Literary Analysis of the poem “Song of a Dark Girl” by Langston Hughes
Poetry is one of the medium that poets convey their opinions, views and suggestions to their audiences. Poets use different styles and techniques to ensure that their messages are understood. This discussion is a critical analysis of Langston Hughes poem, “Song of a Dark Girl”.
The poet employs allusion in enhancing understanding of the setting of the poem. The poet begins the poem with the stanza, “Why down South in Dixie” (1,5,9). The use of the words south ‘Dixie’ indicates that the setting of the poem is in South America. Dixie was a famous song during the 19th century sung to celebrate the glory of the South. Therefore, using this in the introduction part of the poem sets the impression that the poem setting was in the South American. The irony in the use of the song is that whites sang it and it demeaned and patronized the African Americans. Therefore, the use of the song aims at portraying the racial discrimination and the mistreatment of the black Americans. Even though, this is not implicitly manifest, some of the stanzas portray the harsh treatment of the black Americans by the whites. Furthermore, the repetition of the stanza and Dixie makes the poem more ironic.
The word ‘song’ also carries ironic forces as well. The poem tone is developed as sad but the author opts to use the word ‘song’ associated with happiness or jubilation. The narrator is lamenting for the tragedy that befell her and yet Hughes uses song. The author could have used another word such as lamentation to match well with the tone of the poem. However, his use of the word catches the readers by surprise. Furthermore, his first line seems to portray the attractiveness of the southland but this is not the case in the rest of the poem. This style spices up the poem and makes it more appealing to the readers.
The use of the word “girl” in the title of the poem indicates that she is a young and innocent person. Therefore, this makes the death of a young lover who the narrator loved unbearable and painful experience. The effects could have been less severe if the author used “woman “instead of “girls” because the effects could not be that severe as the narrator would have managed the situation because of the experience and understanding that is how life is all about. Therefore, through this, the author portrays the innocence of the girl and the wicked power that the lynch mobs have in creating emotions in the poem.
The diction or the choice of words the author uses is simple and direct. The author’s decision to use this language is to indicate the level of education of the narrator as unsophisticated. This is demonstrated in the line “Break the heart of me” (2, 10). The order of the words is unusual and conventionally expressed. The right word order should have been, “they broke my heart”.
The repetition and capitalizing of the first letters in the first stanza is meant to indicate that the song was composed in South. The use of the word, “to across roads tree” (4) is used to symbolize and to create an image of a martyr. It symbolizes the death of Jesus Christ. The narrator therefore, wants to portray that the lynching of her lover was unfair sacrifice. The author also wants the readers to see the young man as Christ like, as he does not spell the word as “crossroads”. The narrator also describes the body hanging on the tree, a similar description on the mistreatment of Jesus Christ in the line, “bruised body high in air” (6).
The plot of the poem is about a young woman that laments on the death or lynch of her love. The setting is in the plot. The anguish and the suffering in the heart of the young woman is exemplified through the vivid language the author uses (Cicely 2). One of the stanzas which shows and symbolizes the suffering and the lamentation of the young woman is, “I asked the white Lord Jesus what was the use of prayer” (7, 8). The narrator is disillusioned to the level of questioning Jesus why her prayers could not be answered. She feels that the Lord Jesus who is supposed to be her savior has also abandoned her to wallow in despair.
In conclusion, Hughes’ creative poem projects the injustice society that lynches the young man. The young girl is mourning and is helplessness. She feels that her lover has been sacrificed. To achieve this, the author uses different literary devices such as illusion, irony, and symbolism to depict the helplessness of the girl. She fears that no one is on her side, not even Jesus Christ himself. Therefore, this poem depicts the injustices and atrocities that were done in the South. The use of black young lover aims to project the aspect of racism and mistreatment directed to the blacks.
Works cited
Cicely Richard. “Poetry Analysis Song for a Dark Girl by Langston Hughes”. http://www.humanities360.com/index.php/poetry-analysis-song-for-a-dark-girl-by- langston-hughes-9935/
Langston Hughes. “Songs for a Dark Girl.” http://www.mesacc.edu/~barmd97231/SongforaDarkGirl.html
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|
Are you looking for a similar paper or any other quality academic essay? Then look no further. Our research paper writing service is what you require. Our team of experienced writers is on standby to deliver to you an original paper as per your specified instructions with zero plagiarism guaranteed. This is the perfect way you can prepare your own unique academic paper and score the grades you deserve.
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]