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"The Weary Blues" by Langston Hughes


 * I was not able to get this to double space but when double spaced it is 3/4 of a page

In his poem "The Weary Blues", Langston Hughes uses repetition, descriptive diction, and dialogue to show the importance and impact of Blues Music to the African-American culture. He starts off the poem by introducing the main character, an African-American man playing a piano, making it “moan with melody” with his “ebony hands on each ivory key”. The narrator observes that this man is lonely and sad, having a “melancholy tone” and “drowning a drowsy syncopated tune”. Essential, this man is playing “the weary blues”. The blues were an important part of African-American culture, and originated from the culture in the 19th century. Hughes captures the essence of its cultural impact in his poem, as “the weary blues” is a perfect way to describe not only the music but the African-American struggle as a whole. Hughes uses many elegant literary techniques such as alliteration and repetition to convey the poetic nature of the man’s situation. This in addition to a dreary tone almost makes the poem seem like a blues song in itself. Towards the end of the poem, Hughes writes, “I got the Weary Blues/And I can’t be satisfied/Got the Weary Blues/And can’t be satisfied—/ I ain’t happy no mo’/ And I wish that I had died”. The man’s plight is heart-wrenching. It is almost like it is his fate to sit there and “croon” the dismal tune, and face the struggles of his race. This poem truly is an impressive representation, both literally and figuratively, of the emotions of the African-Americans, and even evokes emotions in those that have no personal connection to the plight. The readers can feel the emotion seep out of the poem, almost as if it is music itself, crooning about a fictional man, but a very real problem. The words on the page float through our minds and ears, as if emanating from the moaning piano itself.