POETRY ANALYSIS OF "THE NEGRO SPEAKS OF RIVERS"
by langston hughes
This poem is about the deep connection the speaker has with rivers.
The speaker mentions that they've known rivers that are very old, even
older than the blood in human veins. Their soul has become as deep
as these rivers. The speaker talks about bathing in the Euphrates river
when it was young, building a hut by the Congo river, and witnessing
the Nile and the pyramids. They also mention hearing the Mississippi
River sing when Abe Lincoln traveled down to New Orleans, and
watching it change from muddy to golden at sunset.
Connotation: Although this term usually refers solely to the emotional
overtones of word choice, for this chart the term refers to any poetic
devices, focusing on how such devices contribute to the meaning, the
effect, or both of a poem. You may consider imagery, figures of speech
(simile, metaphor, personification, symbolism, etc), point of view, and
sound devices (alliteration, onomatopoeia, rhythm, and rhyme). Identify
and explain the significance of at least 3.
Poetry uses various poetic devices to enhance its meaning and effect.
Metaphor, imagery, and alliteration are three examples of these devices.
Metaphor compares two seemingly unrelated things. Imagery uses vivid
and descriptive language to create mental pictures, evoking feelings and
making the poem more engaging. Alliteration, the repetition of consonant
sounds at the beginning of words, creates a sense of smoothness and
stealth, enhancing the poem's tone and mood. These poetic devices
enrich the meaning, evoke emotions, and enhance the reader's overall
aesthetic and auditory experience.
Metaphor:
Textual Evidence: "My soul has grown deep like the rivers."
Explanation: In this line, the metaphor compares the depth of the
speaker's soul to the depth of rivers, emphasizing how their experiences
and knowledge have enriched their soul. It adds a layer of meaning and
depth to the poem.
Imagery:
Textual Evidence: "I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young."
Explanation: This line creates a vivid mental image of the speaker bathing
in the Euphrates river during the early hours of the day. It evokes a sense
of ancient beauty and tranquility, contributing to the poem's overall effect.
by langston hughes
This poem is about the deep connection the speaker has with rivers.
The speaker mentions that they've known rivers that are very old, even
older than the blood in human veins. Their soul has become as deep
as these rivers. The speaker talks about bathing in the Euphrates river
when it was young, building a hut by the Congo river, and witnessing
the Nile and the pyramids. They also mention hearing the Mississippi
River sing when Abe Lincoln traveled down to New Orleans, and
watching it change from muddy to golden at sunset.
Connotation: Although this term usually refers solely to the emotional
overtones of word choice, for this chart the term refers to any poetic
devices, focusing on how such devices contribute to the meaning, the
effect, or both of a poem. You may consider imagery, figures of speech
(simile, metaphor, personification, symbolism, etc), point of view, and
sound devices (alliteration, onomatopoeia, rhythm, and rhyme). Identify
and explain the significance of at least 3.
Poetry uses various poetic devices to enhance its meaning and effect.
Metaphor, imagery, and alliteration are three examples of these devices.
Metaphor compares two seemingly unrelated things. Imagery uses vivid
and descriptive language to create mental pictures, evoking feelings and
making the poem more engaging. Alliteration, the repetition of consonant
sounds at the beginning of words, creates a sense of smoothness and
stealth, enhancing the poem's tone and mood. These poetic devices
enrich the meaning, evoke emotions, and enhance the reader's overall
aesthetic and auditory experience.
Metaphor:
Textual Evidence: "My soul has grown deep like the rivers."
Explanation: In this line, the metaphor compares the depth of the
speaker's soul to the depth of rivers, emphasizing how their experiences
and knowledge have enriched their soul. It adds a layer of meaning and
depth to the poem.
Imagery:
Textual Evidence: "I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young."
Explanation: This line creates a vivid mental image of the speaker bathing
in the Euphrates river during the early hours of the day. It evokes a sense
of ancient beauty and tranquility, contributing to the poem's overall effect.
