The Negro Speaks of Rivers :: Literature Analysis, Langston Hughes

â€Å"The Negro Speaks of Rivers† by Langston Hughes is a compelling poem in which Hughes explores not only his own past, but the past of the black race. As the rivers deepen over time, the Negro's soul does too; their waters eternally flow, as the black soul suffers. Analyzing the poem’s title sets a somber, yet prideful tone for this poem. The fact that the title does not say â€Å"I Speak of Rivers,† but instead, â€Å"The Negro Speaks of Rivers† (1) shows that he is not only a Negro, but that he is not one specific Negro, but in his first person commentary, he is speaking for all Negroes. However, he is not just speaking for any Negroes. Considering the allusions to â€Å"Mississippi† (9) and â€Å"Abe Lincoln† (9) are not only to Negroes but also to America, confirms that Hughes is talking for all African Americans. This poem is a proclamation on the whole of African American history as it has grown and flourished along the rivers which gave life to these people. The diction of â€Å"ancient† (3) proves once more that Hughes is talking about the history and roots of African Americans. The word ancient itself means something that is decrepit, old, and primitive, clearly a word to be used when discussing a history and a journey. This word, which was repeated twice in the passage, emphasizes that there has been a long and difficult wait for equality for blacks. That although they have been around since â€Å"ancient† (3) times, since so long before, they still are fighting for racial equality. Hughes emphasizes his message consistently throughout this poem, weaving in the most important line in the middle and end of the poem. He is representing his people. African Americans have waited and been abused by society, and this deepened and weathered their souls over time, just as a river would become deepened and weathered. Hughes’ soul, the collective soul of African Americans, has become â€Å"deep like the rivers† (5). This simile speaks that the rivers are part of the body, and contribute to this immortality that Hughes is so desperate to achieve for his people. Rivers are the earthly symbols of eternity: deep, constant, mystifying. The rivers are named in a specific order: in the order of their association with black history. By using many allusions, the context of which Hughes wants to draw attention to is evident. He begins â€Å"when dawns were young† (6), which refers to a time when blacks were used as slaves along the Euphrates in Western Asia, and ends with the Emancipation Proclamation of â€Å"Abe Lincoln† (9) when slaves were finally freed men.