. It is a matter of common observation that his poetry and prose both deal with such themes as racial inequality, hope, injustice and resilience etc.

His poem ‘The Negro Speaks of Rivers’ connotes that the Blacks have a deep spiritual connection to the past and are very civilized in their demeanour. He compares the civilization of the Blacks with the Whites.

"I've known rivers:

I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins."

Hughes wants to say that the Blacks have been living on the earth since the very inception of human beings whereas, everyone knows, America was discovered later by Italian Columbus in 1492.

The word ‘Rivers’ symbolizes the timeless quality of the Africans. Hughes tries to remind the Americans that Africans have a long history and therefore, so called civilized formers need to shed off their notion that the latter are uncivilized.

"My soul has grown deep like the rivers."

The writer repeats the same symbol (Rivers) to show that their long history is a testimony of their peaceful civilization otherwise they have been wiped out from the face of world.

"I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset."

Hughes gives a reference from history and reminds the Americans of Abraham Lincoln who went down the Mississippi river to the South of America and visited New Orlean. He was astonished to see the nation’s largest slave market where enslaved Africans were transported by the French. Once again, it was during Lincoln’s presidency that America went into civil war (1861-1865). Africans have never been so uncivilized, history speaks.

However, the singing of ‘Mississippi’ (a river) is a symbolic representation of African Americans’ journey from slavery to their emancipation. Its muddy bosom represents the Blacks’ historical trauma of slavery and by the golden sunset Hughes means a ray of hope and transformation (Golden sunset is actually a metaphorical presentation of freedom and promise of a better future). After the civil war, about four million African slaves were liberated. This how Hughes has compared the civilized with uncivilized.